Kewell goal not enough to save Galatasaray

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There are no more Australian players left in major European competitions with both Harry Kewell and Michael Beauchamp on losing sides overnight in the EUFA Cup.

Kewell scored from the penalty spot late in the first half as Galatasaray looked on track to secure a win over Germany-s Hamburg. However Hamburg came storming back from a 2-0 deficit to win the match 3-2 and go through 4-3 on aggregate.

Beauchamp was again part of AaB-s (Aalborg BK) side that went out 4-3 on penalties to England-s Manchester City, after winning the return leg 2-0.

In Istanbul, Kewell put Galatasaray in front in the 42nd minute, hitting his penalty straight and high after Milan Baros was fouled in the penalty box. Kewell, played as a stand-in central defender.

Baros made it 2-0 soon after the break and it looked as though Gala was on its way to the quarter finals. But up stepped Jose Paolo Guerrero to score twice in a three minute spell on the hour and Hamburg were now in front on the away goals rule.

With Galatasaray pressing forward in the dying stages in search of the winner, it was Hamburg that grabbed the winning goal in the 90th minute through Ivica Olic.

In Aalborg, Beauchamp played a full game, as AaB produced a stirring finish to score twice in the last five minutes and send the tie into extra time and ultimately to penalties. But it was English side that kept their nerve best in the shootout, with Shay Given proving the hero saving two AaB spot kicks.

Both Kewell and Beauchamp are returning to Australia next week to play in the crunch World Cup qualifer against Uzbekistan in Sydney on April 1.

Tickets for the match are still available from Ticketek. To purchase your tickets, go to www.ticketek.com.au or phone on 132 849 or they can be purchased from all Ticketek outlets.

A win in the match will see Australia almost qualified for its second successive FIFA World Cup finals appearance, following on from Germany 2006.