Aussie success in the UEFA Cup

Seven clubs featuring Australian players have advanced to the next round of the UEFA Cup, after the second legs of the first round were completed overnight. Qantas Socceroo midfielder Mile Sterjovski got himself on the scoresheet, with the only goal in FC Basel’s away win against Macedonian side Rabotnicki Kometal.

Seven clubs featuring Australian players have advanced to the next round of the UEFA Cup, after the second legs of the first round were completed overnight. Qantas Socceroo midfielder Mile Sterjovski got himself on the scoresheet, with the only goal in FC Basel-s away win against Macedonian side Rabotnicki Kometal.

Other players to taste victory were Marco Bresciano (Palermo), Vince Grella (Parma), Jacob Burns (Wisla Krakow), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers) and Ryan Griffiths (Rapid Bucharest).

The only player not to taste an aggregate win was Qantas Young Socceroo David Williams, but the fact he came on at half time for Brondby in their 2-2 home draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, was a testament to his development and how the club views his value to the team.

Sterjovski meanwhile came off the bench and scored the only goal for FC Basel, although the tie was never in doubt after they won the first leg 6-2. His national team mate Scott Chipperfield remained on the bench.

The highlight tie of the round, featured Italian high flyers Palermo against English side West Ham, who featured both their new Argentinian players Tevez and Macherano. However with Bresciano playing a full game, Palermo blitzed the Hammers 3-0 and go through 4-0 on aggregate.

Qantas Socceroo pair Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton both played full games, as Blackburn Rovers won 2-0 at home against SV Salzburg from Austria, with Rovers winning the tie 4-2 on aggregate.

Our most recent addition to the national team ranks Ryan Griffiths was also in the action coming off the bench to help Rapid Bucharest to a nailbiting 2-1 in extra time. Rapid actually were 1-0 down at the end of 90 minutes that tied it all up, but Rapid scored twice in extra time to win 3-1 on aggregate.

Qantas Socceroo Vince Grella was not in the Parma squad that won 1-0 at home against Rubin Kazan and 2-0 on aggregate, while Jacob Burns (injured) would have been delighted when his team came back from a goal down after the first game against Iraklis, to win the tie in the dying minutes 2-0.

Finally, Qantas Socceroo Craig Moore watched from the bench, as his Newcastle United team won 2-1 at home and 3-1 on aggregate against Latvian side Levadia Tallinn.