Cardiff claimed the Algarve Challenge Cup after following up their defeat of Guimareas with a 1-0 win over Celtic at the Estadio Algarve.Joe Ledley scored the decisive goal in the first half as the Championship side took advantage of a lack of cutting edge in the Scottish champions' display.

The kick-off in Portugal was delayed by 15 minutes, starting at 9.45pm, with Celtic looking to topple a Cardiff side who started the evening on top after their opening 2-1 win.

Youngsters Paul Caddis and Paul McGowan were included in the Hoops line-up and Gordon Strachan's side started well, creating a host of breaks for Georgios Samaras, who looked lively up front.

Cardiff gradually got themselves into the game and midfielder Stephen McPhail was thwarted as he lined up a 35-yard strike when the referee got in his way.

Miguel Comminges then had a chance but Mark Brown recovered well after initially reacting slowly to the danger.

The Bluebirds turned their possession into a goal after 18 minutes when Kevin McNaughton lifted the ball towards Stephen Thompson, who beat Bobo Balde in the air to tee up Ledley.

The midfielder then rifled home from the left with a powerful finish.

There were worries over Celtic's Scott Brown when he went down under a heavy challenge from Glenn Loovens, but the Scottish side's bench breathed a sigh of relief when he emerged unscathed.

Former Manchester City forward Samaras continued to see plenty of the ball but his occasional impressive touch began to be outnumbered by mis-timed runs and wasted chances.

A second-half mistake from Paul Hartley allowed Ross McCormack to set up Comminges but the former Swindon man could not convert.

Stephen McManus and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were thrown on by Strachan after 65 minutes but there would be no equaliser.

The Dutch striker nearly stole in at the near post with 10 minutes to go but was effectively steered off target by marker Roger Johnson and the Welsh side closed out the win.

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