Portugal Edge Past Brazil in Coimbra

Portugal edged past Brazil in Coimbra on Thursday, winning 21-17. The result sees os Tupis ending their three-match European tour winless. Suggesting the tour was a failure, would be inaccurate though as Brazil showed marked improvement.

The test match was the second on record between the countries. The prior international took place in São Paulo in 2013. On that occasion the visiting Portuguese hammered Brazil, winning 68-0.

Thursday’s match saw four tries being scored in total, two by each team. Portugal’s four point win came from goal kicking. The result was a win for the home side but a moral victory for the ever-developing Brazilians.

The South Americans started out strongly. Just three minutes into the match and Moisés Duque opened the scoring. His penalty made it 3-0. Portuguese fullback José Lima looked to hit back though his first penalty attempt hit the posts.

A quick-taken lineout from Brazil saw the Sancery brothers, Daniel and Felipe, combining brilliantly. Catching Portugal off guard The latter of the two crossed for the game’s opening try. Duque added the conversion to give Brazil a 10-0 lead.

Portugal opened their account in the 23rd minute. While Brazil had won the opening quarter the second would belong to Portugal. A break from Tomás Appleton enabled the center to link with Lima for Portugal’s first try. With the conversion wayward the score became 10-5 to Brazil.

Lima’s early goal kicking woes would be ended. The fullback would go on to kick two penalties late in the first half. This ensured the home side went into the interval with an 11-10 lead.

The home side built on its come back by opening the second half in style. A clean line break saw fly half Nuno Penha Costa in the right place at the right time to latch on to a pass and score.

In looking to respond an eager Brazil lost Matheus Daniel to a yellow card. The 63rd minute offense saw Portugal extending their advantage. The Europeans went 21-10 ahead. By the time Brazil was back to 15 players there would only be seven minutes left to play.

Portuguese No 8 Pedro Rosa would also see yellow. The 71st minute offense gave Brazil a sniff at an unlikely turn around. The South Americans turned down a kickable three points to go to for the corner. The calculated risk paid off as quick thinking from scrum half Beukes Cremer sent Duque over for a try. Duque added the conversion to make it a four point game with time left to play.

With tensions heating up both teams lost additional players to a yellow card. This saw Portugal finishing with twelve players and Brazil fourteen.

The Brazilians are now on their way home. They will take a break before beginning preparations for the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship. The competition will be played in February and March.

SCORERS
PORTUGAL
Try:  Lima, Penha Costa
Conversion: Lima
Penalty: Lima (3)

BRAZIL
Try: F Sancery, Duque
Conversion: Duque (2)
Penalty: Duque

PORTUGAL
15 José Lima, 14 Pedro Silvério, 13 Tomás Appleton, 12 Vasco Ribeiro, 11 Duarte Moreira, 10 Nuno Penha Costa, 9 Francisco Pinto Magalhães, 8 Pedro Rosa, 7 Sebastião Villax, 6 Maxime Vaz, 5 Gonçalo Uva, 4 João Lino, 3 Franciso Bruno, 2 Duarte Diniz, 1 Bruno Medeiros

Replacements: 16 João Vasco Corte-Real, 17 Duarte Foro, 18 José Conde, 19 José Fino, 20 Miguel Macedo, 21 João Belo, 22 Manuel Vilela Pereira, 23 Duarte Marques

BRAZIL
15 Daniel Sancery, 14 Robert Tenório, 13 Felipe Sancery, 12 Luan Smanio, 11 Stefano Giantorno, 10 Moisés Duque, 9 Beukes Cremer, 8 Nick Smith, 7 João Luiz da Ros, 6 Matheus Daniel, 5 Gabriel Paganini, 4 Lucas Piero, 3 Flávio Chuahy, 2 Yan Rosetti, 1 Alexandre Alves

Replacements: 16 Daniel Danielewicz, 17 Jonatas Paulo, 18 Caique Silva, 19 Cléber Dias, 20 Joabe Sousa, 21 Bruno Garcia, 22 Mateus Estrela, 23 Guilherme Coghetto