Europa League: Superb Fradi defeat Braga in last 16 first leg

Ferencváros started with a high defensive line and high-intensity attack, which seemed to unsettle their Portuguese opponent's players. Nevertheless, Braga's players played their own game and tried to get around the opponent with low, short passes. Scottish referee Nick Walsh often had to blow his whistle, the majority of the fouls committed by the visitors.

In the middle of the half, home goalkeeper Dávid Gróf brilliantly saved two Portuguese attempts on goal in the space of two minutes, before Ferencváros relieved that brief pressure by stealing possession, combining quickly and opening the scoring courtesy of Gabi Kanichowsky. This slender advantage was preserved thereafter thanks to a well-organised defence and Kanichowsky could even have doubled his tally, but his low shot towards the bottom right corner of the net was saved by the visiting goalkeeper. In the last few minutes before the break, a long-range attempt was diverted for a corner by Gróf.

Fradi seemed largely in control in the second half too and they scored a deserved second goal midway through the half when Joseph scored following excellent work from Makreckis. As the match entered its final stages, Braga sought to score at least one goal to take back home and keep the tie well and truly alive, but their pressure didn't tell, so Hungary's reigning league title holders will travel to next week's second leg in a tremendous position.

This latest success also extended Robbie Keane's team's unbeaten home record in the Europa League to six matches.

The tie's second leg will be held next Wednesday in Braga, the club which advances due to meet the winner of the round of 16 tie between Panathinaikos of Greece and Real Betis of Spain in the quarter-finals. Currently, Panathinaikos are ahead in the tie, having won the first leg 1-0 in Athens.

UEFA Europa League, Round of 16, 1st leg:

Ferencvárosi TC 2-0 SC Braga (POR) (HT: 1-0)
Groupama Aréna,
Att: 19,859, ref.: Nick Walsh (SCO)
Goalscorers: Kanichowsky (32), Joseph (69)
Yellow cards: FTC: Zachariassen (25), BRA: Arrey-Mbi (61), Moscardo (74)

Ferencvárosi TC: Gróf - Cissé, Raemaekers, Gomez - Makreckis, Kanichowsky, Abu Fani (Madarász, 90), Zachariassen, O'Dowda - Yusuf (Kovacevic, 93), Joseph (Julio Romao, 84)

SC Braga: Hornicek - Lagerbielke, Niakaté (Moscardo, 63), Arrey-Mbi, Leonardo Lelo (Rodrigues, 90) - Joao Moutinho (Gorby, 74), Grillitsch, Dorgeles (Martínez, 63) - Ricardo Horta, Zalazar - Pau Victor (Navarro, 74).