29 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Wender strike sparks Braga celebrations

Chievo 2-1 Braga (After extra time, Agg 2-3)

Braga advanced to the group phase of the UEFA Cup after an extra time victory over a spirited Chievo side at the Stadio Bentegodi, as three players saw red cards during the match. A goal from Wender in the 103rd minute sealed the win for the Portuguese, after Chievo had reversed the 2-0 scoreline from the first leg in normal time.

Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal made three changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Estrela da Amadora at the weekend, with Miguel Fernandes, Hugo Leal and Nuno Frechaut coming in for Pedro Costa, Maciel and Chaves.

Chievo went into the game with several key absentees, and were forced to substitute star defender Giuseppe Scurto early on, but still took the lead on 38 minutes. Simone Tiribocchi, who scored at the weekend against Inter, headed home a cross from Kamil Kosowski.

The Portuguese side’s performance improved in the second half, and Braga had several opportunities to score a crucial away goal in the 15 minutes following the break. Wender threatened after just two minutes of the second period, and fired just over on 55 minutes. In between the midfielder’s efforts, Chievo goalkeeper Vincenzo Sicignano almost scored an own goal, ultimately allowing the ball to strike his post.

After Wender went close again, Chievo got the crucial second goal to level the tie, Denis Godeas tapping in after a Michele Marcolini shot was not dealt with by Paulo Santos. The goal was scored with over twenty minutes left, and things look ominous for Braga.

One minute later, Spanish referee Carlos Megia Davila sent off Chievo defender Paolo Sammarco for bringing down Frechaut. He soon levelled the playing field, dismissing Nem on 71 minutes for a second yellow.

Veteran forward Joao Pinto then went desperately close for the visitors with just seven minutes left on the clock, but the former Portuguese international struck the crossbar.

Wender, who was the danger man for Braga throughout, got the all important goal eight shortly before the end of the first period of extra time, heading in a Carlos Fernandes cross. Chievo then went down to nine men, as was the case in the first leg, when Zanchetta was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.

Braga saw out the remainder of extra time to add their name to the draw for the group phase as the only Portuguese side left in the competition.

PortuGOAL man of the match:
Wender – The Brazilian winger tormented the Chievo defence throughout, and it was fitting that he should be the one to score the all-important goal.

Chievo:
Sicignano; Malago, Mandelli, Scurto (Moro 10), Marcolini (Brighi 85); Luciano, Sammarco, Zanchetta, Kosowski; Tiribocchi, Bruno (Godeas 54)
Yellow Cards: Mandelli (16), Zanchetta (28 & 106), Moro (85)
Red Cards: Sammarco (69), Zanchetta (106)

Braga:
Paulo Santos; Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Nem, Fernandes; Frechaut, Hugo Leal (Maciel 46); Madrid, Joao Pinto, Wender (Mauricio 108); Ze Carlos (Cesinha 65)
Yellow Cards: Hugo Leal (43), Nem (63 & 71)
Red Cards: Nem (71)

Goals:
[1-0] Tiribocchi, 37
[2-0] Godeas, 67
[2-1] Wender, 104