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Late Barcelona goals knockout Udinese
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-08 10:05
The dangerous Giuly squeezed a shot from a tight angle against the outside of
the post with De Sanctis oddly having appeared to let the ball go out -- another
let off for the Italians who were living dangerously at the back and failing to
give enough support to Iaquinta in attack.
A goalless draw suited Udinese though and their priority, after the break,
remained protecting their defence rather than pushing men forward.
Barca went close again on the hour when Gabri delivered a superb defence
splitting pass into the path of the overlapping Juliano Belletti but the full
back fired his low shot into the side netting.
The game drifted towards a goalless draw with chances rare -- Udinese sub
David Di Michele failing to make the most of a rare opportunity when he
over-elaborated a one-on-one with keeper Jorquera.
Then, moments after a premature celebratory 'Mexican wave' had gone around
the stadium, Udinese failed to clear a cross and Ezquerro fired home through a
crowded area.
The Italians threw men forward in desperation and were caught on the break
with Ezquerro racing down the left and slipping the ball into the path of
Iniesta who converted with ease and ended any dream of the last 16 for Serse
Cosmi's side.
Ajax hold Arsenal after Henry penalty miss
LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Arsenal and Ajax Amsterdam were left to count the
cost of a meaningless, goalless draw in the Champions League at Highbury on
Wednesday.
Thierry Henry's penalty miss meant Arsenal failed to round off their
qualifying campaign with a sixth win out of six but of more concern to manager
Arsene Wenger was a leg injury sustained by Spain striker Jose Antonio Reyes.
Reyes will miss the Premier League match at Newcastle United on Saturday
while Ajax's Czech captain Zdenek Grygera also faces a layoff after suffering
concussion. He lasted only 15 minutes of Wednesday's game.
Arsenal, who had already won Group B and rested several first-choice players,
finished on 16 points out of a possible 18.
Four-times former European champions Ajax, who had also already qualified,
took second spot on 11 points.
"Reyes doesn't look too good," Wenger told reporters. "He got a kick on his
thigh. He will certainly be out for Saturday."
Like Arsenal, Ajax are well off the pace in their domestic league and can ill
afford absentees.
Coach Danny Blind said of his captain: "He has a head injury. His face is
very pale but I hope he will be able to travel back with us."
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