Liga Sagres wrap: Wins for Braga, Vitoria

5 March 2013 00:27

Sporting Braga continued their push for a Champions League qualifying place with a 1-0 Liga Sagres win at Olhanense on Monday.

Leandro Salino scored the only goal of the match at Estadio Jose Arcanjo, the Brazilian midfielder firing past Olhanense goalkeeper Rafael Bracalli for just his second goal of the season.

The hosts pressed for an equaliser in the second half but to no avail, succumbing to an 11th loss of the season to remain just one point clear of the relegation zone in 14th place.

A second consecutive win takes Braga to 37 points, one point behind Pacos de Ferreira, who occupy the only Champions League qualifying place in third.

Leaders Benfica and Porto, who are locked in a two-way race for the title, have all but sewn up their places in Europe's premier club completion next term.

In Monday's other match, Vitoria Guimaraes condemned Academica to a fourth straight loss with a 2-0 victory at home.

Tiago Rodrigues and El Arbi Hillel Soudani scored inside the opening 20 minutes to lift Rui Vitoria's side into eighth place.

Having scored just once in their past five matches, Academica have been dragged into a fight for survival and sit just four points clear of the relegation places in 12th.