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Sporting win intense battle to join Nacional at table summit

Braga 0-1 Sporting

In a hard-fought match with no quarter given by either side a 3rd-minute goal from Helder Postiga proved enough to give Sporting a narrow victory tonight at the Axa Stadium in Braga.

The home team were reduced to ten men near the end when Joao Pereira was sent off for stamping on Joao Moutinho, and the Lions played down the clock to inflict Braga’s first defeat of the season.

Braga boss Jorge Jesus lived up to his reputation as an audacious coach by selecting attacking midfielders Luis Aguiar, Alan and Matheus to provide a supply line for strike duo Roland Linz and Meyong. Sporting had to start the match without first-team regulars Polga (suspended) and Yannick Djalo (injured), with Marco Caneira and Helder Postiga coming in as replacements.

Abel assist

The visitors started strongly and went ahead from a well worked move. Derlei and Abel exchanged passes on the right flank, with the right-back showing skill and awareness to cut in from the by-line and pass to Helder Postiga, who had the easy job of side-footing the ball into the net.

The strong running of Derlei and Postiga was causing Braga’s rearguard plenty of the problems, but the home team gradually got their markings right as the first half turned into something of a war of attrition.

Chances were at a premium until moments before the half-time whistle when a cross from Alan found Roland Linz all alone, but the Austrian headed just wide of the left post.

The second half was played at a slower pace, which suited Sporting down to the ground as they hogged possession for long periods and starved Braga’s array of skilful forwards of the ball.

Linz off colour

The best chance the Arsenalistas had to equalise fell to Linz, but the striker again headed wide when he should have done better.

On 84 minutes Joao Pereira was sent off for inexplicably stamping on Joao Moutinho, and Braga’s faint hopes of retrieving a point ended there.

Sporting substitute Tiui almost grabbed a late second from a breakaway, but Paulo Bento will be pleased to go into the international break with three wins from Sporting’s opening three matches of the season.

Braga:
Eduardo, Joao Pereira, Rodriguez, Moises, Evaldo, Alan, Frechaut, Luis Aguiar (Mossoro, 66), Matheus (Cesar Peixoto, 56), Meyong (Renteria, 66), Linz
Yellow Cards: Luis Aguiar, Evaldo, Joao Pereira, Cesar Peixoto
Red Card: Joao Pereira (83)

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Abel, Caneira, Tonel, Grimi, Rochemback, Joao Moutinho, Romagnoli (Miguel Veloso, 67), Izmailov, Helder Postiga (Tiui, 55), Derlei (Vukcevic, 85)
Yellow Cards: Grimi, Helder Postiga, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso

Goals:
[0-1] Helder Postiga, 3