Friendlies wrap: Big three disappoint, Braga win
Roberto clangers cost Benfica defeat; Porto and Sporting draw
 Pre-season friendlies are notoriously bad portents of what will follow when things get serious, and just as well for Portugal’s traditional Big Three.
Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting all put in disappointing displays yesterday. Braga, on the other hand, looked far livelier as they clocked up a convincing win.
Benfica fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sion in Switzerland. It was a match to forget for new Eagles goalkeeper Roberto (pictured). Two crass misjudgements from the Spaniard allowed Mpenza and Prijovic to score easy goals at the start and end of the match.
In between Pablo Aimar equalised and only a series of fine saves from Sion stopper Vanins denied the Portuguese champions from getting a positive result. Coach Jorge Jesus was not overly concerned with the defeat, saying his side had played better than when beating FC Monthey 3-0 on Saturday.
Hulk thunderbolt
FC Porto gave a listless performance in the opening match of their pre-season training camp in Germany. The Dragons drew 1-1 against fourth-division outfit Preussen Munster.
Andre Villas Boas’ team got off to the perfect start as Hulk hit a fierce long-range shot into the net on 4 minutes. But the equaliser arrived soon afterwards when Jonathan Pourpault took advantage of a poor clearance from Souza. Colombian striker Falcao hit the bar twice in the second half but Porto had to settle for a draw.
Red Card pardoned
Sporting got an identical result against Nice in France. On 14 minutes the hosts took the lead as Torsiglieri gave away a penalty and Remy made no mistake. There was a curious incident on the hour mark. Nice’s Pote was sent off after a nasty challenge on Grimi, but after conversations between both coaches and the referee the red card was rescinded and it remained eleven against eleven.
The Lions equalised in the 74th minute, again from the penalty spot as Sinama Pongolle made no mistake after Andre Cid had handled in the box. The game also saw Chilean signing Valdes make his Sporting debut, coming on as a late substitute.
Brazilian firepower
Unlike the big three, Braga are preparing for the new campaign at home, and yesterday scored a 3-1 home victory over Liga da Honra side Moreirense. It was a tale of three Brazilians for Braga, as Paulo Cesar, Alan and Lima scored after the Arsenalistas had fallen behind to an Anderson goal.
by Tom Kundert
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Morriera should get a chance