Braga march on in Uefa Cup

Standard Liege 1-1 Braga (aggregate 1-4)

Sporting Braga put in another strong performance in the Uefa Cup tonight, drawing away against Belgian side Standard Liege to move into the next round of the competition. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Mbokani gave the hosts brief hope of an unlikely comeback with a goal on 78 minutes, but Luis Aguiar equalised ten minutes later to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory and set up a tie against French outfit PSG.

Despite a long injury list, which forced Braga coach Jorge Jesus to play midfielder Stelvio at centre-back, the Arsenalistas began the match where they left off in the first leg, controlling their opponents with ease.  

After the first half hour in which they made little headway, Standard opted to change their tactics and began pumping a series of crosses into the Braga box. The direct approach had the desired effect as Braga began to experience difficulties for the first time in the tie.  

Woodwork struck twice

Lazlo Boloni’s team were getting closer and closer to cutting the deficit, and Braga enjoyed a stroke of luck in the 56th minutes when Goreux fired an effort against the post.  

The Belgians were now applying heavy pressure on the Portuguese team, but from a counter-attack Luis Aguiar almost grabbed a Braga goal as his firm shot from outside the box grazed the top of the bar.  

As Standard continued to press, Braga were grateful to Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo, who commanded his area with authority and was in the right place and the right time when called upon. In the 76th minute the Braga stopper made a brilliant double save from De Camargo and Mbokani to keep the match goalless.  

It was a brief reprieve however, as three minutes later Mbokani finally got a goal for Standard, beating Stelvio for pace and shooting into the net. 

Aguiar magic

The excellent Aguiar almost won the game for Braga in stoppage time, but Espinoza pulled off a fine save. Braga now prepare for a clash against Paris St-Germain, who knocked out German team Wolfsburg, and will be hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup for the first time in their history.

by Tom Kundert  

Standard Liege:
Bolat (Espinoza, 46), Marcos, Onyewu, Sarr, Mulemo, Dalmat (Benko, 86), Defour, Witsel, Goreux (Carcela, 73), De Camargo, Mbokani

Yellow Cards: Camargo, Defour, Witsel

Yellow Cards: Evaldo, Leone, Cesar Peixoto, Vandinho 

Goals:

[1-0] Mbokani, 79  

[1-1] Luis Aguiar, 88