Close enough

Link for the match tonight

http://www.iraqgoals.net/10495-benfica- ... land-.html

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... art=sports

Good man Lights

Bruce has been right about the previous games, only good for getting fit. This probably is part of that as well but it'll be a good test to show where we are.

Anyone got the score? The links don't work on my phone.

2-0 loss. Didn't exactly put out our strongest side.

Sunderland lined up with a mixture of youth and some experience in the starting eleven this evening.

Mignolet continued in goal to convince Bruce that the two he conceded against Hull were a one off, but let him down with another two goals going past him rather too easily.

Sunderland looked lively in patches with some good movement but very little threat up front. Kenwyne Jones started up front this evening but Steve Bruce may be left thinking he should have left him in defence.

Jones had the best chance of the evening in the 23rd minute when Steed Malbranque whipped in a lovely cross only for the Trinidad and Tobago forward to miss the header completely. 79% of Vital Sunderland members voted on him being better up front but they maybe changing their votes after that sitter!

Granted, Benfica are a different class to Sunderland who should be proud with four academy players finishing the game with Waghorn, Liddle, Colback and Henderson all having minutes under their belts. Whilst they bring on Aimar and Saviola at half time!

Waghorn replaced Jones in the 30th minute after going down awkwardly and holding his knee. The young striker did himself no harm on his lonesome ahead of the midfield and shows he can be use to SAFC this season.

Colback started very poorly with possession always being given away and silly mistakes to opposition but he improved as the game went on. He drifted to the left wing in the later stages and produced some nice crosses only for their strong defence to see out any danger.

The most impressive player for Sunderland was Muhammadi Al-Muhammadi on the right wing in the first half and then an accomplished performance as right back in the second half. He will be a useful player for Sunderland with his intelligent vision, pace and flexibility between positions on the right hand side.

Sunderland will have came away from this tour happy with the three games and what they have done for fitness and game plans. However, Sunderland fans can all see that this team is sorely missing a steady goalkeeper, creative midfielders and a left back that can defend.

Plenty of time left for Bruce to get the players he is chasing and also plenty of time to gel the team together for another long season in the Premiership.

Darren Bent could return to action for Sunderland in friendly at Leicester, while newly-signed centre-back Titus Bramble is in line for his debut.Midfielder Lee Cattermole will step up his return from niggling injury by playing against both Leicester and Hoffenheim.

Striker Bent's sore hamstring had been a concern in Portugal and he was rested for Tuesday's clash with Benfica as a precautionary measure.But if he passes a late fitness test he will start the game tomorrow and fans will be interested to see who partners the club's record signing up front – Kenwyne Jones or in-form Fraizer Campbell.

There will be no sight of Cristian Riveros, though, who is still awaiting clearance.But Paraguayan captain Paulo Da Silva could come into contention for the game after returning to Wearside from extended leave because of his World Cup commitments.

Bruce said: "We're not too worried about the fitness side of things with Cristian and Paulo – they were playing in the World Cup just three weeks ago, so they won't be far away."As for Bramble, Bruce said: "He's been working hard in the gym on his overall fitness."He had the shin injury from last season but he's over that now and we've just been playing it safe."The Portuguese games were too soon for him, but he's got every chance for the Leicester game and certainly for the game out in Germany."

SAFC (from): Angeleri, Bardsley, Bent, Bramble, Campbell, Carson, Cattermole, Colback, Da Silva, Al-Muhammadi, Ferdinand, Henderson, Jones, Liddle, Malbranque, Mignolet, Richardson, Turner, Waghorn, Zenden.

Any streams?

Sorry mate, no streams as far as I was aware, I listened on the radio.

Well, we dragged ourselves kicking and screaming through the first half and were very lucky to still be level at half time. A friendly I know but it was a very strong team put out. Second half we looked a lot more like a Premier League side but with a few glaring mistakes thrown in that would be punished in our league. Campbell scored again and by all accounts it was a well taken goal.

Henderson and Ferdinand both went of with injuries although judging by the commentary it was more precaution than anything else.