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Strasbourg, Boro and Marseille through in UEFA Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-25 09:16
LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Racing Strasbourg, bottom of Ligue 1 and without a
league win this season, secured their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup on
Thursday with a 1-1 draw at AS Roma. Middlesbrough and Olympique Marseille
joined them in reaching the knockout stage. Boro drew 0-0 at last season's
semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar. Marseille overcame Heerenveen 1-0 with a last-minute
penalty.
AS Roma's Shabani
Nonda (top) and Racing Strasbourg's Caric Kant(R) fight for the ball
during their UEFA Cup Group E soccer match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome
November 24, 2005. [Reuters] | Strasbourg's UEFA Cup progress has contrasted starkly with their desperate
domestic form, the French club without a win in 15 league games.
A point against Roma took them to seven points in Group E and they were full
value for the draw in the Italian capital after defender Habib Bellaid had
scored with a fine drive on 52 minutes.
Italy striker Antonio Cassano, embroiled in a contract dispute but restored
to Roma's squad, equalised 17 minutes from time after firing in Shabani Nonda's
pass.
Middlesbrough, who have seven points in Group D, soaked up plenty of AZ
pressure at a rain-lashed Alkmaardehout. AZ, who have never been beaten at home
in European competition, created the better chances and had an early Tarik
Sektioui strike ruled out for offside.
Marseille made sure of reaching the knockout stage with a late penalty from
Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo. The beaten 2004 finalists top Group F with six
points from two matches and will qualify whatever the outcome of their remaining
two games.
The home side created more opportunities but had to wait for a penalty in the
last minute after Senegal striker Mamadou Niang was brought down.
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