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| Dalian Shide's forward Hao Haidong
(R) fights for a header during his team's away match
with Al Ittihad in Jeddah, Saudi Arab on September 21,
2004. (Agencies) |
Dalian Shide crashed out of the AFC Champions
League semi-finals with a 1-0 away loss to the Al Ittihad on Tuesday. The
Saudi Arabian club advanced to the final after winning 2-1 on
aggregate
.
The Saudi side needed only a goalless draw to advance after holding
their opponents to a 1-1 draw in China in last week's first leg but
Tukar's 68th minute effort at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in
Jeddah made certain of their place in the last four of Asia's biggest
international club competition.
The opening minutes of the return match were dominated by Dalian as the
visitors took control of the game with precise short passes in midfield as
they sought to break down the Al Ittihad defence and grab the crucial away
goal.
However, both sides failed to create any notable chances in a
disappointing first half which ended goalless.
After the break, Dalian had couple of chances to break the deadlock but
lacked the finishing touch to beat Al Ittihad goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.
 A minute into the second half, Dalian's Bulgarian import striker
Zoran Jankovic nearly broke the deadlock with a shot that went inches over
the cross bar and the Chinese team were then denied a penalty in the 55th
minute when Al Ittihad playmaker Mohammed Noor appeard to block a cross
with his hand.
Brazilian striker Sergio was on target for Al Ittihad on the hour mark
but his effort was ruled out as the assistant referee flagged the player
for offside despite TV replays
that showed him to be onside.
However, the Saudis did go in front eight minutes later as Saudi
international defender Redha Tukar took advantage of a defensive error by
the Chinese team to put the home side firmly on course for a spot in the
semi-finals.
The Chinese team poured forward in search of an equalizer to force the
game into extra time but they were unable to find a way to unlock the
Saudi defence.
Al Ittihad coach Tomislav Ivic strangely opted to make attacking
substitutions but his move nearly paid dividends in the 76th minute when
substitute Hamza Idris went close to doubling the home side's on the
counter attack as his powerful strike was well stopped by Dalian
custodian An Qi.
Ivic's side held on to their advantage and will
now take on another East Asian side in the semi-finals after Korean FA
Cup winners Chonbuk Motors hammered defending champions Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates
5-1 on aggregate.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-09-21 09:38