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Wednesday, 28 July 2010 20:56

Unstoppable Braga blow past Celtic

Sporting Braga 3-0 Celtic

Braga fansSporting Braga succeeded in transposing their magnificent domestic form from last season into Europe tonight to take a huge step towards the final qualification round of the Champions League.

Goals from Alan (penalty), Elderson and Matheus gave the Arsenalistas a fully deserved 3-0 victory against a desperately poor Celtic side.

Domingos had made it clear before the match that he considered Braga the underdogs. Thoughts that he was simply trying on a touch of kidology seemed unfounded as the Portuguese tactician sent out a cautious-looking line-up, with two holding midfielders Vandinho and Andres Madrid covering the back four, while the pacey Matheus was left on the bench.

After a cagey start Braga were first to threaten when Lima, Paulo Cesar and Andres Madrid peppered Zaluska’s goal in the 18th minute but the ball stayed out of the net. The hosts took the lead shortly afterwards when Ki-Sung-Yong handled in the box and Alan coolly slotted home the resulting penalty kick. Salino almost doubled the lead moments later as his shot whistled just wide.

Braga take command

While not hitting the heights of last season, Braga began to realise they had the beating of a Celtic side that were non-existent in terms of attack and looked fragile when the hosts increased the speed of their passing.

Braga continued to boss matters in the second half without committing many men forward. Midway through the second period Domingos sensed he should go for the throat and brought on Matheus.

The Brazilian winger provided an injection of speed and incisiveness to definitively push Braga into the ascendancy, setting up one goal, scoring another and generally rendering the tiring Scottish defence all at sea.

Debutant Elderson impresses

The excellent Elderson doubled Braga’s lead in the 76th minute, turning in a Matheus corner. The quality of the Nigerian left-back’s display, both when defending and when lending his weight to the attack, suggests that the loss of Evandro to Sporting will soon be forgotten.

The moment of the night occurred two minutes from time as Braga won a free-kick 35 metres from goal. Matheus teed up the ball and duly smashed a stupendous swerving shot into the back of the net.

Braga will be confident of completing an aggregate victory next week when they travel to Celtic Park for the second leg. Should they do so they will have just one more opponent between themselves and a place in the Champions League group stages.

by Tom Kundert

Braga:
Mario Felgueiras, Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Elderson, Andres Madrid, Vandinho, Alan (Helder Barbosa, 90), Leandro Salino, Paulo Cesar, Lima (Matheus, 66)

Yellow Cards: Salino

Celtic:
Zaluska, Cha Du-Ri, Juarez (James Forrest, 79), Hooiveld, Loovens, Mulgrew, Scott Brown, Maloney (Daryl Murphy, 71), Ki Sung-Yong, Ledley, Samaras

Yellow Cards: Mulgrew, Ki Sung-Yong, Hooiveld, Loovens

Goals:

[1-0] Alan, 26 (pen)
[2-0] Elderson, 76
[3-0] Matheus, 88


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Comments (22)
Braga!
22 Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:48
Antonio Figueiredo
Go, Braga!
DukeV, Glasgow
21 Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:22
Mdot
LOL from what I’ve always seen, Celtic are one of the dirtiest teams out there. I remember last year when Benfica trashed 3-1 in Toronto and the whole game the Celtic players kept up with their dirty kicks, and always trying to get cheap shots in. Also you can’t forget how if an opponent gets injured they try to take advantage but they are the first to cry foul if one of their guys goes down. I’m glad these clowns lost to Braga.
DukeV, Glasgow
20 Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:00
edfica london
wow realy? I've actually got the Porto Celtic Uefa cup final on dvd & have watched it couple of times. Not for a while tho, lol. Its pretty clear that Porto were the better side - controlled the vast majority of the play and created far more chances. Celtic were over-physical as per usual but have to be given credit for fighting back twice when behind. Larson was a class player. Porto's were far superior in technique and Deco ran the show. Im sorry but Porto certainly did not cheat Celtic of anything.
Take the log from your own eye first.
19 Thursday, 29 July 2010 12:08
DukeV, Glasgow
Edfica, london:
No-one has mentioned it because it all resulted from the Braga's players knack for collapsing in a heap anytime they felt a breath on their necks.
The player never needed treatment in a million years. He went down to waste time, the Celtic player knew this and acted accordingly. Braga could kick the ball out all they want, the guy was acting it.
Do you ever get De-Ja-Vu? I remember another Portuguese team who dived all over the park to cheat Celtic a couple of years ago...
Celtic are a club with more grace than many. But as for no skill, you're right.
Go Braga
18 Thursday, 29 July 2010 09:12
torpiano, uk
I think Braga showed everyone that last season wasn't a one-hit wonder and they can again be a force this season.

Domingos Pacienca deserves a lot of credit! As a Porto fan he was my idol when he was playing for us, and scoring that beautiful goal in Bremen to put us 5-0 up I'll never forget.

