Dalian Shide crashed out in AFC Champions League
(footballasia.com)
Updated: 2004-09-22 08:49

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.

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