Match Report


S.L. BenficaS.L. Benfica     F.C. AroucaF.C. Arouca
Lee FarrowLee Farrow Noel Sliney Noel Sliney
Cristiano PostigaC. Postiga77
G
captain1captain
G
81Marc BeckermanM. Beckerman
Quim AndradeQ. Andrade74
D
2
D
81Garry BurleyG. Burley
Cristiano CarvalhoC. Carvalho67
D
3
D
80Matt ThomsonM. Thomson
Jon PlattJ. Platt74
D
4
D
79Carlos GarciaC. Garcia
Alexander WidmannA. Widmann77
M
5
M
81Ivan MazzeiI. Mazzei
Valerio ZauriV. Zauri74
M
6
M
85Edmundo RamosE. Ramos
Quim NunesQ. Nunes76
M
7
M
88Luis SousaL. Sousa
Silvio MichelS. Michel72
M
8
M
82Sergio BentoS. Bento
Ruben VieiraR. Vieira72
A
9
A
79Vasco FariaV. Faria
Jan JensenJ. Jensen75
A
10
A
83Fernando AlvesF. Alves
Colin McStayC. McStay75
A
11
A
81Ricardo MartinsR. Martins
 
Joe van der HoekJ. van der Hoek68
M
12
D
78Kubilay TürkyilmazK. Türkyilmaz
Brian ArmstrongB. Armstrong69
A
13
M
79Otávio CardosoO. Cardoso
Martin PringleM. Pringle74
A
14
A
82Fernando CrucetF. Crucet

Boots Direct
today's match is sponsored by Boots Direct
Match Report
The sky is dark and overcast here at Estádio da Luz where S.L. Benfica play host to F.C. Arouca. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in good condition.
Both S.L. Benfica and F.C. Arouca are lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Sergio Sousa.


0.00
S.L. Benfica kick off and get the match underway!
2.15
Cristiano Carvalho flicks a high pass forward. Quim Nunes holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Quim Nunes whips in a cross ball towards Colin McStay. Colin McStay is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. Fantastic reaction save from Marc Beckerman!
8.13
Edmundo Ramos catches Quim Nunes on the ankles. The referee calls over Edmundo Ramos and shows him a yellow card! Quim Nunes runs off the knock.
9.46
Matt Thomson threads the ball through to Vasco Faria. Vasco Faria threads the ball through to Fernando Alves. Fernando Alves whips in a cross ball towards Edmundo Ramos. Edmundo Ramos powers a header at goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
12.54
With wonderful vision, Carlos Garcia laces a through ball forward to Garry Burley. Garry Burley knocks the ball to his team mate, Ricardo Martins. Ricardo Martins knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Cristiano Carvalho.
14.22
Cristiano Carvalho threads a neat ball through to Colin McStay. Colin McStay whips in a cross ball towards Ruben Vieira. Ruben Vieira is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. It's there!! Marc Beckerman has to pick the ball from the back of the net!
18.17
Seeing a gap ahead, Silvio Michel laces a weighted ball forward to Quim Nunes. Quim Nunes lofts in a cross ball towards Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. Magnificent save by Marc Beckerman!
20.07
Edmundo Ramos flicks a high pass forward. Sergio Bento controls it well on his chest. Sergio Bento chips the ball to his team mate, Ricardo Martins. Ricardo Martins shows great control and tries a shot on goal. It curls slightly but is blocked by Cristiano Carvalho.
21.48
Jon Platt makes a probing pass to Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen flicks a high ball forward to Colin McStay who takes it down. Colin McStay lofts in a cross ball towards Ruben Vieira. Ruben Vieira heads the ball goalwards. The ball edges just beyond the reach of the keeper, thudding into the back of the net. Goal!!
27.10
Ivan Mazzei catches Silvio Michel on the ankles. Ivan Mazzei is shown the yellow card! Silvio Michel hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
28.31
Luis Sousa threads a neat ball through to Ivan Mazzei. Ivan Mazzei lofts in a cross ball towards Ricardo Martins. Ricardo Martins is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Magnificent save by Cristiano Postiga!
30.11
Ivan Mazzei hits a low pass to Vasco Faria. Vasco Faria knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Cristiano Carvalho.
32.08
Valerio Zauri sees Alexander Widmann in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Alexander Widmann knocks in a cross ball towards Colin McStay. Colin McStay heads the ball goalwards. The ball skims just under the bar, beyond the keeper's outstretched hand. Goal!!
36.19
Valerio Zauri hits a low pass to Ruben Vieira. Ruben Vieira lofts in a cross ball towards Quim Nunes. Quim Nunes rises majestically and gets a header on goal. The keeper is more than a match for it. He makes it look easy!
42.34
Garry Burley sees Matt Thomson in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Matt Thomson flicks a high pass forward. Fernando Alves controls it well on his chest. Fernando Alves knocks in a cross ball towards Ricardo Martins. Ricardo Martins makes a deft header which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half

