20 October 2006, by Tom Kundert & Marco Pereira

Braga crash to heavy defeat in Holland

AZ Alkmaar 3-0 Braga

Braga’s debut in the group stage of the UEFA Cup could not have got off to a worse start as they were beaten 3-0 by AZ Alkmaar in Holland. A first-half goal from Arveladze and two late strikes from Koevermans and Schaars sent Louis Van Gaal’s team to the top of Group C.

Braga were content to start the match playing on the counter attack, and the strategy worked well initially with the best two chances of the opening half hour falling to the Portuguese team.

Maciel and Wender both found themselves in excellent shooting positions, but failed to beat goalkeeper Didulica. At the other end of the pitch the lively Arveladze was proving a handful for the Braga defence.

In the 34th minute Braga again went close when Marcel forced the keeper into a good save after being set up by Carlos Fernandes.

Two minutes later and Braga fell behind when a loose ball fell kindly to Arveladze who beat Paulo Santos with a clinical finish. On the stroke of half-time Opdam almost doubled the home side’s lead when his header just cleared the bar.

Double injury blow

Braga were then hit by injuries to two of their key players as Hugo Leal and Wender had to be substituted either side of half time, with Joao Pinto and Cesinha coming on. The forced changes clearly affected Braga who found it difficult to create chances.

Carlos Carvalhal’s team began to risk more, pushing more men forward but leaving themselves exposed to Alkmaar’s dangerous counter attacks. Joao Pinto hit a fine shot from distance just wide after 71 minutes.

But the Dutch team then killed off the game with two goals in five minutes from perfectly executed counter-attacks.

Braga next host Czech team Leberec on 2 November, with a win already looking a must to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the next phase of the competition.

Braga coach, Carlos Carvalhal:

“AZ Alkmaar’s victory is just, but with an exaggerated score. We were punished heavily for not scoring in the first half when we had the opportunity to do so. AZ were intelligent in the way the second half was played. They allowed us to advance upfield and hit us on the counter attack, without losing control of the game.”

“Losing 1-0 does not serve us and because of that we had to take risks, and play with four strikers. Then we suffered the second goal because we committed many errors. I still believe in progress to the next round because we have two home games, which we can win.”

AZ Alkmaar coach, Louis Van Gaal:

“We did not play well in the first half, due to Braga’s strategy, which was put up a wall with ten men and one striker. It was really difficult for us. We had to pass the ball around, back and forth, and look for space.”

“When Hugo Leal was substituted the game changed. His substitute, Joao Pinto, is a number 10 that is completely different and we managed to find more space.”

AZ Alkmaar:
Didulica, Jaliens, Mendes da Silva, Opdam, Tim de Cler, De Zeeuw, Cziommer (Steinsson, 46), Schaars (Molhoek, 80), Martens, Dembele, Arveladze (Koevermans, 72)
Yellow Cards: Mendes da Silva (25), Arveladze (39)

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Mauricio, Carlos Fernandes, Madrid, Ricardo Chaves, Hugo Leal (Joao Pinto, 43), Wender (Cesinha, 56), Maciel (Ze Carlos, 68), Marcel
Yellow Cards: Paulo Santos (33), Mauricio (90)

Goals:
[1-0] Arveladze, 36
[2-0] Koevermans, 74
[3-0] Schaars, 79