Sporting take slender advantage

Newcastle’s conquerors Sporting Lisbon kept on course to reach the UEFA Cup final on their home ground after a 2-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their semi-final at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

The Portuguese team, who also accounted for Middlesbrough before beating the Magpies in the quarter-finals, took a lead into the second leg thanks to a spectacular 25-yard strike from Chile international Mauricio Pinilla 10 minutes from time.

AZ, who beat Rangers in the group stage earlier this season, grabbed the lead as star midfielder Denny Landzaat scored what could prove to be a vital away goal in the 36th minute, firing a first-time shot past Ricardo.

The lead lasted a matter of seconds for the Dutch side though as the pacy Cameroonian striker Roudolphe Douala took advantage of a lucky deflection to drive a shot past AZ goalkeeper Henk Timmer.

Sporting forged ahead through substitute Pinilla, who was booked for removing his shirt in celebration.

In the night’s other semi-final first leg, Parma were held to a goalless draw by CSKA Moscow at the Ennio Tardini stadium.

The Italian club are in real danger of being relegated from Serie A but at least avoided conceding an away goal to the Russian side, who dropped down into the UEFA Cup after failing to reach the Champions League knockout stages.