12 November 2007, by Tom Kundert

Sporting humbled by Braga

Braga 3-0 Sporting

Braga turned in undoubtedly their performance of the season so far to completely overrun Sporting and register a 3-0 victory.

Goals from Frechaut, Linz and Jorginho gave the Arsenalistas a thoroughly deserved victory against a Sporting team unrecognisable from the side that performed so well against Roma in midweek.

From the off the hosts took charge of proceedings. Tiago did well to save a Carlos Fernandes effort and Jorginho then almost broke the deadlock as his shot cannoned off the post.

It came as no surprise therefore when Braga took the lead on 25 minutes. A free kick was swung into the box and Frechaut got in front of Miguel Veloso to head into the back of the net.

Braga continued to dominate against a meek Sporting, with Paulo Santos a mere spectator in the Braga goal during the first half.

Dynamic duo

At the interval Paulo Bento tried to inject energy into his team by taking off left-back Ronny and throwing on giant forward Purovic. However, Braga continued to look by far the more dangerous, with Linz and Wender causing havoc in the Sporting defence with their excellent interchanges.

Romagnoli at last forced Paulo Santos into action with a good effort from outside the box, but Braga then killed the game with two goals in three minutes.

Shortly after the hour mark Stelvio fed Linz who had no trouble in shooting past Tiago with the Sporting defence all at sea. It got better for the home side almost immediately as more shocking defending left Jorginho completely unmarked at a corner and the Brazilian duly fired an unstoppable shot into the net.

To rub salt into the wounds Tonel was sent off near the end for a reckless challenge on Joao Pinto which earned the centre-back his second yellow card.

Sporting will want to forget this match in a hurry, while new Braga coach Manuel Machado, who watched the match from the stands before starting work on Monday, must be rubbing his hands at the prospect of taking over the talented team.

With Jose Manuel, Wender, Linz and Frechaut in this sort of form, and players of the calibre of Joao Tomas and Andres Madrid unable to make the starting eleven, the future looks bright for the Arsenalistas.

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Joao Pereira, Rodriguez, Paulo Jorge, Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut, Roberto Brum, Jorginho, José Manel (Stelvio, 60), Linz (Joao Pinto, 85), Wender (Hussaine, 71)
Yellow Cards: Frechaut (57), Paulo Santos (67), Joao Pereira (67), Hussaine (91), Stelvio (93)

Sporting:
Tiago, Abel, Polga, Tonel, Ronny (Purovic, 46), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Romagnoli, Izmailov (Pereirinha, 60), Liedson, Djalo (Had, 68)
Yellow Cards: Tonel (27 & 86), Polga (46), Purovic (67)
Red Card: Tonel (86)

Goals:
[1-0] Frechaut, 25
[2-0] Linz, 62
[3-0] Jorginho, 65