Tuesday November 20, 2012 Group Stage: Group H Finished Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu
CFR 1907 Cluj 3 - 1 Sporting Braga
- Pedro 7’, 15’, 33’
- Alan 17’
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Champions League - Cluj send Braga out of Europe
Rui Pedro scored a first half hat-trick as Cluj sent 10-man Sporting Braga out of the Champions League with a 3-1 win at the Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- CFR 1907 Cluj
- Sporting Braga
90+4' The referee blows his whistle to end this match. Cluj run out 3-1 winners thanks to that first-half hat-trick from Rui Pedro. Braga are eliminated from Group H. Thanks for joining us.- 90+2' We'll have four minutes of stoppage time.
- 90' Cluj, who have been the real underdogs in this group, will now go into matchday six to battle it out for that second spot in group H.
89' Chance for Cluj. Camora's cross from the left is deflected into the path of Aguirregaray who chests the ball down and volleys at goal. Coelho makes a stunning block but the ball falls to Kapetanos who acrobatically sends the ball narrowly wide from 10 yards.- 88' The Cluj team are camped deep in their own half now. Kapetanos is the only man forward and will look to lead the counter when the Romanian side regain possession.
- 87' Mossoro is floored yet again by Luis Alberto. The Cluj man is lucky to escape the book as it really was a nasty challenge.
- 86' Kapetanos superbly controls Felgueiras' goal kick on his chest before nutmegging Ismaily and switching play. Classy stuff from the substitute.
- 85' Ruben Micael's free kick is very poor and is sent straight into the defender at the front post. Braga are in a real hurry now, but surely they've left it too late.
84' Cadu lunges in on Alan and goes straight into the book. He's fortunate just to receive a yellow.
83' Young Frenchmen Nicolas Godemèche replaces Rafael Bastos as Cluj make their final change.- 82' Camora strikes the post, again!! Braga are really pushing forward now and are caught on the break once more. Camora is sent through on goal and looks certain to score but Beto somehow manages to push the effort onto the far post. Great save.
- 81' Pantelis Kapetanos replaces hat-trick hero Rui Pedro.
- 80' Camora strikes the post!! Cluj go on the counter attack as Braga send men forward. Rafael Bastos takes it up field and works the ball over to Camora. The winger takes a neat touch before sending a low shot on goal. Beto gets a finger tip to it which sends it onto the post.
- 79' Mossoro has looked impressive since he has come on and he thought he had given his side a glimmer of hope. There's still time...
- 78' Braga score, but it's ruled out for offside. Alan gathers the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sends a whipped effort on goal. Felgueiras is equal to it but palms the ball straight into the path of Mossoro, who coolly slots it home. The flag is up straight away, though, and the goal is chalked off.
- 77' Braga captain Alan has been all over the pitch in this second half. He is constantly looking for the ball, dropping deep and switching flanks as he looks to create something to get his side back into this match.
- 76' The game has become a little scrappy now. There has been a few niggly, needless challenges in the last few minutes which has disrupted the flow.
- 75' Sougou, who was just picked up a yellow card, is replaced by Matias Aguirregaray.
- 74' Coelho is the man to take the free kick but blasts it straight into the wall. The ball falls to his feet but he again sends his effort into the wall.
- 73' Sougou gives away a free-kick on the edge of his own penalty area for another clumsy challenge on Ismaily. Dangerous position, this.
- 72' The game has become a little scrappy now. There has been a few niggly, needless challenges in the last few minutes which has disrupted the flow.
- 71' Braga have made exactly the same substitutes they made against Manchester United on matchday four. Sougou now goes into the book for leaving his mark on Alan.
- 70' Rui Pedro goes into the book. He chases substitute Mossoro and pulls the shirt of the Braga man.
- 69' Ze Luis catches Cadu with a late challenge and leaves the defender in a heap on the floor. Nothing malicious about it, but it was clumsy.
- 68' Braga make their third and final change as former Newcastle United man Hugo Viana is taken off. Mossoro is the player to come on.
- 67' Camora, who has done very little this evening, has an effort on goal after cutting in from the left. He fakes inside and out before sending his shot narrowly over the bar from distance.
- 66' Braga again go forward and attack in number. Central defender Coelho is in support and receives the ball 30 yards from goal. There's no pass on so he elects to shoot and fires straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
- 65' Ze Luis gets the better of Cadu down the left but is then brought down by Rada. The referee is having none of it, though, as he waves play on.
- 64' Ze Luis gets the better of Cadu down the left but is then brought down by Rada. The referee is having none of it, though, as he waves play on.
