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SPORTING LISBON WIN 2-1 ON AGGREGATE Bolton have been knocked out of this season's UEFA Cup on an emotional night in Lisbon. A late goal from Marques Bruno Pereirinha gave Sporting a 2-1 aggregate victory and sent them into the Quarter-Finals. Around 1,500 Wanderers fans made the trip to the Portuguese capital and backed their side tremendously throughout, with free scarves handed out to the visiting fans on entry to the ground. Bolton boss Gary Megson opted to field a weakened side, with Sunday's Premier League game with Wigan taking priority over this game. Sporting had the first chance of the game with just 66 seconds on the clock, but Simon Vukcevic's well placed free-kick was turned round the post by Ali Al-Habsi. But Bolton responded well and had an opportunity to take the lead after seven minutes. Nicky Hunt's long ball picked out Ricardo Vaz Te who controlled well on his chest before shooting into the side netting. The home side had exposed Jlloyd Samuel as a weak point in the Wanderers defence and used that to their advantage. Marat Izmailov had a chance to open the scoring but fired over following a good flick from Vukcevic. Samuel, who was having a poor game, conceded possession to Liedson. The Brazilian teed up Vukcevic but his shot flew just wide of Al-Habsi's goal. Despite seeing more of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, Sporting failed to create many clear cut chances. But they almost took the lead just before the break, but Al-Habsi pulled off a good save to deny Leandro Romagnoli. Danny Guthrie had one hopeful shot just before the break, but Sporting goalkeeper Pedro Rui Patricio made a routine save. The second period started in a slow fashion, with neither side creating any early chances and Bolton looking happy to chase the ball. Pereirinha forced Al-Habsi into a straightforward save in the 56th minute after a shot from twenty yards. Liedson had the best chance of the game with less than ten minutes to go, but his shot from ten yards was met by an instinctive save from the Bolton goalkeeper. But despite making a string of five saves, Al-Habsi was beaten with five minutes remaining by a fine strike. Portugal under-21 international Pereirinha worked his way inside Samuel in the box before curling an effort past Al-Habsi and into the top corner. Television coverage then turned to disappointed Wanderers fans who had made the trip, as they knew their European tour was coming to an end. Joao Moutinho almost doubled the lead a minute later, but Al-Habsi tipped his shot over the bar. With three minutes of stoppage time added, Sporting kept the ball well and after a short stoppage due to an injury to Joey O'Brien, French referee Bertrand Layec blew time. The Wanderers players went over to applaud their strong travelling support with Nicky Hunt and Stelios looking very disappointed with the defeat. Some home fans stayed behind to show support to the Bolton fans, with pleasantries being shared with handing over of scarves and the shaking of hands. After the trouble which marred the last 32 game against Atletico Madrid, Bolton fans and players bow out of the UEFA Cup, with their heads held firmly high. |
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