Braga 2 v Benfica 1

Golf balls and off the bench refereeing decisions,

Benfica have lost their first match in a long while, it came at the hands of SC Braga and at a time when Benfica needed the three points to keep the pressure on FC Porto.

From the off Benfica seemed a team capable of getting a good result, but Braga had other intentions, throwing it all at Benfica.

On the 24th minute Saviola made it 1-0 when a free kick from Carlos Martins was badly handed by Artur, Saviola pounced to score.

The key moment for Braga’s game came on the 40th minute, when Javi Garcia was sent off after Alan fell to the floor claiming to have been punched in the throat, and with the Braga bench and officials all in agreement (and probably one made before the game) saw the red card routinely raised by Xistra. The resulting free kick from the side line saw Hugo Viana lob Roberto whom was way off his line.

The crowd egged on by the stadium announcer lost all control, and on a dry night, it seemed to rain golf balls and coins, many hitting Benfica players.

Benfica took to the pitch in the second half, with Saviola coming off and Airton coming in.

It seemed most attacks created Benfica just could not find the opening needed.

When the chances finally came, Cardozo and Coentrao were the two players who danced in front of goal but failed to convert.

Mossoro then ended Benfica’s night with a sweet right footer that again went over Roberto to make it 2-1.

In a finally summary: The game was played from the bench onwards, Braga had all intentions to get a result here, and pretty obvious from the crowd’s handling of Golf Balls, bad refereeing and play acting.. With Benfica also having a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.

Nani's Goal

VIDEO at the bottom

Although I don’t condone cheating and I truly support fair play.
Nani's goal yesterday was a freak incident that in true fairness points to the pressures of financial involvement in the world of football today, the position at the end of the season counts on goals if equal on points, the pize kitty is bigger the higher you finish, the Champions League spot is worth £50 million.

In a local park today you will probably see a player stop as the ball went out or he thought he was offside, when the referee has not blown the whistle, you will also hear his coach scream 'why did you stop, did the ref blow?

So why would a player stop play in the premiership when the ball is STILL in play?
Fair play would be considered if a player is down injured and you put the ball out, or you pass the ball back from the same throw in.
Obviously cheating should and is discouraged from the game. Diving is a major part of the problem, but when you are presented with a chance to score a goal because the opposing goalkeeper chose to believe it should have been a foul, and then I am afraid Spurs should point the finger at their keeper Gomes.
Clatenburg has been involved in many incidents; he should be disciplined for not blowing the whistle, regardless of whether he thought Spurs had the advantage or not.
Would I have done the same in a Sunday league match? Yes, it gives my team 3 points.