England’s Young Lions remain unbeaten; Hero-Howson sends Leeds to Wembley
Wales U21 0 - England U21 2 (International friendly, May 15, 2008) Adam Johnson was tripped by Neil Eardley in the box, and Tom Huddlestone drilled home the spot kick for England’s opener. Minutes later, Theo Walcott cut in from the left and surged across the face of the box before seeing his shot take a wicked deflection to leave Wayne Hennessey stranded.
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Carlisle 0 - Leeds 2 (Agg. 2-3) (League One playoff semi-final second-leg, May 15, 2008) Youngster Jonny Howson was the hero for Leeds, scoring both goals to send Gary McAllister’s team to Wembley. The opener came after Dougie Freedman crossed to Howson, who drilled the ball between two defenders. Howson stole the plaudits bagging a sensational injury-time winner, Freedman released Howson who slipped an inch-perfect shot inside the post for a crucial second of the game.
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NEC 6 - NAC 0 (Eredivisie UEFA Cup playoff first-leg, May 15, 2008) Olsson volleyed home the opening goal in the 14th minute and doubled the lead 12 minutes later when he nodded in a cross from El Akchaoui. Holman added a third early in the second half before Jeremain Lens bagged two more in the space of four minutes. El Akchaoui converted a 71st minute penalty to complete the rout, while NAC Breda had Tyrone Loran sent off.
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San Lorenzo 1 - LDU de Quito 1 (Copa Libertadores, May 15, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orion, gifted the opener when he lost control while juggling the ball and LDU’s Bieler had the simple job of touching the ball home. Adrian Gonzalez curled a 30-yard free-kick into the top right-hand corner to equalise for San Lorenzo three minutes later.
CF America 2 - Santos 0 (Copa Libertadores, May 15, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Cabanas put America ahead in the 24th minute, squeezing his shot between the keeper’s legs and a defender on the line. Cabanas grabbed a second in the 72nd minute when he broke free of the Santos defence and placed his shot wide of Costa. Santos’ Kleber Pereira had a controversial goal disallowed for offside in the 89th minute.
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Colorado Rapids 2 - Real Salt Lake 0 (MLS, May 15, 2008) The Rapids eased past RSL, Omar Cummings scoring in the 65th minute and Christian Gomez adding a goal from the spot with eight minutes left in the game. The Rapids, who have scored all but one of their 13 goals this season exclusively in the second half, moved into first place in the Western Conference.
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Toluca 1 - San Luis 1 (Mexican Clausura playoff, May 15, 2008)
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Spartak Moscow 1 - Saturn Moscow 0 (Russian Premier Liga, May 15, 2008)
