Wien punished by Porto
Thursday, November 14, 2002
Article summary
FC Porto 2-0 FK Austria Wien(Agg: 3-0) Portuguese leaders too strong for Wien.
Article body
FC Porto maintained their excellent form with a professional performance in atrocious weather conditions against FK Austria Wien that gave them a 2-0 victory on the night, and a 3-0 triumph on aggregate.
Attacking start
In driving rain, the Portuguese league leaders were defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg, given them by Derlei's away goal a fortnight ago. Naturally, the visitors began in an attacking mood, trying to wipe out that advantage as soon as possible.
Derlei miss
However, they very nearly conceded a second goal in the tie after just two minutes of play at the Estádio das Antas. Derlei was perfectly placed to score but contrived to miss the target. A minute later, Hélder Postiga supplied playmaker Deco, but the in-form Brazilian's long-range drive went narrowly wide.
Mandl stop
Despite the downpour, both teams tried to play good football and pass the ball along the ground. Unfortunately, after that early flurry, neither could find an end product to match their enterprising play. Paulo Ferreira had a good chance but Thomas Mandl was equal to it in the Wien goal.
Free-kick miss
The Austrian Bundesliga leaders had their first real opportunity after 15 minutes. Michael Wagner let fly with a free-kick just outside the penalty area but missed by a matter of centimetres. Instead the breakthrough came at the other end, 14 minutes later, when Clayton surged down the flank and crossed for Hélder Postiga to head into the net.
Daum men unlucky
Wien were visibly deflated by the goal, although Belgian defender Didier Dheedene tried to urge his team-mates to push forward. Try as they might, however, Christophe Daum's men could not find a way through.
Sticky surface
Into the second half and Derlei should have scored in the 50th minute but found Mandl in his way. Wien kept trying on a sticky surface against a combative midfield but there was only going to be one winner - a fact underlined by Derlei's eventual reward for his positive play. Just before the end, he slotted home after good work from Edgaras Jankauskas.
