Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Graphic Ace |
Match Report
It's a warm sunny day here at Estádio Municipal de Braga where Sporting Braga play host to S.L. Benfica. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in great condition.
Sporting Braga are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while S.L. Benfica appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Helder Campos.
The pitch is in great condition.
Sporting Braga are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while S.L. Benfica appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Helder Campos.
0.00
0-0S.L. Benfica kick off and get the match underway!
2.04
0-1Valerio Zauri deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Ramon Grot. Ramon Grot edges inside the box! Ramon Grot takes a shot at goal. What a cracker!! Alexander Grether had no chance!! Goal for S.L. Benfica!
8.14
0-1Quim Andrade threads a neat ball through to Ramon Grot. Ramon Grot knocks the ball forward to Alexander Widmann. Alexander Widmann knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Manuel Santos.
12.29
0-1Jo Van Der Doelen knocks the ball forward to Silvio Michel. Silvio Michel flicks a high pass forward. Valerio Zauri holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Valerio Zauri makes a probing pass between the defence to Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen makes some space for himself and shoots at goal but somehow Alexander Grether manages to keep it out.
16.41
0-1Jaime Carvalho surges forward with the ball. Jaime Carvalho knocks in a cross ball towards Peter Landerl. Peter Landerl makes a looping header on goal but it whistles just wide of the post!
22.16
0-1Pontus Curtolo sees Eddie Wright-Phillips in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Eddie Wright-Phillips kicks a strong pass forward to Warren Dodd but the referee indicates it's offside!
27.10
Silvio Michel hits a low pass to Martin Pringle. Martin Pringle controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It's miles wide!
28.38
Mark Edusei flicks a high pass forward. Pontus Curtolo holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Pontus Curtolo threads a neat ball through to Eddie Wright-Phillips. Eddie Wright-Phillips knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
32.08
Pontus Curtolo sees a break and surges forward. Pontus Curtolo finds some space and shoots from distance. Cristiano Postiga gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
33.36
Quim Andrade flicks a high pass forward to Ramon Grot who brings the ball under control. Ramon Grot makes a probing pass to Valerio Zauri. Valerio Zauri knocks in a cross ball towards Silvio Michel. Silvio Michel flicks the ball with his head but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
34.26
Jose Javier Marquitos sees Valerio Zauri in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Valerio Zauri threads a neat ball through to Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen finds some space and shoots from distance but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
36.30
Quim Andrade makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Ramon Grot. Ramon Grot hits a low pass to Jan Jensen. Jan Jensen shoots from outside the area. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is a match for it. Superb keeping!
39.23
Eddie Wright-Phillips makes a probing pass to Warren Dodd. Warren Dodd sees Pontus Curtolo just inside the box and quickly passes the ball. Pontus Curtolo looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. Cristiano Postiga gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
40.30
Jaime Carvalho changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Jaime Carvalho shoots from 25 yards but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
45.00
Silvio Michel hits a low pass to Colin McStay. Colin McStay knocks in a cross ball towards Martin Pringle. Martin Pringle makes a looping header on goal. Alexander Grether easily picks it out of the air!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Sporting Braga appear unchanged since the first half. S.L. Benfica have changed their lineup with Jon Platt replacing Alexander Widmann, Brian Armstrong replacing Silvio Michel and Dragos Olteanu replacing Colin McStay and appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-2-4 formation.
45.00
Sporting Braga kick off the second half!
47.13
Pontus Curtolo passes the ball forward to Warren Dodd. Warren Dodd makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Peter Landerl. Peter Landerl shoots from distance. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
53.45
Seeing a gap ahead, Jaime Carvalho plays the ball forward to Eddie Wright-Phillips. Eddie Wright-Phillips shoots from distance but it's a woeful effort!
57.02
Pontus Curtolo flicks a high ball forward to Peter Landerl who takes it down. Peter Landerl shoots from 25 yards. It curls slightly but Cristiano Postiga manages to gather it easily.
61.16
Jaime Carvalho makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Peter Landerl. Peter Landerl tries a spectacular long range effort but it's drastically wayward!
63.28
Jo Van Der Doelen sees Ramon Grot in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Ramon Grot flicks a high pass forward. Jan Jensen holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Jan Jensen plays a scrappy one-two with Dragos Olteanu and advances towards the goal... Jan Jensen takes a shot at goal. Solid save from Alexander Grether. What a great pair of hands!
66.24
Ramon Grot flicks a high pass forward to Valerio Zauri who brings the ball under control. Valerio Zauri whips in a cross ball towards Dragos Olteanu. Dragos Olteanu finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball flies towards the top corner but the keeper is able to reach it. Nice keeping!
72.30
1-1Jo Van Der Doelen barges into Peter Landerl. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Peter Landerl stretches but gets up unharmed.
75.07
Salvador Gil flicks a high pass forward. Eddie Wright-Phillips holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Eddie Wright-Phillips flicks a high pass forward. Warren Dodd holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Warren Dodd whips in a cross ball towards Pontus Curtolo. Pontus Curtolo directs the ball goalwards with his head. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
85.12
Ramon Grot kicks a strong pass forward to Dragos Olteanu. Dragos Olteanu puts a great ball through. Ramon Grot runs beyond the defensive line but is deemed offside!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
2
1
Shots on Target
5
6
Shots off Target
4
3
Offsides
1
1
Fouls
0
1
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
48.6%
51.4%
Play Area
27.1%
45.7%
27.1%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Pontus Curtolo of Sporting Braga |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Alexander Grether (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Eduardo Mendez (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Mark Edusei (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Salvador Gil (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Manuel Santos (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Eddie Wright-Phillips (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Pontus Curtolo (MID) |  | 9 |
| 8. | Jaime Carvalho (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Michael Decker (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Warren Dodd (ATT) | 7 | |
| 11. | Peter Landerl (ATT) | | 8 |
| 12. | Adrian Thatcher (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Tomas Barros (DEF) | 0 | |
| 14. | Oscar Pardo (GK) | 0 | |
| 1. | Cristiano Postiga (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Quim Andrade (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Jo Van Der Doelen (DEF) |  | 5 |
| 4. | Jose Javier Marquitos (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Alexander Widmann (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Valerio Zauri (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Ramon Grot (MID) | | 9 |
| 8. | Silvio Michel (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Martin Pringle (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Jan Jensen (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Colin McStay (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Jon Platt (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Brian Armstrong (ATT) | 6 | |
| 14. | Dragos Olteanu (ATT) | 6 | |