Both teams emerge for the second half. S.L. Benfica appear unchanged since the first half. F.C. Arouca also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
The whistle blows and F.C. Arouca kick off!
59.10
Edmundo Ramos knocks the ball to his team mate, Vasco Faria. Vasco Faria knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
60.43
S.L. Benfica have made 2 substitutions with Joe van der Hoek replacing Quim Nunes and Brian Armstrong replacing Ruben Vieira .F.C. Arouca have made 2 substitutions with Otávio Cardoso replacing Sergio Bento and Fernando Crucet replacing Fernando Alves .
61.47
Seeing a gap ahead, Quim Andrade plays the ball forward to Joe van der Hoek. Joe van der Hoek threads the ball through to Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen whips in a cross ball towards Colin McStay. Colin McStay outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. The keeper is on top of it. Great keeping!
63.48
Luis Sousa passes the ball forward to Ricardo Martins. Ricardo Martins knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
65.44
Edmundo Ramos makes a probing pass to Ivan Mazzei. Ivan Mazzei knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
67.46
Cristiano Carvalho kicks a strong pass forward to Valerio Zauri. Valerio Zauri whips in a cross ball towards Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen is unmarked! He powers a header at goal which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
71.38
Quim Andrade makes a simple pass to Valerio Zauri. Valerio Zauri flicks a high ball forward to Brian Armstrong who takes it down. Brian Armstrong threads the ball through to Joe van der Hoek but he's offside!
72.24
Garry Burley knocks the ball to his team mate, Ricardo Martins. Showing composure, Ricardo Martins plays the ball forward to Fernando Crucet. Fernando Crucet knocks in a cross ball towards Ivan Mazzei. Ivan Mazzei powers a header at goal. The keeper is on top of it. Fabulous save!
75.20
Luis Sousa flicks a high pass forward. Fernando Crucet controls it well on his chest. Fernando Crucet knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Cristiano Postiga who gathers it comfortably.
77.17
S.L. Benfica have made a substitution with Martin Pringle replacing Jan Jensen .
78.19
Quim Andrade flicks a high pass forward to Joe van der Hoek who brings the ball under control. Joe van der Hoek threads a neat ball through to Martin Pringle. Martin Pringle knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
81.03
Without breaking stride, Edmundo Ramos plays the ball forward to Vasco Faria. Vasco Faria knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Cristiano Postiga who gathers it comfortably.
84.35
Quim Andrade makes a simple pass to Valerio Zauri. Valerio Zauri threads a neat ball through to Brian Armstrong. Brian Armstrong shoots from 25 yards. Marc Beckerman gathers the ball up comfortably. Excellent keeping!
87.35
Jon Platt flicks a high pass forward. Joe van der Hoek holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Joe van der Hoek sees Colin McStay in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Colin McStay edges inside the box! Colin McStay tries a spectacular strike but it is tipped over by Marc Beckerman.
88.35
Corner kick to S.L. Benfica. Silvio Michel plays it out to the edge of the box. Edmundo Ramos gets to the ball and kicks it upfield to safety.
89.27
Joe van der Hoek makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Colin McStay. Colin McStay knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Carlos Garcia.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!

Match Statistics
 

S.L. Benfica

F.C. Arouca
Goals
4
2
Shots on Target
10
5
Shots off Target
0
0
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
0
2
Yellow Cards
0
2
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
57.7%
42.3%
Play Area
30.8%
44.9%
24.4%

Scorers
Ruben Vieira 14, 21
Colin McStay 32
Jan Jensen 67
Edmundo Ramos 9
Ricardo Martins 42

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Colin McStay of S.L. Benfica

Match Ratings
1.Cristiano Postiga (GK)
6
2.Quim Andrade (DEF)
7
3.Cristiano Carvalho (DEF)
7
4.Jon Platt (DEF)
6
5.Alexander Widmann (MID)
6
6.Valerio Zauri (MID)
7
7.Quim Nunes (MID)
6
8.Silvio Michel (MID)
6
9.Ruben Vieira (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
9
10.Jan Jensen (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Colin McStay (ATT)goal scored
9
 
12.Joe van der Hoek (MID)
6
13.Brian Armstrong (ATT)
6
14.Martin Pringle (ATT)
6

1.Marc Beckerman (GK)
7
2.Garry Burley (DEF)
6
3.Matt Thomson (DEF)
6
4.Carlos Garcia (DEF)
6
5.Ivan Mazzei (MID)yellow card
6
6.Edmundo Ramos (MID)goal scoredyellow card
7
7.Luis Sousa (MID)
6
8.Sergio Bento (MID)
6
9.Vasco Faria (ATT)
6
10.Fernando Alves (ATT)
7
11.Ricardo Martins (ATT)goal scored
7
 
12.Kubilay Türkyilmaz (DEF)
0
13.Otávio Cardoso (MID)
6
14.Fernando Crucet (ATT)
6