It was far from a vintage performance but Braga got the job done as Hugo Viana’s deflected shot early in the second half gave the Arsenalistas a 1-0 victory against Birmingham City at the AXA Stadium tonight. The win guarantees a place in the next phase of the competition for last season’s beaten finalists.

Braga came into the match on the back of an arduous sequence of matches against Benfica, Sporting and FC Porto. The draining nature of those encounters, both psychologically and physically, was evident as Birmingham completely overran the hosts for the first 15 minutes.

Quim to the rescue

With Burke causing all sorts of problems to the home defence down the right flank, the Blues had plenty of chances to take an early lead, none better than in the 12th minute when a crass mistake by Ewerton to give the ball away to Elliot was compounded by a subsequent foul in the box for a clear-cut penalty. Quim was equal to the task however, producing a fine diving stop to keep out Zigic’s spot kick. 

Ewerton, who was now on a yellow, was somewhat fortunate not to be sent off moments later as he halted another dangerous Birmingham attack with a crude foul. With the visitors piling on the pressure, veteran Quim showed he continues to be one of Portugal’s finest goalkeepers with excellent saves in quick succession from a Murphy free-kick and a Fahey header.

Having somehow survived a torrid opening, Braga at last began to get a foothold in the match. With Helder Barbosa showing little of his good early season form and Alan also quiet, it was left to Mossoro and the unsung Salino to push Braga forward. However, a powerful Lima shot off target and a wasted opportunity by Barbosa were the only threats the home side could muster in the first half.

Viana breakthrough

The Guerreiros do Minho were celebrating six minutes into the second half as Braga took the lead. Hugo Viana’s firm 25-yard effort was directed towards Boaz Myhill’s left-hand post, but took a wicked deflection and sped along the ground into the opposite corner of the net beyond the goalkeeper’s despairing dive.

The goal did not trigger a significant improvement in Braga’s play, but the Portuguese side were now looking more solid at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack. On 81 minutes Braga seemed certain to score as Lima led a rapid counter-attack. The Brazilian’s effort was saved by Myhill and Cesar knocked the rebound over of a gaping net.

Matter it did not as Braga held on comfortably to do the double over Birmingham and extend their recent hold over English opposition. In the last five meetings against English sides Braga have won four and drawn one and conceded just one goal.

Braga now travel to Belgium for their last Group H game. In the other group game tonight Club Brugge produced a sensational comeback to beat Maribor 4-3. The Belgians were 3-0 down with 15 minutes remaining and their unlikely triumph means Braga now have to win at the Jan Breydel Stadium in a fortnight’s time to finish top of the group.

Leonardo Jardim, Braga coach:

“The first fifteen minutes were really poor from Braga. We were nervous, lost the ball too much and were not at our normal level. But we were lucky, because in our worst period our opponents didn’t manage to take any of their many chances.

“Afterwards we improved and ended up justifying the result. We have achieved our first aim of the season, which was to reach the round of 32. We’ll see what the draw throws up and take it game by game.”

Braga:
Quim, Leandro Salino, Paulo Vinicius, Ewerton, Elderson (Douglao, 68), Djalma, Hugo Viana, Alan, Mossoro (Fran Merida, 84), Helder Barbosa (Paulo Cesar, 69), Lima

Goals:
[1-0] Hugo Viana, 51

Tom Kundert

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