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Cassano debut goal gives Real Cup advantage
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-19 09:24
MADRID, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Italy striker Antonio Cassano scored four minutes
into his Real Madrid debut to give them a 1-0 win over Real Betis in the first
leg of their King's Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
Real Madrid's
Antonio Cassano of Italy (C) looks at the ball next to Real Betis' Antonio
Doblas (L) and Sergio Ramos before scoring during their Spanish King's cup
soccer match quarter-final first leg at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium
in Seville January 18, 2006. [Reuters] | Holders
Betis had looked the more dangerous side until substitute Cassano's 65th-minute
goal in an intense match in Seville with few chances.
The former AS Roma striker replaced Roberto Soldado after an hour, just
before Capi saw his goalbound header cleared from under Real's bar by the head
of Brazilian defender Cicinho.
Guti's free kick four minutes later was headed high into the area. Toni
Doblas came out to clear but the Betis keeper flapped at the ball with his
attempted punch and it dropped at Cassano's feet for the simplest of tap-ins.
Cassano told reporters: "I am delighted with the goal but the victory for the
team is much more important."
The result makes it three wins from three in all competitions for Juan Ramon
Lopez Caro's improving side and leaves Betis with all the work to do in the
second leg at the Bernabeu.
In the day's other quarter-final first leg, Espanyol won 2-0 at Cadiz thanks
to a 51st-minute goal by new signing Walter Pandiani and a fine individual
effort from Fredson near the end.
Deportivo Coruna take on Valencia at home on Thursday.
SPIRITED FIGHTBACK
In their delayed last-16 second leg, Real Zaragoza survived a spirited
fight-back from Atletico Madrid to draw 2-2 and book a quarter-final showdown
with league leaders Barcelona.
Zaragoza progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
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