- 63' Rafael Bastos collects the ball on the half way line and takes the ball forward. He gets to the edge of the 18 yard box before rolling it across to Sougou. The winger’s control lets him down and Cluj lose possession.
- 62' Camora’s corner is again whipped into the near post but fails to beat the first man. He’s fortunate to get a second crack at it but again can’t find a team mate.
- 61' Viana looks to orchestrate a move for his side but is sent backwards as Muresan and Luis Alberto double up on the midfielder. Good defensive work.
- 60' Camora’s corner is whipped into the near post and is met by Piccolo. The central defender rises well to meet the ball but can’t quite direct his effort on target.
- 59' Poor defending again from the visitors. Custodio, who has been forced into playing at centre-half, commits himself into a challenge and gets it all wrong. Rafael Bastos gets into the penalty area and forced Beto into a smart save.
- 58' Braga make their second change of the night as Zé Luis is introduced in place of Éder.
- 57' Alan drops deep to collect the ball. He's not challenged and fires a shot at goal. It's not caight too well and flies over the bar. Felgueiras makes himself heard and urges his players to close down the ball.
- 56' Braga are awarded a corner as Eder gets free down the right. Rada stays with his man and makes a well-timed challenge to send the ball out for a corner. Braga are slowly getting into this second half.
- 55' Rui Pedro meets the ball on the edge of the penalty area as Coelho heads away. The Portuguese midfielder attempts a volleyed effort but drags it wide.
- 54' Ivo Pinto again shows real desire to get forward. He breaks down the right and takes the ball past Ismaily but stumbles at the byline and can't quite keep the ball in play.
- 53' Hugo Viana produces a step over followed by a Cruijff-turn on the edge of the penalty area to create some space. He gets the ball out of his feet and sends a shot on goal. Muresan makes a superb sliding challenge to block the effort.
- 52' Braga are already chasing shadows in these opening few minutes of this second half. They’re going to have to do a lot of work with ten men.
- 51' Braga had 63% of possession in that opening half but really didn't test the Cluj keeper enough. The hosts looked like scoring every time they went forward, though, and were as efficient as usual when doing so.
- 50' Alan jinks his way past Rada down the right and plays the ball back into the path of Amorim who sends the ball into the penalty area. It’s not a great cross and is claimed by Felgueiras.
- 49' Cadu looks to venture forward but is soon facing his goal under pressure as he fails to find a pass. The ball goes back to the goalkeeper and is cleared to safety.
- 48' Hat-trick hero Rui Pedro is penalised for a foul on Coelho deep into the Braga half. Needless, that.
- 47' Braga must effectively score three goals in this second half to stand any chance of progressing into the knockout stage.
46' The second half is under way.- 45+3' The referee brings a frantic first half to an end. Braga have it all to do in the second period.
- 45+2' That was the last thing Braga needed. The know if they lose this game then they are out and Douglao shows real indiscipline to put his team down to 10-men.
45+1' RED CARD!! DOUGLAO IS SENT OFF!! The centre half, who has had a shocker so far, is sent off for elbowing Rada after the ball had been headed wide for a goal kick. The players came together and the Braga defender simply sent his elbow straight into the face of his opposition. Ridiculous.- 45' Ruben Micael's corner is met by Alan but the contact is poor and flies wide.
- 44' Looking at replays of that header, there really was some quite shocking defending which allowed for Custodio to get a free header on goal. That's been a feature of this game so far...
- 43' Custodio meets Viana's corner and sends a powerful header on goal. Felgueiras is beaten but the ball is cleared off the line by Pinto.
- 42' Cluj are under a sustained bit of pressure at the moment. Braga are pushing forward in numbers as they search for a vital goal before the whistle. They are awarded a corner.
- 41' STAT: That was the first hat-trick in the Champions League scored by a Romanian team's player.
- 40' Rui Pedro spots the run of Sougou and sends his team mate through on goal with a delightful lofted ball. He’s chased all the way by Douglao and is forced wide. Sougou has no support so opts to go for goal and is off balance when doing so. The ball flies high and wide.
- 39' Eder is instantly back in the thick of the action as he finds some space in between Cadu and Piccolo. The front man surges into the box and pulls the trigger from the right but Piccolo recovers well to block the shot.
- 38' Eder has made his way back onto the pitch with heavy strapping on his left leg. He's been a danger so far and Jose Peseiro will be glad that he's not been forced into a change.
- 37' Alan challenged Rada deep in the Cluj half. The Braga captain is adamant that the ball came off his opposition before going into touch but the throw-in is awarded to the hosts.
- 36' Éder is down with an injury. He looks in some discomfort. The visitors will not want to make a second change in these remaining moments of the first half but may be forced to.
