Kewell Closer To European Glory

Qantas Socceroo Harry Kewell is just one step away from achieving a long-term goal of achieving European glory, after Liverpool beat Chelsea in their Champions League semi final second-leg match at Anfield overnight, to advance to the final later this month in Istanbul, Turkey.

Qantas Socceroo Harry Kewell is just one step away from achieving a long-term goal of achieving European glory, after Liverpool beat Chelsea in their Champions League semi final second-leg match at Anfield overnight, to advance to the final later this month in Istanbul, Turkey.

Kewell came on with 17 minutes of play remaining, as Liverpool were desperately holding onto a one-goal lead, after Luis Garcia had opened the scoring after only five minutes.

The Australian striker narrowly missed out on a trip to the European club showpiece match, when Leeds United were beaten in the semi finals by Valencia in 2001. He will be the first Australian international to play in a Champions League final, although Australian-raised Craig Johnston (played for England) was a member of the 1984 & 1985 Liverpool teams that made the final of the then European Cup.

After the first leg was drawn 0-0, Liverpool got off to a sensational start, when Stephen Gerrard played a superb ball, through to Milan Baros, who managed to lob the ball over Petr Cech, who subsequently bundled the Czech striker down. With Garcia set to pounce the referee allowed the Spanish midfielder to play on and he prodded the ball goalwards from close range. The ball, according to the linesman, had cleared the line, before it was desperately cleared away by Chelsea.

From that moment on, it was a battle of wills, as Liverpool harassed Chelsea, who struggled for long periods to create any decent chances. Chelsea though did have their moments in the second half, but Liverpool managed to hang on and will play either AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven in the final on May 25.

On the other side of the Mersey, Everton manager David Moyes has breathed a sigh of relief, after scans revealed no serious damage to Qantas Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill-s back.

Cahill was forced from the field against Fulham last weekend after just 13 minutes and feared he may miss the influential Aussie for the remainder of the season. He is likely to miss this weekend-s clash against Newcastle United at Goodison Park, but Moyes is hopeful he will be available for the final two matches against Arsenal and Bolton.

Good news also for Qantas Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, as he is likely to return from a back injury for the final two games of the season.

Middlesbrough face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, in a game that could well decide which team will take the last place for English teams in the UEFA Cup. Both teams are level on points, although Tottenham have a one goal better goal difference.

Schwarzer will replace Qantas Under 23 goalkeeper Brad Jones, who has conceded only three goals in five games in Schwarzer-s absence.