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Braga 2 - 0 Grasshoppers

UEFA CUP: Braga advance after beating Swiss

/noticias.info/ SC Braga made sure of their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup after a scrappy victory at home to already-eliminated Grasshopper-Club.

Braga finish third
João Pinto set the ball rolling for the hosts with a thumping effort shortly after the hour and substitute Vítor Castanheira made sure of the three points in stoppage time. The win lifts the Portuguese side into third place in the Group C standings, one point clear of FC Slovan Liberec who had finished their group campaign with a 2-2 draw against group winners AZ Alkmaar a fortnight ago.

Frustrating first half
Braga enjoyed the majority of possession in the first period but were largely frustrated by their opponents. Zé Carlos fired wide from distance on six minutes but it was not until the 28th minute that Rogério Gonçalves's side fashioned another scoring opportunity, Vandinho failing to test Grasshoppers keeper Fabio Coltorti with an effort from 25 metres. With half-time approaching, Zé Carlos became the first player to force a save from Coltorti while Paulo Santos denied Sreto Ristic at the other end.

On course
It was João Pinto who put Braga on course for the three points they needed 16 minutes into the second half. Wender delivered a free-kick from the right and the No10 sent the ball flying past Coltorti with an emphatic first-time strike. Vandinho might have made it two on 68 minutes only to be foiled by Coltorti yet the Portuguese side finally made the win safe in the 91st minute. Luís Filipe crossed from the right and Castanheira, an 82nd-minute replacement for Maciel, buried the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. While Braga march on, Grasshoppers are left licking their wounds after four straight losses. notas_de_prensa_archivo