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| Thursday, 27 August 2009 21:29 |
Sensational Nacional knock out Zenit St. PetersburgZenit St. Petersburg 1-1 Nacional (aggregate: 4-5) Nacional da Madeira achieved what must rank as the most impressive result in their history as they knocked Russia's richest club and the 2008 Uefa Cup and Super Cup winners out of the Europa League. Despite winning the first leg 4-3, not many gave the islanders much chance of completing the job in Russia, and a 34th-minute goal from Tekke seemed to be enough to seal a win in the tie for Zenit. But Ruben Micael's last-gasp equaliser earned the Portuguese side a draw on the night and a famous 5-4 aggregate victory.
What makes the result all the more remarkable is that owing to an early season injury crisis Nacional arrived in Russia with just 15 players, and no recognised centre-forward.
Machado overjoyed
The usually phlegmatic Manuel Machado was understandably a picture of uncontained joy at the final whistle. “When we scored the goal I was radiant. We had to score that goal. When the team plays above itself, like it did today, it is impossible to describe your emotions.
“I had to put a 19-year-old centre-back in attack. He helped us win some free-kicks, and that was how we ended up getting our goal.”
Tekke’s firm header looked to be heading for the net but a combination of a diving Patacas header, the bar and goalkeeper Bracalli appeared to keep the ball out as it bounced onto (or over?) the line. The referee pointed to the centre circle to signal the goal, despite protests from the Nacional players that the ball had not crossed the line.
Bracalli impresses
Nacional were now behind in the tie and the fact they had to push forward left gaps at the back. Semshov and Tekke, scorers of the Zenit goals in the first leg were a constant danger, but impressive Brazilian goalkeeper Bracalli was on hand to stop everything the Russians could throw at him.
Having scored four goals in 90 minutes against the same opposition a week earlier Nacional always thought they were still in the tie, and Ruben Micael tested Contofalsky with a dangerous effort on the hour mark.
It would be the same player, voted the young revelation of the year last season in
Ruben Micael’s winner:
Portuguese trio
Nacional held on for what seemed like the longest ever five minutes of stoppage time to complete an unlikely victory and join Benfica and Sporting in the group stages of the Europa League.
by Tom Kundert
Zenit: Contofalsky, Anyukov, Fernando Meira, Kim Dong Jin, Lombaerts, Fatih Tekke (Rosina, 61), Shirokov (Krizanac, 71), Zyryanov, Kornilenko, Semshov, Huszti (Ignatovich, 91)
Nacional: Rafael Bracali, Bruno Patacas, Halliche (Nuno Pinto, 45), Felipe Lopes,
Goals:
[1-0] Tekke, 35
[1-1] Ruben Micael, 89
Comments (5)
Ricardo?
5
Friday, 28 August 2009 13:10
Christian/USA
Wait, did Ricardo start playing for Zennit after Betis said they didn't want him anymore?
zenit goalkeeper
4
Friday, 28 August 2009 08:57
woof
what was he doing he lost me £225 on a football coupon the nugget
WOW!
3
Friday, 28 August 2009 04:25
Andre U.S.
Nacional CONGRATS! keep it up. the coach is great and they will have a successful season! on the other hand, lets go BENFICA!
Nacional
2
Friday, 28 August 2009 02:55
Kevin Canada
Thank you Nacional, you gave all your heart. You gave Liga Sagres so much credibility Congratulations!!!
AWESOME!!!!!!
1
Thursday, 27 August 2009 23:52
Gary/Vancouver
Just awesome! What a great result for the team and Portuguese football. I hope Nacional make it out of the group stages. Great night!
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