Heerenveen out after losing at home to Braga

Thursday 04 December 2008

Heerenveen's enterprises in Europe came to a halt tonight as they lost their third group game at home to Braga (1-2) and have no chance of progressing to the next round.

After serious defeats against AC Milan (1-3) and VfL Wolfsburg (5-1) Heerenveen knew they had to win their third game to stand a chance of qualification via a win in their last tie against Portsmouth.

For Braga who had gained three points before this game the stakes were high as well as tonight's game was their last of this stage.

And it were the Portuguese who started the conversation.

Colombian forward Wason Renteria saw a long shot being stopped by Heerenveen keeper Kenny Steppe.

In the same minute Roy Beerens saw a shot go just wide, but after 19 minutes Heerenveen opened the score when Gerald Sibon blasted a free kick into the top corner.

But the lead was no reason for the Friesian fans to sit back and relax as their team rarely finish a game without conceding.

That knowledge inspired coach Trond Sollied to use some Cruyffian wisdom before the game when he said that "keeping a clean sheet is not important, scoring one more than our opponents is".

Heerenveen conceded the expected goal within the first half.

After Matheus Nascimento had tested the woodwork Renteria equalized with a header from a Albert Zé cross.

Paulo Henrique, who replaced the injured Mika Vayrynen had a big chance before the break, but net minder Eduardo Carvalho got a hand to it.

Ten minutes into the second half the visitors took the lead when Luis Aguiar lashed in a free kick via the cross bar.

Heerenveen then of course went looking for the equalizer but their biggest chance was squandered by Paulo Henrique, who missed an absolute sitter.

The last game against Portsmouth - who were also eliminated by Wolfsburg tonight - is one for the statistics only.