(Adds Mourinho quotes para 7-8, Le Guen last para)
By Julien Pretot
LYON, France, April 7 - Maniche Ribeiro scored
twice to ease Porto into the Champions League semi-finals with a
2-2 draw at Olympique Lyon on Wednesday.
The UEFA Cup holders completed a 4-2 aggregate success and
set up a semi-final against Deportivo Coruna, who upset holders
AC Milan in Wednesday's other quarter-final return.
Maniche fired high into the net after only six minutes from
Deco Souza's clever pass to open the scoring.
French international Peguy Luyindula equalised for Lyon
eight minutes later but Maniche's volleyed finish from another
Deco pass two minutes after the break killed the tie.
Lyon had Brazilian defender Edmilson sent off 16 minutes
from time before his compatriot Giovane Elber scored a late
consolation equaliser.
The result means Porto, who reached the Champions League
semi-finals 10 years ago, have now not lost to Lyon in four
matches after winning their first three encounters.
"Lyon took risks and were dangerous in the first half when
they were breaking down the wings. We had problems dealing with
it," Porto coach Jose Mourinho told reporters.
"In the second half it was much easier," he added.
The hosts had to attack in a bid to overhaul Porto's 2-0
first-leg lead and Luyindula found the net in the fourth minute
but his effort was harshly ruled out for offside.
A minute later, Luyindula's low strike was blocked by Porto
keeper Vitor Baia as Lyon piled on the pressure.
However, it was Porto who opened the scoring with their
first chance when Maniche, set up by Deco, blasted the ball into
the top right-hand corner of Gregory Coupet's goal.
Luyindula gave the home side a little hope in the 14th
minute when he controlled a cross from winger Florent Malouda on
his left thigh and poked the ball home with his right foot.
PERMANENT THREAT
Lyon, knowing they had to score another three goals to stay
in the competition, continued to press hard with Luyindula a
permanent threat to the Porto defence.
After half an hour, Lyon's Brazilian striker Giovane Elber
forced Vitor Baia to a save his curling 18-metre shot.
But the French champions were not rewarded for their efforts
as Porto's back four maintained their concentration.
Stuck in their own half for most of the first 35 minutes,
Porto broke twice, only for Coupet to deny first Deco and then
Benni McCarthy a second goal for the visitors.
The Portuguese side had another chance just before the
interval but McCarthy failed to take advantage of a Jeremy
Berthod blunder as he shot wide.
Porto made a stunning start to the second half, dashing
their opponent's hopes when Maniche volleyed home another
perfect cross from Deco in the 47th minute.
"In the second half, we decided to push harder and they
killed us. It was a matter of experience," said Malouda.
Porto held firm as Lyon played three forwards after Bryan
Bergougnoux replaced the disappointing Juninho on the hour mark.
A frustrated Edmilson was sent off 16 minutes from time
after a second booking for a foul on Paulo Ferreira before Elber
salvaged a little pride for Lyon with a last minute header from
a cross by Malouda to secure a draw on the night.
"We did what we could and with a little more luck could have
won and maybe qualified as we played to a very high standard in
the first half," said disappointed Lyon coach Paul Le Guen.