- 35' Moments before that thrid goal, Braga made their first change of the night as Hélder Barbosa replaced Leandro Salino.
- 34' Braga look dangerous going forward but have been abysmal at the back so far tonight. They'll not be too pleased with any of the three goals.
33' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! RUI PEDRO HAS HIS HAT-TRICK!! The ball is worked down the line for Sougou who cuts the ball back well for the midfielder to make his way into the box and slam the ball past Beto from 15 yards.- 32' Braga go forward down the left through Ruben Amorim. The winger finds some space in behind the covering defender and sends the ball into the box. Viana gets there first but is penalised for handball.
- 30' It's been a very entertaining opening 30 minutes. We've had three goals and a few decent efforts otherwise. There's no question that the hosts were the much better team during the opening 15 minutes but seem to have lost their way slightly following Alan's goal.
- 28' Rada lofts a hopeful ball into the box which Beto comes out to claim. The former Cluj man gets nowhere near it. Luckily, Ismaily reads the danger and sends the ball clear.
- 29' Luis Alberto tries his luck from distance. He receives a pass from the left and unleashes a curling effort on goal. Beto dives to his right and palms it away. Great effort.
- 27' Custodio and Hugo Viana exchange a number of passes in the middle of the field before the latter unleashes a wicked effort on goal from 30 yards. It's hit very well but is straight at the goalkeeper.
- 25' It was quite unbelievable to see how the Portuguese side started this match. They looked very lackadaisical about a tie that is effectively a must win. Even when the first goal went in, they didn’t look bothered. That second one really changed the momentum, though...
- 24' The hosts have struggled to keep hold of the ball since Alan’s goal. Braga have control of the midfield at present and have subsequently had more possession. It’s a very open game, this.
- 23' Judging on the football so far, I wouldn’t bet against another few goals being scored here. Both sides look shaky defensively.
- 22' Eder dispossesses Rada and bursts down the right wing. he looks to find Alan with an inswinging ball but Piccolo is on hand to clear the danger.
- 21' Custódio is penalised for a foul on Sougou. The free kick is wasted, however, as Muresan's set-piece flies out for a goal kick.
- 20' Eder finds some space down the left flank and is found by Custodio. The front man shimmies past Ivo Pinto and fires a shot at goal from a tight angle. Felgueiras looks concerned by the effort as it flies past him into the side netting. Encouraging.
- 19' There is a wonderful atmosphere throughout this stadium now. Both sets of fans are in full voice as they try to urge their respective teams on.
- 18' It had been all Cluj up until that goal. Braga hadn't even been in the game but that response is sure to change the dynamic of this game.
- 17' GOAL!! BRAGA SCORE!! Alan gets his fifth goal this season. Ruben Micael capitalises on a poor clearance and lofts a delightful ball into the path of Alan on the right of the penalty area. The striker gets the ball out of his feet to send the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net.
- 16' That really was quite awful defending from the visitors. Jose Peseiro is livid on the touchline as his defence gifted the hosts their second goal.
- 15' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! Rui Pedro scores again. The hosts turn defence into attack and go two goals up. Sougou latches onto a flicked header and shows great determination to beat the Braga defenders to the ball. The winger gets a toe on the ball and plays it into the path of Rui Pedro who sends the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from 12 yards.
- 13' Jose Peseiro is sure to be worried about how his team have started so far. They’ve not seen a lot of the ball and haven’t expressed a desire to get forward.
- 12' Braga have scored 33 goals in all competitions so far this season and 23 of those goals have all come after half time. They’d ideally like to be on level terms before the break tonight, though...
- 11' Cluj have had 60% of possession so far. They've really passed it around well and, so far, have not allowed the visitors to put their defence under any pressure.
- 10' The hosts have set up for Rafael Bastos to be the out-and-out striker tonight but he’s been given a lot of support so far. His pass for that goal was wonderful. He just knew where his team mate was without even looking. Great goal.
- 9' You can’t help but feel that Braga are staring down the barrel now. The Portuguese outfit will more than likely exit the competition this evening if they do not pick up a win and they now need two goals.
- 7' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! Rui Pedro scores. The midfielder gets in behind the Braga defence and is found by Rafel Bastos' wondeful backheeled pass. Rui Pedro takes one touch before stroking the ball beyong Beto.
- 6' Sougou has his pocket picked as Braga look to counter swiftly. Amorim gets down the left before attempting to pull the ball back into the path of Viana but the pass is cut out.
- 5' Luis Alberto receives a heavy challenge from Ruben Micael. The Braga man really is fortunate not to go into the book in these first few minutes.
