'Selfish' Leeds denied Viduka's services

AUSTRALIAN coach Raul Blanco has branded Leeds United as "selfish" and refused to release striker Mark Viduka, even though Australia cannot progress to the next stage of the Olympic tournament.

Branco, who saw his side lose 3-2 to reigning Olympic champions Nigeria, which followed a 1-0 defeat for the host nation against Italy, said: "Leeds United have been selfish and shown us no respect, so why should I show them any now?

"Mark Viduka is a member of the Australian Olympic squad and we have another match on Tuesday against Honduras. Mark will be in that match."

Injury-hit Leeds, who lost 2-1 at home yesterday to Ipswich, face AC Milan at Elland Road in the Champions League on Wednesday.

They have consistently riled the Australians by refusing to release fellow Australian Harry Kewell in the past.

Kewell was injured and missed the Olympics but Viduka joined the squad only two days before Australia lost their opening match 1-0 to Italy.

oTwo late goals from Heiko Herrlich, one from the penalty spot, gave Borussia Dortmund a 3-2 victory at Hamburg to put them top of the Bundesliga.

Pressure, meanwhile, mounted on under-fire Bayer Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum after his side crumbled to a 2-1 home defeat to bottom club Rostock, who had not previously scored this season.

Hamburg went behind to an Otto Addo goal after half an hour, but went 2-1 ahead with goals either side of half-time from Bosnian midfielder Sergej Barbarez.

However, Herrlich's 76th minute strike and his penalty five minutes later, his fifth and six goals of the season, snatched victory for Dortmund.

oEx-Italian international Roberto Baggio made his debut for Serie A newcomers Brescia in yesterday's Italian Cup match against Juventus, which ended 0-0.

In another first-leg second-round match, defending champions Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw in Genoa by Serie B's Sampdoria.

Chilean striker Marcelo Salas put Lazio in front after eight minutes. But a deflected shot by Francesco Flachi gave the home team a deserved equalizer. Lazio defender Guerino Gottardi was sent off.

Meanwhile, Baggio made a bright start to his Brescia career. The 33-year-old, who has a career record of 266 goals in 585 matches, joined Brescia last week after failing to extend his contract with Inter Milan.

Alessandro Del Piero extended his scoring drought as he missed several chances for Juventus, while French teammate David Trezeguet was also off target.

But in the closing minutes four players - two from each side - were red carded and Brescia's temperamental coach Carlo Mazzone was also sent off by referee Stefano Braschi.

The other first-leg games in the Italian Cup are scheduled for today, with the second legs due to be played between September 22 and 24.

oBarcelona suffered a 3-1 league defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao after French goalkeeper Richard Philippe Dutruel was sent off yesterday.

Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert had put the Catalan side ahead in the 26th minute, but Bilbao equalised through Aitor Larrazabal just before half time.

After Dutruel was red carded, Larrazabal scored from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. Francisco Yeste Navarro netted Bilbao's third in injury time.

Reigning first division champions Deportivo La Coruna beat Racing Santander 3-0 with goals from midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron, Manuel Pablo Garcia Diaz and Francisco Javier Gonzalez.

The emphatic victory put Deportivo back at the top of the league, at least until today's remaining games are played.

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