By Justin Palmer
ALKMAAR, Netherlands, May 5 - Sporting Lisbon
reached their first European final since 1964 after a dramatic
goal from defender Miguel Garcia two minutes into stoppage time
of extra time sank AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
Dutch side Alkmaar won the semi-final second leg 3-2 but
Sporting went through on the away goals rule after the tie
finished 4-4 on aggregate. The Portuguese team now meet Russian
army club CSKA Moscow in Lisbon on May 18.
"It is the highlight of my career to reach the final but we
have not won anything yet," Sporting coach Jose Peseiro told
reporters.
"We always had belief we could pull through as our team
spirit is such that until the final whistle we are never beaten.
Knowing that we would play the final in our own stadium kept us
going."
Three years after Feyenoord won the UEFA Cup in their own De
Kuip stadium, Sporting will bid to match that feat at their Jose
Alvalade ground.
It was a second successive semi-final heartbreak in as many
days for a Dutch side after PSV Eindhoven's Champions League
defeat by AC Milan, who also went through with a last-gasp goal
on Wednesday.
Garcia's header from a right-wing corner put Sporting
through at AZ's tiny but atmospheric Alkmaarderhout ground.
Kew Jaliens had volleyed AZ 3-1 ahead on the night four
minutes into the second extra period.
AZ were quick out of the blocks, Kenneth Perez ending a mazy
run with a low shot that was saved at the second attempt by
Ricardo.
BULLET HEADER
Perez made no mistake after six minutes, meeting a cross
from Moroccan international Tarik Sektioui with a bullet header
from close range to put the hosts 1-0 up on the night.
The AZ scorer was then denied a second goal by the woodwork,
his well-struck free kick from 25 metres striking the crossbar
with Ricardo rooted to the spot.
The Portugal keeper was kept busy in a torrid first half
hour for Sporting, sprawling low to his right to beat away
captain Denny Landzaat's fierce effort.
Sporting, who beat Hungary's MTK Budapest in the 1964
European Cup Winners' Cup final replay, weathered the storm and
Brazilian striker Liedson created an opening with a sharp turn
before forcing Henk Timmer into his first save.
The Portuguese team finished the half on top and snatched an
equaliser in stoppage time. Liedson forced Timmer to tip over
his lob and from the resulting corner AZ failed to clear,
allowing the Brazilian to sweep home.
Liedson, with another sharp turn and shot, continued
Sporting's momentum after the break as the tireless running of
Rodolph Douala proved a constant threat.
The introduction of substitute Stein Huysegems breathed new
life into AZ, though, and the front man made it 2-1 with 11
minutes left.
Barry van Galen put Sektioui through and his mishit shot
fell kindly for Huysegems to fire into an unguarded net.
AZ have never lost a home tie in European competition, a
sequence lasting 20 games, but that will be of little
consolation to coach Co Adriaanse's side.
Timmer said: "This is the worst scenario you can
imagine...we really deserved to be in the final.
"I think everyone who saw this match enjoyed it...we played
a superb match and it is bitter to concede the decisive goal
with seconds remaining. All our efforts didn't prove enough."
AZ defender Barry Opdam said: "This is terrible....we came
so close and then you watch the clock and see you are already in
stoppage time and then concede a goal from a dead ball
situation."