UEFA CUP: 1/4 FINAL

AZ Alkmaar edged into the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup after they won through on aggregate against a tough Villarreal side, depsite drawing 1-1 in this second leg encounter in Holland. Newcastle United, who at one stage of their Uefa Cup quarter-final tie against Sporting Lisbon led 2-0 on aggregate but finished up losing 4-2, had only themselves to blame said goalscorer Kieron Dyer. The line-up for the semi-finals of this year’s Uefa Cup was decided on a night of drama that saw Auxerre win 2-0 but exit 4-2 to CSKA Moscow on aggregate, Newcastle throw away a two-goal lead to crash out 4-2 to Sporting Lisbon, Parma progress on the away goal rule at Austria Vienna’s expense, and AZ Alkmaar overcome Villarreal on aggregate. The Gialloblu held Austria Vienna to a goalless draw at the Tardini to qualify for the semi finals of the Uefa Cup thanks to the first leg’s 1-1 score.