9 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Braga scrape win to move top

Aves 0-1 Braga

Braga registered their second consecutive win by edging out Desportivo das Aves 0-1, to open the second round of the Bwin Liga. The result leaves newly promoted Aves with only one point from two games.

The game got off to a slow start with both teams still trying to feel the other out and not making much in the way of chances. It was not until the 33rd minute that the game came alive.

Braga striker Wender gave his club all three points when he converted a penalty after being brought down in the area by Aves substitute, Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes had just come on for Rui Figueiredo and was only on the field for five minutes before he gave away the penalty.

The second half saw more attacking play as Aves tried to hit Braga early for the equaliser, but it was a case of boots being on the wrong foot as most of Aves’ shots were either way wide of the goal or struck right at the Braga keeper, Paulo Santos.

The major incident in the second half came in the 78th minute when Braga substitute, Cesinha, was shown a straight red card for kicking Aves midfielder, Mercio.

Sweet revenge

The win will feel doubly good for the team from the City of Archbishops. Not only does it maintain their perfect to the season thus far, but it also exacts some revenge on Aves for having eliminated Braga from last year’s Portuguese Cup.

Aves coach, Neca, was happy with his side’s performance, feeling that they had controlled most of the game, and felt the result was unjust and that the penalty had been “forced” on Braga’s part.

“Only after some theatrics did Braga reach their advantage. The theatrics obligated me to make a substitution because I was at risk of having one of my players sent off (Rui Figueiredo and Xano). Then there was the forced penalty, weaved by Wender.”

“Our goalkeeper did not have to make one save, which proves that we have a good team. We are not afraid of the championship.”

Carlos Carvalhal was gracious and diplomatic in his post-match comments saying he felt that every team coming to Aves will be in for a tough test this season.

“We were a well-organised team and we were also patient. In the second half Aves forced us to defend because they have players that are really quick in attack. We showed strong nerves by absorbing the pressure, which was fantastic and was what led us to victory.”

“Whoever scores wins. We scored and showed our resilience, above all in the final few minutes when we were reduced to nine players because Cesinha had been sent off and Ze Carlos was playing injured.”

Carvalhal will now focus his energies on the UEFA Cup match against Chievo Verona on Thursday and will fly out to Italy to watch their match against Siena.

Aves:
Rui Faria, Anilton, William, Sergio Nunes, Rui Figueiredo (Bruno Fernandes, 28), Vitor Manuel (Mercio, 59), Filipe Anunciacao, Nene, Jocivalter, Hernani (Freddy, 60), Xano

Yellow Cards: Rui Figueiredo (15), Xano (17), Bruno Fernandes (33)

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Nem, Carlos Fernandes, Madrid, Frechaut, Joao Pinto (Marcel, 75), Maciel (Cesinha, 66), Ze Carlos, Wender (Hugo Leal, 61)
Yellow Cards: Paulo Jorge (44)
Red Card: Cesinha (78)

Goals:
[0-1] Wender, 33 (pen)