Haka and Xamax in control

Finland's FC Haka and Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax FC both picked up first-leg wins in tonight's UEFA Cup qualifying round ties.

Haka win
Haka overcame Croatia's HNK Hajduk Split despite conceding a goal within two minutes of the kick off at the Tehtaankenttä stadium. Hajduk forward Mario Carevic stole the ball away from Haka defender Juuso Kangaskorpi, took a couple of steps and laid on an excellent ball for the onrushing Petar Krpan to head the ball past Haka goalkeeper Panu Toivonen from ten metres. It was the first goal of the 2003/04 UEFA Cup.

Equalising blow
However, Hajduk's advantage lasted just 13 minutes. Haka defender Juha Pasoja lofted a ball over the Hajduk defence for Tommi Torkkeli, who passed to Russian Valeri Popovich to round a defender before finishing into the left corner of the net.

Influential Terehhov
Haka continued to play excellent football, with Sergei Terehhov performing well down the left flank, and it was his ball for Popovich that led to the second goal after 43 minutes. The Russian barely touched the ball in from Terehhov, but it was enough to bewilder the Hajduk defence and allow Sami Ristilä to steal through and beat goalkeeper Hrvoje Sunara.

Swiss triumph
Xamax, meanwhile, won 2-0 in Malta against Valletta FC. The home team went close on 16 minutes when captain Gilbert Agius forced visiting goalkeeper Patrick Bettoni to save, but within 60 seconds Xamax were ahead when Sébastien Zambaz's strong shot from outside the area was punched away by Valletta goalkeeper Sean Sullivan only for Joe Griffith to convert the rebound.

Lead doubled
In the 36th minute the lead was doubled as Kader Mangane headed in André Wiederkehr's free-kick. After the break, Xamax's control on the game was tightened when Agius was dismissed for retaliation, and Xamax's two-goal lead was secure.

Draw in Sarajevo
In Tuesday's other game, Bosnia-Herzegovnian league leaders FK Sarajevo had a late goal to thank for a 1-1 home draw with Serbo-Montengrin side FK Sartid. The visitors made a flying start as Marko Pantelic hit the post with a shot from the edge of the area in the fifth minute and within seconds Sartid were ahead as Nenad Milosavljevic headed in an away goal.

Close shave
Sarajevo went close on 13 minutes when Mirzet Krupinac forced Sartid goalkeeper Dragan Zilic to save. However, on 31 minutes Milosavljevic should have made the tie secure for Sartid as he went clear with only Sarajevo goalkeeper Muhamed Alain to beat but shot straight at the custodian.

Late drama
After half-time, both teams had their chances, with Pantelic shooting over and Sarajevo's Alen Bašic having an effort stopped by Zilic. However, with only six minutes left Zilic was beaten as Safet Nadarevic headed in Senad Repuh's cross from the corner to leave the tie level.

Coaches' reaction
After the game, Sarajevo coach Husref Musemic said: "The visitors scored a goal very early, but we managed to tie the result and now have a chance to surprise the football fans in Smederevo." His confident opposite number Ratko Dostanic declared: "I am satisfied with the result, although we were close to victory. We made one mistake and FK Sarajevo scored a goal. I think we are going into the next round."

Remaining ties
The remaining 38 first legs will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, with all return legs taking place in two weeks' time.