AZ Alkmaar Move Six Points Clear in Holland; Fenerbahce Close 2008 with a Win

AZ Alkmaar 2, Utrecht 0 (Eredivisie, Dec. 19, 2008)

AZ moved six points clear at the top of the table, Mounir El Hamdaoui collected the ball just outside the box, shifted the ball to the right, and scoring with a bullet in the top corner. Demy de Zeeuw sealed the win with a last minute solo effort, bursting down the left and firing the ball through the keeper..

Fenerbahce 2, Konyaspor 1 (Super Lig, Dec. 19, 2008)

A horrendous error from the home keeper gifted Fener the lead and a tame punch from the number one rebounded off to the chest of Onder Turaci for the opener. A minute later it was two as Guiza teed up Deivid de Souza for a simple second. The hosts pulled a goal back in the second half through Cihan’s strike.

Newcastle Jets 4, Melbourne Victory 2 (A-League, Dec. 19, 2008)

The Jets ran out comfortable winners after Matt Thompson’s hat-trick and a Jin-Hyung Song goal gave the hosts a 4-nil lead. Late goals from Danny Allsopp and Ney Fabiano were little more than a consolation for the Victory.

Wellington Phoenix 1, Central Coast Mariners 0 (A-League, Dec. 19, 2008)

Shane Smeltz was the match-winner for the Phoenix scoring the only goal after just one minute 26 seconds.

Iran 2, China 0 (Four Nations Cup, Dec. 19, 2008)

A penalty goal late in the first half by Mohammed Seyed Salehi and a Pejman Nouri goal in the second half sealed the victory for Team Melli.

Oman 2, Ecuador 0 (Four Nations Cup, Dec. 19, 2008)

A goal in each half from Rabia and Al Hawsani gave the hosts the win.