Boycott threat

SARS outbreak could affect Asian Champions League semis

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- War in Iraq didn't stop Chinese champion Dalian Shide from traveling to the United Arab Emirates for an Asian Champions League semifinal against Al Ain, but a killer flu-like illness might prevent the UAE club from reciprocating.

On the eve of Wednesday's semifinal in Dubai, Al Ain coach Bruno Metsu said he wouldn't go to China for the return match due to an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which has killed more than 100 people and infected thousands worldwide.

Metsu, who guided Senegal to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last year before quitting to join the United Arab Emirate league champions, says the match should be relocated, the Asian Football Confederation reported in a media release.

"It's bad out there and it would be unwise for anyone to travel to such places when the situation is not under control," Metsu was quoted saying.

After the first leg at Sheikh Tahnon Stadium, the return match is scheduled for the People's Stadium in Dalian, northeast China, on April 23.

"I wouldn't risk going to China whatever the outcome of Wednesday's match," Metsu said.

The Frenchman appealed to the AFC and FIFA, soccer's governing body, to switch the Dalian match to a neutral venue.

"That's the best they could do for the safety of all the players. I feel the governing body for the sport should look into this matter more seriously and feel for everyone's safety from this killer disease."

Metsu's remarks overshadowed the semifinals in the inaugural Asian Champions League, which was introduced this season with prize money of US$3 million.

In Wednesday's other semifinal, Thai champion BEC Tero Sasana was hosting Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan.

The SARS outbreak has already forced the Asian federation to postpone a regional qualifying series for the women's soccer World Cup -- due to be held in China in September and October -- and delay two qualifying matches for the 2004 Olympics.

While China has claimed cases of SARS were declining in the southern province of Guangdong, the virus' likely birthplace, infection numbers climbed steadily elsewhere and some experts in neighboring Hong Kong feared the crisis will only worsen.

The known global death toll rose to at least 103 when Hong Kong health officials announced two new fatalities on Tuesday. It has infected more than 2,600 people in more than dozen countries.

Meanwhile, the heat in UAE was of more concern for Dalian Shide than the U.S.-led war in nearby Iraq.

"I don't care where we play but we play to win," Dalian coach Milorad Kosanovic was quoted saying by the AFC. "This has been our approach over the last three years and that's how we take every game.

The return of Bulgarian forward Zoran Jankovic from national duties was a boost for Dalian in the absence through injuries of Chinese international Li Ming and Yugoslav Srdjan Bajcetic.

"Obviously I'll miss the two experienced players and a couple more. We were doubtful of Jankovic due to injury but it seems he has recovered in time.

"It's an important game for both teams but more important to us because we have won everything in China and it's time to win something from outside the country," added Kosanovic. "That's why this game is special to us."

Meanwhile, BEC-Tero, the two-time champion of Thailand's premier league, is under intense domestic pressure to repeat the achievements of the now-defunct club Thai Farmers Bank, which won back-to-back Asian Club Championship titles in 1993 and 1994.

Pakhtakor was the first Uzbek team to advance so far in a major Asian club competition.

"It will be tough for us against Pakhtakor as they have physical advantage," said BEC-Tero midfielder, the dyed-blond Terdsak Jaiman.

"Getting a win in the first leg is essential. I think, we can reach the final if we can get a result in Bangkok," added Terdsak, who scored two goals in last month's quarterfinal round, including the decider in the last match against China's Shanghai Shenhua.

The first-leg will be played at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. The return match will be played April 22 at the 55,000-capacity Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent.

BEC-Tero, dubbed "Fire Dragon," performed above expectations to overcome South Korea's Taejon Citizen in the preliminary round, and hold favorite Kashima Antlers of Japan to a draw.

However, the recent slip-up in Thailand's premier league -- with the team scoring only one goal in the last three matches -- cast doubts on its future in the AFC Champions League.

Meanwhile, Pakhtakor has shown its mettle even though it is the only team in the last four which had to compete in the qualifying round.

The two-time Uzbek national league champion's superb home record helped it survive a grueling series of six matches against Jordan's Al Wihdat, Qatar's Al Etehad and Al Ahli of the UAE in the group stages.

The Uzbek team posted won all four of its opening match in the quarterfinal phase. The free-flowing style of Pakhtakor, which has been rarely found in the former Soviet club side, is expected to produce a lot of shots on goal.

"It's a great honor to be Uzbekistan's first representatives in the AFC Champions League semifinals. We hope we can do well against the Thai team," said Pakhtakor coach Viktor Djalilov, who was recently named Uzbekistan's coach of the year.

 

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