My Naija News - Brits Held to Champions League Draws

You are here:Home

Brits Held to Champions League Draws

Written by Adeleke Afolayan

Thursday, 18 September 2008

Manchester United began its defence of the UEFA Champions League on a low-key note with a goalless draw at home to Villarreal in Group E while fellow English side Arsenal held Group G rivals Dynamo Kyiv to a 1-1 draw in Ukraine.

The Red Devils saw talisman Cristiano Ronaldo make a second half appearance after about two months on the sidelines but his return made no difference to a barren night on the scoresheet.

Ji Sung Park had a 70th minute effort cleared off the line, same fate befell Darren Fletcher earlier in the encounter while John Evans saw his diving header come off the post late on.

The result from Old Trafford left Group E teams all on an identical record as Celtic was held to a goalless draw by Aalborg in Glasgow.

Arsenal meanwhile held on to a 1-1 draw and come out of Eastern Europe with a point for the first time after four attempts courtesy of a William Gallas equaliser in the 88th minute after Ishmael Bangura put Kyiv ahead from the penalty spot.

Arsenal share second spot with the 1999 semi-finalist following FC Porto's 3-1 win at home to Turkish side Fenerbahçe, with Lucho Gonzalez and L.Lopez in among the goals for the Portuguese champions.

In other results, Italian giants Juventus edged UEFA Cup and European Super Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg 1-0 in Group H thanks to an exellent Alessandro Del Piero free kick while Real Madrid top the group following a 2-0 win over BATE Borisov.

Bayern Munich top Group F following a 1-0 win at Steaua Bucharest that had a goal disallowed while Olympique Lyon came from the dead to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Fiorentina.

Quote this article on your site | Views: 205 | Print | E-mail

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to Refresh your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]