UEFA Cup: Braga edge towards qualification

Aris 1-1 Sporting Braga

Braga took another step towards the last 32 of the Uefa Cup with a 1-1 draw after an entertaining encounter against Aris in Greece.

Austrian striker Linz continued his fine form to put the Arsenalistas ahead early on, but former Benfica defender Ronaldo equalised before half time and that’s the way it finished. A win in Braga’s final group match at home to Crvena Zvezda will almost certainly see the northerners join Benfica and Sporting in the next round.

There was an early scare for Braga as a defensive slip let in Javito but, with just Paulo Santos to beat, the young Spaniard fired wide.

Linz strikes again

The Portuguese team hit back immediately and went ahead on six minutes. A Cesar Peixoto corner was spilt by home goalkeeper Chalkias and Linz pounced to lash the loose ball into net. The Braga forward has now found the net in seven of Braga’s last ten matches.

Buoyed by the goal Braga enjoyed a period of domination, winning two more corners and going close to doubling their lead, again through Linz.

However, the Greek side, roared on by their noisy supporters, hit back through central defender Ronaldo, who thundered an unstoppable header into the net on 25 minutes to level the scores.

Aris were now applying real pressure on the Braga rearguard, and only a superb save from Santos on the half-hour mark prevented Nebegleras from putting the hosts ahead. The lively Javito then burst through on goal, but for the second time crashed his shot wide when one on one against Santos.

Whatever Manuel Machado said during the interval had the desired effect as Braga regained their composure to dictate the play in the second period. The visitors enjoyed the majority of the possession and looked far more secure at the back.

Wasteful Wender

On 72 minutes Braga missed a great chance to retake the lead when a corner found Wender unmarked 10 metres out, but the winger miscued his shot horribly wide, so much so that it flew out of play for a throw-in near the corner flag.

Neither goalkeeper was called into action again, meaning the group will only be decided on the final matchday, with four of the five teams still in contention for the three qualification places.

A victory by two clear goals against the group’s whipping boys, Crvena Zvezda, will make absolutely sure of Braga’s spot in the knockout stages, although a win by any scoreline is likely to be sufficient.

Manuel Machado, Sporting Braga coach:

“Despite the intensity that I felt coming from the stands, Sporting Braga were never inferior to Aris at any moment throughout the match. Braga will decide qualification in the next round. I think we have a great opportunity to beat Crvena Zvezda and go through.”

Aris:
Chalkias, Neto, Ronaldo, Papadopoulos, Aurelio, Nebegleras, Nacho, Siston (Toni, 79), Ivic, Javito (Felipe, 79), Koke
Yellow Cards: Javito, Aurelio

Braga:
Paulo Santos, Joao Pereira, Anilton, Rodriguez, Carlos Fernandes, Roberto Brum, Frechaut, Wender (Castanheira, 80), Cesar Peixoto (Joao Pinto, 52), Jorginho (Jaílson, 72), Linz
Yellow Cards: Wender

Goals:
[0-1] Linz, 5
[1-1] Ronaldo, 25