15 May 2006, by Sean Gillen

Portuguese Abroad midweek round-up

Thriving Aguiar caps memorable season with Scottish Cup

Former Benfica midfielder Bruno Aguiar continued his flourishing career in Scotland as Hearts won the Scottish FA Cup. The Edinburgh side beat lower league Gretna on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time at Hampden Park. Portuguese fullback Jose Goncalves missed the final through injury.

Deco was given the weekend off in preparation for Barcelona’s Champions League final showdown with Arsenal on Wednesday, as a second-string Barca side lost 3-2 at Sevilla. Miguel’s Valencia will play their final game of the La Liga season on Tuesday night against Osasuna as they hope to beat Real Madrid to second place. Already relegated Malaga finished the season with a 5-0 defeat at Cadiz, with Jorge Ribeiro playing the full 90 minutes. Jose Nunes missed Mallorca’s 3-1 win over Zaragoza.

In Serie A, Rui Costa made what could be his last appearance for Milan at the San Siro, playing the last 25 minutes of his side’s 2-1 win over Roma. The result was not enough for the Rossoneri to catch leaders Juventus, who were crowned champions after a 2-0 win over Reggina. Inter drew 2-2 at Cagliari without Luis Figo and Jose Vidigal missed Udinese’s 2-1 loss at Treviso. Fernando Couto was withdrawn 20 minutes from time as Parma lost 1-0 at his former club, Lazio.

In France, Tiago scored Lyon’s final goal of the season, getting the last of Lyon’s goals in their emphatic 8-1 win over Le Mans. Pedro Pauleta’s Paris Saint German lost 1-0 at Metz, finishing the season in ninth position. Beto played as Champions League-bound Bordeaux drew 1-1 with Marseille, who again left out Jose Delfim. Helder Postiga failed to make the St Etienne squad for the 3-1 defeat at Ajaccio.

Fernando Meira played as Stuttgart’s 3-2 defeat at Schalke saw them end the season in 9th place in the Bundesliga. Hannover, who finish 12th, left out Ricardo Sousa for their 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Ze Antonio helped Gladbach to a clean sheet in their 2-0 win at Frankfurt, ensuring a 10th place finish.

Steaua Bucharest got back on the winning trail in Romania. Carlos’ side beat CFR Cluj 2-0 to move to within one-point of first place, with a game in hand.

In Russia, bottom-placed Dinamo Moscow play host to city rivals Spartak on Monday, hoping to add to their single win so far in the 8-week old Russian Premier League.

Star Performer

Bruno Aguiar

After being released by Benfica in January, the midfielder has settled quickly at Scottish club Hearts. Aguiar was in the line-up as his side followed up their Champions League qualification by winning the Scottish FA Cup on Saturday.

Earlier round-ups:
20/02/06 Star Performer - Miguel
27/02/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo
06/03/06 Star Performer - Sergio Conceicao
13/03/06 Star Performer - Pedro Mendes
20/03/06 Star Performer - Luis Boa Morte
27/03/06 Star Performer - Fernando Couto
03/04/06 Star Performer - Pauleta
10/04/06 Star Performer - Jorge Costa
17/04/06 Star Performer - Luis Boa Morte
24/04/06 Star Performer - Ricardo Vaz Te
01/05/06 Star Performer - Ricardo Carvalho
08/05/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo