29 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Brave Nacional give Rapid a scare

Nacional 1-2 Rapid Bucharest (after extra time, agg. 1-3)

It was a heartbreaking night for Nacional, as they were eliminated in their UEFA Cup tie by Romanian side Rapid Bucharest, losing 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate after taking the tie into extra time.

The team from Madeira were knocking on the door of the tournament’s group stage as they got the early goal they needed to level the tie. However, the chance to make history slipped through their fingers in extra time as fatigue set in and became a factor.

Nacional started off the game positively, attacking Rapid incessantly in search of that early goal that would put them level on aggregate. They almost got it in the 9th minute as Chainho saw his shot hit the post.

The Madeira side were throwing caution to the wind and Rapid were always looking to hit on the counter attack. The Romanians almost scored in the 17th minute as Ze Vitor had to clear a Zicu ball off the goal-line to keep Nacional’s dream alive.

Spadacio special

In the 27th minute Nacional got the goal they had been longing for through Juliano Spadacio’s cleverly taken free kick that saw Rapid goalkeeper, Coman, baffled as the ball entered the opposite side of the net he was defending.

Ze Vitor saved Nacional goalkeeper Diego again in the 40th minute as he was Johnny-on-the-spot and cleared what appeared a certain goal for Rapid in a goalmouth scramble.

The second half did not produce any significant opportunities for either team, but Nacional were starting to look tired while Rapid did not appear flustered by the thought of extra time.

Shortly after the start of extra time Rapid shattered Nacional’s hopes by scoring in the 91st minute. Ricardo Fernandes failed to clear the ball out of the box and it went straight to Rada. The defender made no mistake by striking the ball inside the far post.

Nacional now needed two goals in order to advance as Rapid had the all-important away goal. Things went from bad to worse for the Portuguese side as Bruno Basto was shown a straight red for inexcusably kicking out at Rapid’s Griffiths, catching the player in the face, with ball nowhere near either player.

Finally, the game was put to rest as Rapid’s substitute, Burdujan, sealed the contest with another goal in the 100th minute. The same player was then shown two yellow cards in the space of six minutes and will consequently miss the first group phase match.

Brito gracious in defeat

Nacional’s coach, Carlos Brito, was gracious in defeat and acknowledged that Rapid were deserved winners, but could not help thinking of what might have been: “We have to be humble and congratulate Rapid. Overall, in the two games, they deserve to go through. They demonstrated that they play at an international level.”

“Nacional were good for 90 minutes with opportunities for more goals for both sides, but in extra time we showed immaturity. After Bruno Basto was sent off Rapid controlled the game better.”

Rapid coach, Razvan Lucescu, was beaming after the match and felt that his team were the better side and deserved to advance: “It was a good game, a good victory and a deserved triumph. There many opportunities for goals in the first half for both sides, but a defensive error by my team lead to Nacional’s goal. But we recovered and I believe we deserve to advance.”

The Romanian coach also congratulated his opponents, heaping praise on the team from Madeira. “We encountered a team that was good technically, aggressive and mature, but we could have resolved the game before extra time.”

Nacional now have to put their disappointment behind them as they prepare to build on their first win obtained last weekend as they head to Coimbra to face Academica and ex-coach, Manuel Machado.

PortGOAL Man of the Match:
Ze Vitor - The brave defender kept his team in the game and the belief that qualification was possible, clearing what looked liked two sure-fire goals off the line.

Nacional:
Diego Benaglio, Jose Vitor, Ricardo Fernandes, Avalos, Alonso, Bruno Amaro, Chainho (Cleber Oliveira, 104), Adriano (Bruno Basto, 65), Rodrigo Silva (Cassio, 68), Juliano Spadacio, Chilikov
Yellow Cards: Chilikov (29), Chainho (61), Jose Vitor (82), Juliano Spadacio (88)
Red Cards: Bruno Basto (92)

Rapid Bucharest:
Coman, Rada, Maftei, Marius Constantin, Karamyan, Grigore (Maldarasanu, 97), Lazar, Badoi, Zicu (Griffiths, 56), Viorel Moldovan (Burdujan, 70), Buga
Yellow Cards: Coman (27), Grigore (93), Burdujan (101, 117)
Red Cards: Burdujan (117)

Goals:
[1-0] Juliano Spadacio, 28
[1-1] Rada, 91
[1-2] Burdujan, 100