Now he's developing into a great manager and I hope to see him at the helm at Dragao one day...
Celtic's behaviour in injury time
17 Thursday, 29 July 2010 08:56
Edfica london
I can’t believe no one has pick up on this – it was absolutely disgusting unsporting behaviour shown late-on by the Celtic team. Braga kick the ball out so one of their players can receive treatment and instead of Celtic throwing the ball back they shoot at goal. The Braga keeper makes a save and its a goes for corner.

Instead of realising that was bad play by the one Celtic player. And therefore kicking away the corner. They decide to get everyone forward and try to score a late away goal.
SHAMEFULL, NO GRACE, NO SKILL, TOTALY PATHETIC .
Muito Bom!
16 Thursday, 29 July 2010 08:05
Paul/England
Great result for the Bracarense and I believe they can go and win in Glasgow too. I was interested to see how Braga would cope with the loss of players like Eduardo and Viana but they have fired an emphatic warning last night. Great performance!
Great Job
15 Thursday, 29 July 2010 01:14
E Gomes / NJ / SLB
I am impressed.
This Celtic team as issues, but this score line is unbelievable. I woudl have been thrilled with a 2-0 score line, but 4-0 is outstanding.

Maybe the most surprising was Braga's attacking style. They took it to Celtic, and it worked to great effect.
Braga was mostly a defensive team last season, although they knocked in 48 goals.
It was nice surprise for me.

I would also like to mention that i was disapointed in the attendance. Only 12,295 showed up out a possible 30,385. I know that it's July and vacation time, but Braga not even getting last seasons average of 14,274 has to be disappointing.
That being said, the crowd was LOUD. very nice.
bye bye Celtic
14 Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:48
Nathan/USA
Sorry Brian, with the ineptitude that your team's offense has showed, they'll be lucky to get 1 goal, let alone 4.

Forca Braga!!!! This is good news for the Liga Sagres.
braga v celtic
13 Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:25
neil, celtic fan, scotland
although the penalty in my mind was a doubt, the score wasn't, braga played us off the park, and if anyone thinks we will score 4 at parkhead, they are seriously deluded, well done braga, awesome display.
Great result
12 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 23:59
Fresh/Canada
Very proud of Braga and this result just shows Braga is still a strong team. I am confident that Braga can hold on at Celtic Park and move onto the playoff.
Well Done.
11 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 23:17
Paulo/ Charlotte,NC/USA
Good victory over a decent Celtic team. I hope you continue to put up this kind of result going forward in the Champions League. Portugal needs you to have a strong showing. A strong Liga will only help. It will serve the Seleccao well, it will help bring more money into the league, whether it be via player transfer or international competitions. Portugal's prestige is at stake. Well done SCB.
return game
10 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 23:15
brian scotland
celtic will score 4
celtic
9 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 23:08
Dave tamworth england
what a shambles celtic are they shouldnt be signing crap players from the championship.
braga
8 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 22:36
mustafa turkey
congratulations braga i knew they were goin to win nd they win 3 0 i i wasnt expecting that scrore ieven vote for them good luck in the 2nd round
Well Done Braga
7 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 22:01
Dan/USA
Way to make Portugal proud Braga...I knew Braga would win, but not by that scoreline...The game, however, really didn't get going until Alan's penatly kick goal...From there Braga grew in confidence and never looked back...Celtic hardly did anything to threaten Braga...I know many would've been a little dissappointed if Braga only won 1-0 at the end because they played well enough to score at least another goal or two...Well thankfully justice was done during the last fifteen minutes...First Elderson gets himself a goal (This kid will make Braga forget about Evaldo quickly if he plays every game the way he did today) and then Matheus scores one hell of a goal...Overall great job Braga, but they must not think the tie is over because Celtic can easily turn this result around at home if Braga aren't 100% focused...

Forca Braga
YES
6 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:23
Dave Bartolomeu/ Wales
Im a Sporting Fan but I watched the match and loved it!!! GO BRAGA
braga win
5 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:22
joa baptiste
only really one solid team on the pitch tonight and that of course was #2aga. Very very well prepared and they have 1 foot in the final cl qualifying round. It would take a complete collapse at parkhead and domingos and the boys will be ready. Congrats to all braga supporters and boa sorte for sporting and maritimo next
Not much of a surprise
4 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:15
Mateus Florida USA
Great display of football by Braga! They must hold on to the lead now. Paciencia has done a great job preparing these lads and I hope it continues.
Good Stuff!!!
3 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:09
osorio/usa
Good shit!!!!
Fantastic
2 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:07
SupremoGino
4 goals is alot but anything can happen. Very happy.

GO BRAGA!!!
BRAGA!!!!
1 Wednesday, 28 July 2010 21:02
Bryan/ jamaica
BRAGA!!!!
BRAGA!!!!
BRAGA!!!!

Celtic needs 4 goals to make CL NOW

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