25 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Braga thwarted by stubborn Estrela

Estrela da Amadora 0-0 Braga

Estrela da Amadora finally got their first point of the season while Braga are showing some indifferent form after a good start to the season.

The 0-0 draw was the result of a lacklustre game, with the home fans only getting excited when they started demonstrating their frustration towards their team and coach.

The best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 37th minute when Amadora striker Jones laid the ball off and freed fellow forward, Cleiton, only for Braga goalkeeper Paulo Santos to anticipate well smother the ball.

Sensing that his team needed more attacking strength, Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal brough on Ricardo Chaves for Hugo Leal, but it was Amadora who threatened again.

A minute after the break Cleiton fired a good shot on goal that forced Santos into conceding a corner. At the other end Hugo Leal took a free kick just outside the box and watched the ball shave the outside of the post.

Leal hits bar

Hugo Leal was at it again six minutes later when he saw another free kick beat the keeper, but agonizingly come back off the bar. Braga had one last kick of the can just before full time, but Amadora goalkeeper Paulo Lopes foiled Marcel from point blank range.

Under fire Amadora coach, Dauto Faquira, was happy with the point and feels that the team have something to build on for their next match. “It’s true that we did not score, but at the same time, we did not suffer a goal either and the point is justified. We played a good game.”

“In the next game we will be better, but we must face the facts: we have a young team, we are working from the grassroots, we do not train at our home facilities, which is important, and we have played three away games. I am not making excuses, but that is how it is.”

Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal felt that his team had let two points slip through their grasp: “We did not play a great game, but my team created more opportunities. Braga risked more by having four attackers up front. We had flagrant opportunities, hit the crossbar, and felt that we could have won the game.”

Braga have a tricky week ahead as the fly to Verona for their UEFA Cup second-leg tie against Chievo defending a 2-0 lead. They then come home to host current BWIN Liga leaders, FC Porto.

Meanwhile, Amadora will take their point and look to get more as they travel to the island of Madeira and face Maritimo.

Estrela da Amadora:
Paulo Lopes, Tony, Wescley, Fonte, Amoreirinha, Marco Paulo (Luis Loureiro, 65), Sergio Marques, Tiago Gomes, Jaime (Rui Borges, 71), Cleiton, Jones (Moses, 75)
Yellow Cards: Fonte (13), Sergio Marques (47), Moses (84), Tony (85), Rui Borges (90)

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Nem, Pedro Costa, Madrid, Ricardo Chaves (Hugo Leal, 46), Joao Pinto (Cesinha, 56), Maciel, Ze Carlos, Wender (Marcel, 75)
Yellow Cards: Paulo Santos (45), Wender (53)