Martins give Inter cup edge
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-13 09:44

Inter Milan are well placed to reach the final of the Italian Cup after snatching a 1-1 draw away to Cagliari in the first leg of their semi-final.

Inter's Obafemi Martins of Nigeria, right, celebrates after scoring with his teammate Kiily Gonzalez of Argentina during thei Italy's Cup soccer match against Cagliari in Cagliari, Italy, Thursday May 12, 2005. [AP]

Cagliari took a 50th minute lead when former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola curled a free kick into the top corner after Inter keeper Fabian Carini had handled the ball outside the penalty area.

But the visitors grabbed a precious away goal less than 60 seconds later when Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins bundled the ball home after Sinisa Mihajlovic's right-wing corner had caused panic in the Cagliari defence.

Despite spending close to 300 million euros on players in the last decade, Inter have not won a trophy since 1998 when they lifted the UEFA Cup. On Wednesday, Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese.

French defender Philippe Mexes gave Roma a 37th minute lead, rising high at the back post to head home Antonio Cassano's crossed free-kick.

But Udinese equalised five minutes from time when a 25-yard drive from defender Valerio Bertotto flew into the top corner.

Roma, Italian champions in 2001, have endured a difficult season and are desperate for cup success to lift some of the gloom hanging over them.

They were knocked out in the first round of the Champions League and are currently languishing in 14th place in Serie A, just four points clear of third-from-bottom Chievo with three games remaining.

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