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16 September 2007, by Paulo Carvalho

Rampant Setubal trounce Braga

Vitoria Setubal 3-1 Braga

Vitoria Setubal were not gracious hosts as they prepared a frosty reception for their visitors, Sporting Braga by handing them a 3-1 thrashing at the Bonfim.

Goals by Matheus, Elias and Edinho were more than enough to see Braga off as Cesar Peixoto pulled one back, but it was a night that belonged to the Sadinos, who could and should have won by a bigger margin.

The loss comes as an upset as Braga are being heralded in some circles as a team to fight with the big three this year for the championship. The bruising defeat will not sit well with the team, especially with their Uefa Cup match coming up against Hammarby in midweek.

Setubal showed they meant business from the start as Matheus headed an Elias cross at Dani in the 2nd minute of the game and Leandro also had a headed opportunity three minutes later.

The inevitable materialized in the 12th minute as Matheus combined well with Adalto, controlled his team-mate’s cross and coolly slotted the ball past Dani.

Braga tried to respond, but they could not get going or penetrate into the final third of the pitch. Setubal were also doing a masterful job at keeping their opponents at bay as both teams went into the break with Setubal leading by a goal.

The second half started the same way as the opening 45 minutes as Setubal doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Pitbull picked up a loose ball in a dangerous area in Braga’s half of the pitch and released Elias. The striker got the better of Anilton and struck the ball across the goal into the back of the net.

Braga felt the need to make drastic changes and brought on Roland Linz and Jorginho, for Hussain and Anilton. The moves did not change the course of the match and Braga almost conceded another goal when Matheus saw his effort crash off the crossbar in the 64th minute.

A little light for Braga shone in the 69th minute as the Arsenalistas were awarded a penalty when Auri took Vandinho down in the box. Cesar Peixoto stepped up to convert the spot shot, striking the ball to the left. Eduardo guessed right, but could not reach it. The former FC Porto player is enjoying a resurgence to his career as he scored his second goal of the season.

Pinto sees red

The game then got a little chippy as the referee brandished four yellow cards, including a red card to Joao Pinto, who accumulated two yellows in a space of 10 minutes.

Setubal duly sealed their victory in the 83rd minute when Matheus won a ball in the air, from a free kick before laying it off perfectly for the unmarked Edinho, who struck a sweet left-foot first time shot into the net.

A fantastic night of football for Setubal, who put on a dazzling display of total football and fully deserved the victory. The home fans were treated to an engaging encounter and if Setubal can keep up this form all year, there just might be another team to give the big three some fits.

Vitoria Setubal:
Eduardo, Janicio, Auri, Robson, Adalto, Elias, Sandro, Ricardo Chaves, Leandro (Pauinho, 64), Claudio Pitbull (Edinho, 70), Matheus (Leo Macae, 85)
Yellow Cards: Matheus (43), Adalto (66)

Sporting Braga:
Dani Manllo, Joao Pereira, Paulo Jorge, Anilton (Jorginho, 63), Cesar Peixoto, Joao Pinto, Madrid, Vandinho, Hussain (Roland Linz, 63), Jailson, Ze Manel
Yellow Cards: Joao Pinto (67), Joao Pereira (79), Madrid (81), Roland Linz (82)
Red Cards: Joao Pinto (71)

Goals:
[1-0] Matheus, 12
[2-0] Elias, 58
[2-1] Cesar Peixoto, 69 (pen)
[3-1] Edinho, 83