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| Thursday, 20 October 2011 21:05 |
Maribor 1-1 BragaArsenalistas held in Slovenia An outstanding display from Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic denied Braga a win in Slovenia this evening, with Os Arsenalistas forced to accept a point. Ibrahimi put the home side ahead, but Elderson equalised on the stroke of half time. Both teams ran out of ideas during a dull 2nd half, but Leonardo Jardim’s men remain in the hunt for a place in the knockout rounds.
Jardim named a familiar starting XI, with Mossoro preferred to Nuno Gomes in the slightly withdrawn attacking midfield role. Elderson recovered from injury to start at left back, whilst Carlao returned to the bench despite scoring in the Taca de Portugal at the weekend. There was little to report from the opening fourteen minutes, as both sets of players struggled to adjust to the sodden surface at the Stadion Ljudski. Braga looked to have settled the quicker, but it was Maribor who drew first blood, with their first meaningful attack of the game. An incisive run from Mezga saw the Maribor man into the box, and although his cross was fairly innocuous, the turf betrayed the Braga back line, with Baiano’s slip allowing Ibraimi the time and space to direct his shot beyond Quim.  The goal sent the home crowd into delirium, but in truth it was against the run of play, and Braga’s response reflected that. Os Arsenalistas might have been 4-1 up at the interval, with Lima particularly lively. The Brazilian troubled Handanovic with three right-footed efforts during the opening half, the first two going narrowly wide and the third drawing a fine save from the Slovenian goalkeeper. Djamal saw an effort cleared off the line in improbable fashion against Club Brugges on Matchday Two, and once again the Libyan midfielder was denied when he looked certain to level the scores. Only an acrobatic stop from Handanovic kept the ball out. Perhaps mindful of the chances wasted three weeks ago, the away side continued to push for an equaliser and were rewarded with two minutes left of the first half. Hugo Viana lofted a free kick deep into the box, and Elderson was in the right place at the right time to bundle home after a goalmouth scramble. The relief in Braga’s celebrations was palpable, but in truth it was no more than they deserved. Mossoro saw an undulating strike beaten away by the impressive Handanovic moments before the half time whistle sounded, leaving Leonardo Jardim pleased to be level, but surely ruing an outstanding display from Handanovic. After an eventful opening half, the second forty-five minutes were something of a disappointment, in truth. Handanovic continued to defy Braga, tipping a goal-bound Hugo Viana free kick around the post, and generally martialling his penalty box with calmness and confidence, but there was little in the way of meaningful goalmouth action to entertain the crowd, who nevertheless remained raucous throughout. Both coaches appeared to settle for a point as the final twenty minutes approached: Leonardo Jardim withdrew Helder Barbosa and replaced the in-form midfielder (who had in fairness had a quiet evening) with the more defensive-minded Leandro Salino. Paulo Cesar made his return from injury but made little impact on the game.  Just as a draw seemed to be inevitable, Viana almost won it for Braga at the death. The creative midfielder is not noted for his heading prowess, but he managed to latch on to the end of a Baiano cross, only to see his effort crash off the bar. The result sees Braga slip down to 3rd in Group H, after Birmingham City snatched a last-minute winner at Club Brugges. The Belgian side remain on top with six points, Birmingham also have six, whilst Braga are on four. Os Arsenalistas host Maribor at the Quarry on November 3rd. Goals [1-0] Ibraimi 14’ [1-1] Elderson 44’ Braga: Quim; Baiano, Ewerton, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson; Djamal, Hugo Viana; Helder Barbosa (Salino 67’), Mossoro (Paulo Cesar 72’), Alan; Lima. Ben Shave |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSCLJ_QcI0c
LOLZ!!!!
Braga is also fortunate that Birmingham was able to get a result on the road vs Brugge. It helped keep the group all bunched up.
Braga has been disapointing, as of late.
Correction: Both Brugge and Birmingham have 6 points. Braga 4 and Maribor 1.