20 April 2007, by Tom Kundert

Dady propels Belenenses into Portuguese Cup final

Belenenses 2-1 Braga (a.e.t.)

One of Portugal’s most historical clubs, Belenenses, will play their 8th Portuguese Cup final on 27 May after beating Braga 2-1 after extra time at the Restelo last night.

In an absorbing game of football Belenenses eventually came out on top thanks to goals from Dady and a Ze Pedro penalty, with Maciel equalising for the Arsenalistas in between. The Blues get to Jamor 18 years after their last appearance in the competition’s deciding match.

Braga, who were the better team for the first hour, were eventually undone by tiredness after playing a gruelling match against Benfica on Monday.

Dady unstoppable

The home team had a dream start to the match as Cape Verdean striker Dady continued his sensational form by expertly finishing off a swift counter-attack to make it 1-0 in the fifth minute. It was the forward’s sixth successive match in which he has scored – a run which has coincided with six straight wins for Beleneneses.

Braga reacted well to the setback and dominated the rest of the half. Driven forward by the irrepressible Joao Pinto, the visitors missed two golden chances to equalise through Wender and Maciel.

The same two forwards then combined well for the equaliser, as Maciel ran on to a clever Wender back-heel to slip the ball under Marco and into the net to leave the match all square going into the break.

In the second half Belenenses gradually got to grips with Braga’s dangerous forward line, and Garces missed a good chance to put the hosts ahead when he headed wide from point-blank range shortly after the hour mark.

With extra time looming Joao Pinto almost scored a dramatic winner for Braga with a sharp turn and shot from the edge of the box that just cleared the crossbar.

Wender sees red

After a balanced 90 minutes Belenenses completely dominated extra time. Nivaldo and Fernando came close to scoring from headers before Wender needlessly handled to pick up his second yellow card and head for an early bath, making things even more difficult for Braga.

Belenesses’ intense pressure eventually told when the superb Dady escaped down the right flank and crossed into the box where the ball struck Frechaut’s outstretched arm and the referee pointed to the spot.

Ze Pedro coolly struck the penalty into the net to spark wild celebrations on the home bench and in the stands, which were redoubled 10 minutes later when the referee blew the final whistle.

Belenenses:
Marco, Amaral (Carlitos, 89), Rolando, Nivaldo, Rodrigo Alvim, Ruben Amorim, Candido Costa (Sandro Gaucho, 77), Silas (Fernando, 77), Jose Pedro, Garces, Dady
Yellow Cards: Silas, Amaral, Dady, Ruben Amorim

Sporting Braga:
Paulo Santos, Frechaut, Paulo Jorge, Nem (Davide, 46), Carlos Fernandes, Vandinho, Andrade (Castanheira, 79), Maciel (Cesinha, 91), Joao Pinto, Wender, Ze Carlos
Yellow Cards: Maciel, Wender, Joao Pinto, Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut, Paulo Santos
Red Cards: Wender, 98

Goals:
[1-0] Dady, 5
[1-1] Maciel, 35
[2-1] Ze Pedro, 111 (pen)