“It would be a sin not to see Nuno Assis at the World Cup” – Paulo Sergio
Vitoria Guimaraes 2-0 Nacional
 Inspired by another sparkling display from midfielder Nuno Assis, Vitoria Guimaraes beat Nacional 2-0 to consolidate 5th place in the standings and boost their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season.
The Dom Afonso Henriques stadium was the venue for the final Liga Sagres match of round 22. From early on, with Portugal international Assis pulling the strings in the middle of the park, the hosts took control of proceedings.
In little over half an hour the match was as good as decided. Roberto headed Guimaraes ahead from a corner in the 8th minute and Desmarets doubled the lead after having a chance laid on a plate for him by Assis.
Manuel Machado tried to change the course of the match, using his three substitutions by the hour mark, but the home team continued to dominate and could have added to the scoreline.
Both teams face difficult opposition next weekend, with Guimaraes travelling to Alvalade to face Sporting while Nacional welcome league leaders Benfica to Madeira.
Paulo Sergio, Vitoria Guimaraes coach:
“It would be a sin not to see Nuno Assis in South Africa. I don’t see in the big clubs players at the same level as him. I don’t want to believe that because he doesn’t play for a big club or abroad he has fewer credentials. He is a player that exhales perfume.
“Vitoria deserved to win for everything we did in the game. We were a clarified team, with a lot of football. The match at Alvalade? We’ll be going determined to win.”
V. Guimaraes:
Nilson, Alex, Valdomiro, Gustavo Lazaretti, Andrezinho, Moreno (Flavio Meireles, 80), Joao Alves, Nuno Assis, Rui Miguel (Marquinho, 68), Roberto, Desmarets (Renan, 91)
Yellow Cards: Nuno Assis
Nacional:
Bracali, Patacas (Anselmo, 64), Felipe Lopes, Alex Bruno, Nuno Pinto, Cleber (Pecnik, 32), Diego Barcellos (Salino, 53), Luis Alberto, Thiago Gentil, Joao Aurelio, Pedro Oldoni
Yellow Cards: Luis Alberto, Bracali, Alex Bruno
Goals:
[1-0] Roberto, 6
[2-0] Desmarets, 35
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