7 November 2006, by Tom Kundert

Own goals propel Sporting to victory

Sporting 3-0 Braga

Sporting ended a run of four matches without a win with a 3-0 victory over Braga at Alvalade last night. Two own goals in the first half set the Lisbon club up for a comfortable win, and Alecsandro scored a third after the break to keep Sporting in second place two points behind leaders Porto.

The visitors started well and enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening ten minutes during which time wingers Cesinha and Maciel looked like they were likely to give the Sporting defence a busy night.

However, on 13 minutes Sporting took the lead against the run of play in comical circumstances.

Farnerud sent a cross into the box towards Alecsandro but too high for the Brazilian striker. As defender Luis Filipe ducked intending to let the ball run out of play he got his coordinates all wrong and the ball bounced off his back and looped into the net past the stranded Paulo Santos.

The goal completely changed the complexion of the match as Sporting began to string together good passing movements while Braga went into their shell.

On 20 minutes Tonel sent a header crashing onto the post from a corner, but the home fans would not have to wait long before celebrating again.

Another corner was whipped into the box by Tello, and as Alecsandro tried to get his head on it he was beaten to the ball by defender Nem, who only managed to divert the ball past his own goalkeeper for the second own goal of the night.

Despite playing well within themselves, Sporting trotted into the changing rooms at the interval two goals to the good, with Farnerud and Alecsandro their most impressive players in the first half.

Disappointing Braga

Any expectations of a Braga fight-back in the second half failed to materialise, with the hugely disappointing northerners not forcing Ricardo into a single save all match.

The see-saw form of the UEFA Cup representatives must be a worry for Carlos Carvalhal, as his team continues to fluctuate between outstanding and distinctly average performances.

A subdued period of play was enlivened when Djalo attempted to latch on to a loose ball in the box but only succeeded in catching international goalkeeper Paulo Santos, causing a nasty gash in his leg.

The keeper reacted furiously, which in turn caused the crowd behind the goal to instantly make Santos public enemy number one. The rest of the match witnessed some less than good-natured banter between the keeper and several thousand supporters behind the goal.

Shortly after the hour mark Sporting scored their third through Alecsandro, and again it was a corner that the Braga defence were unable to defend. The Brazilian produced a bullet header that Santos managed to push out but not before the ball had crossed the line.

A nightmare night for Braga central defender Nem was completed in the 83rd minute as he was sent off for deliberately handling the ball to prevent Liedson having a clear run on goal.

Next up both teams face tough fixtures after the international break, with Sporting travelling to Maritimo and Braga hosting Benfica.

Paulo Bento, Sporting coach:

“I’m satisfied with the result but I know that our first-half performance wasn’t good and throughout the match there were patches when we didn’t play well.”

“Braga caused us some difficulties, but as our team hadn’t won in four matches it was important to get the victory today.”

Carlos Carvalhal, Braga coach:

“I didn’t expect to lose like that, but no team can withstand two own goals and another from a dead-ball situation that I don’t even know if it entered or not. Our team were tired after the Liberec game, and this was shown by the fact that Sporting’s players almost always got to the ball first.”

Sporting:
Ricardo, Caneira (Abel, 31), Tonel, Polga, Tello, Custodio, Farnerud (Nani, 60), Djalo, Joao Moutinho, Alecsandro (Miguel Veloso, 73), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Miguel Veloso (74)

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Irineu, Nem, Pedro Costa, Vandinho (Frechaut, 46), Andres Madrid, Ricardo Chaves (Gama, 77), Maciel, Marcel, Cesinha (Matheus, 46)
Yellow Cards: Nem (28 & 83), Marcel (58), Miguel Veloso (74)
Red Card: Nem (83)

Goals:
[1-0] Luis Filipe, 13 (o.g.)
[2-0] Nem, 33 (o.g.)
[3-0] Alecsandro, 63