- 4' The hosts look very comfortable on the ball during these opening moments. They’re retaining possession well as they stroke it around looking for a pass. Bastos tries to play in Sougou but the pass is wanting and the winger fouls Douglao on the edge of the penalty area.
- 3' The corner is wasted. The hosts go short and the ball is sent in by Rui Pedro but the cross is poor and it is cleared at the near post. Braga look to go on the counter but they’re halted as Custodio is fouled.
- 2' Cadu gathers the ball straight from the kick off and finds Camora with a pinpoint pass. The winger shows a turn of pace to skip past the challenge and beat his man. Saline recovers well and blocks the ball for a corner.
1' The match is under way. Russian referee Sergei Karasev blows his whistle as the hosts kick off.- 19:40 The home fans are currently holding up a banner with the words 'Respect Beto' on it. The Braga goalkeeper was in between the sticks for the Romanian side when they won the league last season. Nice touch...
- 19:35 Cluj manager Paulo Sergio is more than aware of the attacking threat tonight's opponents pose and believes his side will have to be at their very best to come out on top. "I know Braga and their coach very well. They are a club who have seven Portuguese internationals. My team will be attacking, but that depends on Braga too. It is very important to keep the ball and to use it well. Braga have very skilful players, so we must be more competitive than them."
- 19:30 This, however, will be the first time that Braga have visited Romania but will face a very familiar rival in the Cluj dugout – Portuguese coach Paulo Sergio. The 44-year-old replaced Ioan Andone last month and was previously at the helm of Braga’s most fierce rivals Vitoria SC.
- 19:25 Braga will also be buoyed by the rather poor home form of Cluj in the Champions League over the recent years. The Transylvanian side have managed to notch just one victory in eight home fixtures in this competition. That was against FC Basel in 2010/11.
- 19:20 Jose Peseiro’s men drew with Udinese in the Champions League play-offs before winning 2-0 away at Galatasaray. They went two goals ahead at Old Trafford before Manchester United roared back to a 3-2 victory.
- 19:15 The Portuguese outfit lost 2-0 at home to Cluj on matchday one, with former player Rafael Bastos scoring both goals against them. They won’t go into this game with any fears, though, considering their form away from home this season.
- 19:10 Braga line up in a similarly attacking 4-5-1 formation with a midfield trio of Hugo Viana, Ruben Micael and Custodio, who will sit deep. Ruben Amorim and Alan are the two men supporting frontman Eder. Carlao starts on the bench after making his first appearance since the start of September during his side’s weekend cup victory.
- 19:05 The hosts line up in a 4-5-1 formation with Luis Alberto and Gabriel Muresan, who is available following a domestic ban, featuring as the two holding midfielders. Rui Pedro is the man playing behind striker Rafael Bastos as Camora and Modou Sougou support from the flanks.
- 19:00 The teams are in - Cluj: Felgueiras; Pinto, Cadu, Piccolo, Rada; Luis Alberto, Muresan, Sougou, Rui Pedro, Camora; Rafael Bastos... SUBS: Stancioiu, Kapetanos, Nicoara, Maftei, Bjelanovic, Godemeche, Aguirregaray /// Braga: Beto; Salino, Douglao, Coelho, Ismaily; Ruben Micael, Custodio, hugo Viana; Alan, Amorim, Eder... SUBS: Quim, Mossoro, Barbosa, Elderson, Djamal, Ze Luis, Carlao
- 18:55 However, a defeat would end Braga’s slim hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of the tournament. Similarly, should results not go their way and Cluj lose tonight, they, too, could be eliminated.
- 18:50 This encounter sees third play fourth in what could be a decisive game in the group. A win for either side could catapult them into second place, depending on the result between Galatasaray and Manchester United in the other Group H match.
- 18:45 Good evening and welcome to LIVE coverage of tonight’s Champions League Group H match between CFR Cluj and Braga at the Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu.
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Summary
- 89' Chance for Cluj. Camora's cross from the left is deflected into the path of Aguirregaray who chests the ball down and volleys at goal. Coelho makes a stunning block but the ball falls to Kapetanos who acrobatically sends the ball narrowly wide from 10 yards.
- 82' Camora strikes the post, again!! Braga are really pushing forward now and are caught on the break once more. Camora is sent through on goal and looks certain to score but Beto somehow manages to push the effort onto the far post. Great save.
- 80' Camora strikes the post!! Cluj go on the counter attack as Braga send men forward. Rafael Bastos takes it up field and works the ball over to Camora. The winger takes a neat touch before sending a low shot on goal. Beto gets a finger tip to it which sends it onto the post.
