Goalkeeper Brad Friedel conceded three goals as Blackburn tied CSKA Sofia in the second leg of their UEFA Cup clash, in which Blackburn prevailed on away goals.
In England's Worthington League Cup, Jovan Kirovski's Premier League club, Birmingham, received a scare from Third Division Leyton Orient. A hat trick by former Columbus Crew forward Stern John, however, gave Birmingham a 3-2 victory.
UEFA CUP
* Brad Friedel (Blackburn, PL) at CSKA Sofia (3-3)
Started: 90 minutes. Blackburn advances to the second round on away goals. The teams tied, 1-1, in the first leg at Blackburn, which held a 3-0 lead in the second leg until the 66th minute. The tying goal came on a penalty kick.
WORTHINGTON LEAGUE CUP
* Jovan Kirovski (Birmingham, PL) at Leyton Orient (D3), 3-2.
Started: 70 minutes. Kirovski started at forward alongside Stern John, who scored all three Birmingham goals. Kirovski left the game with his team ahead, 2-1, and John completed his hat trick in the 77th minute before Leyton made the ending interesting with Jabo Ibehre's 82nd-minute strike.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
John O'Brien (Ajax) at Rosenborg (Norway), 0-0.
DNP – injured. This result did not help Ajax's cause, which now sits tied with Inter Milan for second place in Group D of the first phase. Lyon, surprise winners over Inter Wednesday are in first place with six points.