体坛英语新闻：Barca coach praises Iniesta for Champs League heroics

MADRID, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised his goal scoring hero Andres Iniesta after his side sealed a berth for the European Champions League final in Rome in a dramatic and controversial manner.

    Iniesta scored from outside the box in the 93rd minute of the game that was played in Chelsea's Stamford Bridge Stadium.

    It meant the game ended 1-1, which was enough to send Barcelona through on away goals following a 0-0 draw in the Nou Camp last week.

    However, the Chelsea players were furious at the performance of Norwegian referee Tom Henning, who turned down what looked to be four penalty appeals from the English side.

    Guardiola tried to avoid any controversy.

    "I can understand that they are disappointed, but the fact is that I can't see any of those incidents clearly from my position in the dugout," he said in Thursday's edition of sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.

    Instead, the Barcelona coach preferred to highlight the football his players displayed on a difficult night in London.

    "It was hard work, but Iniesta's talent and a bit of good luck have taken us to Rome," he said.

    "Andres always complains in private that he doesn't score enough goals, but today he has scored a goal that will serve for his entire career. I would have been glad for any of my players scoring, but I am especially happy for him," said Guardiola.

    "I want to congratulate all of my players because they have fought hard and they never gave up," he added.