Soccer-Late Cassano strike saves Roma against Hajduk
( 2003-11-07 09:01) (Agencies)
A last-minute goal by
striker Antonio Cassano earned AS Roma a precious but laboured 1-0 victory
against Hajduk Split in a UEFA Cup second round, first leg match on Thursday.
The home side dominated throughout, cut couldn't find the knockout blow
against their unfancied Croatian opponents until the 90th minute, when striker
John Carew nodded a high ball into the path of Cassano, who clipped it into the
goal.
"At times they had 10 players back in the box," Roma coach Fabio
Capello told reporters.
"When a team plays like that it's difficult to score. Fortunately we
managed it, though we could have been more accurate in front of goal."
Despite starting with several first team regulars on the bench,
including Cassano and defender Cristian Chivu, Roma easily controlled Hajduk but
lacked urgency and wasted a number of chances to take the lead.
The danger of their casual approach became clear in the 34th minute
when 21-year-old Roma keeper Carlo Zotti fumbled a skidding free kick into the
path of visiting striker Petar Krpan, who blazed his shot over the bar.
The introduction of Cassano immediately after the break injected pace
into Roma's attack, but failed to break the deadlock as Carew headed a cross
wide and defender Christian Panucci drove a close-range shot into the side
netting.
As the seconds counted down, Roma's movements became less precise and
the prospects of a home win faded until Cassano saved his team at the
death.
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