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Hiddink earns first Champions League win
Published: 26 February, 2009, 00:49
AFP Photo / Adrian Dennis
TAGS: Sport, Sports, Hiddink, Football
Russia’s coach, Guus Hiddink, has earned his first victory with Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. The blues beat the Italian team, Juventus, 1-0 at Stamford bridge in the last 32 of the competition.
The hosts took the lead on 12 minutes when Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, making his 50th appearance in the tournament, received a pass from Salomon Kalou and shot past Juve keeper Gianlugi Buffon.
It was a tide game in the first half as both teams tried to pay maximum attention to defence.
And nothing changed after the break, though Chelsea managed to secure the vital score, which puts them in a strong position ahead of the second leg to be held in Turin on March 10.
Guus Hiddink took a part-time position with Chelsea in February. He’ll coach the London club until the end of the Premier League season and will retire in May to concentrate on his duties with the Russian team.
It was Hiddink’s second game with the team – and he won both. Chelsea also defeated Aston Villa 1-0 in the English championship.
Since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 the club has won all domestic tournaments, including the Premier League titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06, but failed to achieve the same success in Europe.
The Blues came close to claming the Champions League last year but went down on penalties to Manchester United during the final held in Moscow.
Sporting Lisbon 0-5 Bayern Munich
The only Russian left in the Champions League, Marat Izmailov, seems to be leaving the tournament after the first round of playoffs. His club, Sporting Lisbon, needs a miracle to progress after they were trashed 5-0 on home soil by Bayern Munich. Franck Ribéry and Luca Toni both scored twice and Miroslav Klose added another goal.
Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool
In the clash of Spanish coaches, Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez triumphed over Huande Ramos from Real Madrid. The only goal at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital came 8 minutes before the final whistle as Yossi Benayoun used his head to redirect Fábio Aurélio’s free-kick into the net.
Villarreal 1-1 Panathinaikos
Another Spanish side, Villarreal was the full right to be upset with a home draw against Panathinaikos despite the fact that the Greek team took the lead first after a great shot from captain Giorgos Karagounis. The hosts dominated the game but suffered from poor finishing and could only equalize from a doubtful penalty scored by Giuseppe Rossi.
20.02.2009, 17:14
CSKA stars linked with Chelsea moveChelsea's new part-time manager Guus Hiddink may be planning a raid on some of Russia's top footballing talents, according to British media reports. |
27.02.2009, 00:38
Russian clubs march to UEFA Cups last 16Both Russian clubs taking part in the UEFA Cup have progressed to the final 16 positions of the tournament. CSKA were stronger then Aston Villa and Zenit outplayed the hosts in Stuttgart. |
