lewlian Posted September 13, 2006 Posted September 13, 2006 LISBON, Sept 12 - A brilliant goal from midfielder Marco Caneira gave Sporting a 1-0 win over 10-man Inter Milan in their opening Champions League Group B match on Tuesday. Caneira scored in the 64th minute, chesting down a high crossfield ball from defender Tonel, touching it past Maicon and unleashing a dipping volley from outside the box that went in off the underside of the bar. Keeper Francesco Toldo leapt and managed to get a touch but failed to turn the ball over. "We said nothing is impossible in soccer, we knew about the difficulties we would face but managed to reduce those difficulties with excellent organisation," said Sporting coach Paulo Bento. "We were a team that was close to perfect." "We have beaten a great team," said Caneira, who scored his first goal in the Champions League. The Italian side were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes when Patrick Vieira was sent off for head-butting Brazilian striker Liedson, the France midfielder's second bookable offence. "We were penalized for the fact that we were reduced to 10 players, but it was during that time that we played better and got closer to scoring," said Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini. "It wasn't one player that lost it was the whole team." However, Macini said this defeat would not hamper Inter Milan's objective of reaching the final stages of the competition. "This team has the ability to do better and this reult does not compromise its objectives in the Champions League," he said. Sporting stepped up the pace after Vieira was sent off and had more scoring opportunities but Inter were poor and had only three good chances. Dejan Stankovic and Adriano had shots in the first half saved by Ricardo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was just wide with a late effort when Inter tried desperately to find an equaliser. The Lisbon team had been hit by injuries to several players including Paraguayan international defender Carlos Paredes and Bento picked four young talents who impressed in a fine team performance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What's with French players and head-butting? ;D
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