24 October 2006, by Tom Kundert

Last gasp Nei earns Naval draw

Naval 1-1 Braga

Naval and Braga both missed out on the chance to go joint top of the Bwin Liga as they played out a 1-1 draw at Figueira da Foz last night.

Mauricio had seemingly won the game for Braga with a first-half goal, but Mauricio equalised at the death to give the home side a richly deserved point.

Naval have so far been the surprise team of the year. After avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, Rogerio Goncalves continues to do a fantastic job at the club, keeping it among the front runners after seven rounds during which they have only been beaten once, by champions Porto.

Naval took charge of the match from the first whistle, with the attacking trio of Fajardo, Lito and Nei proving a handful for the Braga rearguard.

Braga clearly missed the injured Wender and were struck by further bad luck as Frechaut and Paulo Jorge had to be substituted after picking up knocks in the first half.

However, against the run of play Braga took the lead shortly before the interval when Mauricio stylishly hit a Joao Pinto cross into the back of the net.

Naval came out determined to turn around the result and wave after wave of attack rained down on the Braga goal. Paulo Santos produced a series of excellent stops as shots were fired in from all angles.

Just as it appeared Braga would hold out for the three points, a China cross was knocked across the face of goal by Lito where Nei was on hand to fire the ball into the net. It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal of the season, which takes him joint top of the goalscoring charts.

Naval coach, Rogerio Goncalves:

“I think we clearly deserved to win because we were better in all areas, we created numerous chances and we put pressure on our opponents constantly. Our only flaw was missing the chances we created.”

“I think the Braga goalkeeper Paulo Santos was man of the match and that says it all.”

Braga coach, Carlos Carvalhal:

“We were up against a heavy pitch and a well-organised and extremely dynamic team. We were playing with players who are not 100% fit because of our participation in the UEFA Cup, so it was not possible to do better. Nevertheless, I want to congratulate my players because they were untiring.”

“We have to give value to Naval, who deserved their equaliser and perhaps even more. However, for the way my team worked I don’t think we deserved to leave here beaten.”

Naval:
Taborda, Mario Sergio, Paulao (Tony, 80), Fernando, China, Gilmar, Orestes, Pedro Santos (Cazarine, 58), Fajardo (Saulo, 72), Nei, Lito
Yellow Cards: Pedro Santos (57), Paulao (68), Orestes (79)

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge (Irineu, 43), Mauricio, Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut (Gama, 27), Andres Madrid, Vandinho, Joao Pinto (Castanheira, 60), Marcel, Cesinha
Yellow Cards: Carlos Fernandes (53), Andres Madrid (92)

Goals:
[0-1] Mauricio, 38
[1-1] Nei, 91