Hearts 2-2 SC Braga
Braga. A dogged display by Craig Leveins men took them through to the first
ever group stages of the UEFA cup. Actually, due to the earlier-than-usual
kick off time of 6:30, Hearts are the first EVER team to qualify!
Hearts worst fears of losing an early goal were upheld, as a defensive
misunderstanding between full-back Robbie Neilson and 'keeper Craig Gordon.
They both seemed to leave the ball to oneanother, and Joao Thomas nipped in
and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper. 12 minutes gone, 1-0 Braga.
How were Hearts to respond to an early setback? Well, after a bit of
defending, Hearts came more and more into the game. Suddenly it was more
defensive calamity, this time it was at the Braga end. Braga defender Paulo
Jorge tried to head a ball back to his goalkeeper, but was too delicate
with his touch, and as Hearts Striker Mark DeVries steamed in, he got the
slightest of touches just before the Braga keeper Paul Santos had a chance
to pick it up. The 1500 traveling Hearts fans went wild in their
celebration.
Half time
The second half showed that Hearts were here to make a game of it. Only 3
minutes were on the clock when Hearts took the lead. Mark DeVries collected
the ball just outside the area, tricked a couple of defenders and shot low
past Santos. 2-1 Hearts. Now it all looked rosy.
The Referee tried his best to spoil the occasion with his petty free kick
awards and being conned by Braga's playacting. Several Hearts players were
booked for tackles that are the norm in the daily grind of the SPL, and
Paul Hartley was lucky not to be ordered off for a tackle late on.
Braga weren't giving up without a fight though. They peppered Craig
Gordon's goal later in the second half with shots, but without too much
venom. Braga's toil was rewarded with an equalizing 'consolation' goal with
just over 15 minutes to go. Jaime bundled the ball over the line from close
range following a series of corners to Braga. Hearts made a couple of
substitutes near the end. Hero of the Hour DeVries made way for Kevin
McKenna's first appearance of the season, and Phil Stamp was replaced to
give Ramon Pereira his first run out since he injured his ankle in training
3 weeks ago.