- 78' Braga score, but it's ruled out for offside. Alan gathers the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sends a whipped effort on goal. Felgueiras is equal to it but palms the ball straight into the path of Mossoro, who coolly slots it home. The flag is up straight away, though, and the goal is chalked off.
- 67' Camora, who has done very little this evening, has an effort on goal after cutting in from the left. He fakes inside and out before sending his shot narrowly over the bar from distance.
- 66' Braga again go forward and attack in number. Central defender Coelho is in support and receives the ball 30 yards from goal. There's no pass on so he elects to shoot and fires straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
- 59' Poor defending again from the visitors. Custodio, who has been forced into playing at centre-half, commits himself into a challenge and gets it all wrong. Rafael Bastos gets into the penalty area and forced Beto into a smart save.
- 57' Alan drops deep to collect the ball. He's not challenged and fires a shot at goal. It's not caight too well and flies over the bar. Felgueiras makes himself heard and urges his players to close down the ball.
- 45+1' RED CARD!! DOUGLAO IS SENT OFF!! The centre half, who has had a shocker so far, is sent off for elbowing Rada after the ball had been headed wide for a goal kick. The players came together and the Braga defender simply sent his elbow straight into the face of his opposition. Ridiculous.
- 43' Custodio meets Viana's corner and sends a powerful header on goal. Felgueiras is beaten but the ball is cleared off the line by Pinto.
- 39' Eder is instantly back in the thick of the action as he finds some space in between Cadu and Piccolo. The front man surges into the box and pulls the trigger from the right but Piccolo recovers well to block the shot.
- 33' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! RUI PEDRO HAS HIS HAT-TRICK!! The ball is worked down the line for Sougou who cuts the ball back well for the midfielder to make his way into the box and slam the ball past Beto from 15 yards.
- 29' Luis Alberto tries his luck from distance. He receives a pass from the left and unleashes a curling effort on goal. Beto dives to his right and palms it away. Great effort.
- 27' Custodio and Hugo Viana exchange a number of passes in the middle of the field before the latter unleashes a wicked effort on goal from 30 yards. It's hit very well but is straight at the goalkeeper.
- 20' Eder finds some space down the left flank and is found by Custodio. The front man shimmies past Ivo Pinto and fires a shot at goal from a tight angle. Felgueiras looks concerned by the effort as it flies past him into the side netting. Encouraging.
- 17' GOAL!! BRAGA SCORE!! Alan gets his fifth goal this season. Ruben Micael capitalises on a poor clearance and lofts a delightful ball into the path of Alan on the right of the penalty area. The striker gets the ball out of his feet to send the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net.
- 15' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! Rui Pedro scores again. The hosts turn defence into attack and go two goals up. Sougou latches onto a flicked header and shows great determination to beat the Braga defenders to the ball. The winger gets a toe on the ball and plays it into the path of Rui Pedro who sends the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from 12 yards.
- 7' GOAL FOR CLUJ!! Rui Pedro scores. The midfielder gets in behind the Braga defence and is found by Rafel Bastos' wondeful backheeled pass. Rui Pedro takes one touch before stroking the ball beyong Beto.
- 19:00 The teams are in - Cluj: Felgueiras; Pinto, Cadu, Piccolo, Rada; Luis Alberto, Muresan, Sougou, Rui Pedro, Camora; Rafael Bastos... SUBS: Stancioiu, Kapetanos, Nicoara, Maftei, Bjelanovic, Godemeche, Aguirregaray /// Braga: Beto; Salino, Douglao, Coelho, Ismaily; Ruben Micael, Custodio, hugo Viana; Alan, Amorim, Eder... SUBS: Quim, Mossoro, Barbosa, Elderson, Djamal, Ze Luis, Carlao
Team Line-up & Ratings
- CFR 1907 Cluj
Manager: Paulo Sérgio
Sporting Braga
Manager: José Peseiro
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- M. Felgueiras
- I. Pinto
- Cadú
- F. Piccolo
- I. Rada
- Luís Alberto
- G. Muresan
- M. Sougou
- R. Pedro
×3 - Camora
- R. Bastos
Subs
Starting line-up
Subs
- Elderson
- H. Barbosa
33′ - Quim
- M. Mossoró 69′
- Carlão
- Z. Luis 57′
- Djamal
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Rate Players
ala cu Dica , dupa ce ca esti prost mai si comentezi ... Dica a dat dubla nu hat-trick ...
Goal Braga scored again ? #$%$ ? Pedro is in CFR Cluj. Too many mistakes in the commentaries !
STAT: That was the first hat-trick in the Champions League scored by a Romanian team's player. fals it was DICA FROM STEAUA :)
Hope Cluj can win this...
