A full stadium, with about 14 thousand fans, this Sunday pushed Farense to the promotion to the II League, in a very disputed game that had emotion until the final whistle. Farense won 2-1 against Leiria, returning to the professional levels of Portuguese football, where they had not been active for over 10 years and is the Champion of the South Zone of the II National Division Championship.
Farense scored early, at 3 minutes, by Bruno Brandão and the atmosphere that was already a party became even more lively.
The 14 thousand fans present, with the supporters of the South Side Boys highlighted, were making the party. And there were several occasions for that, as only in the first half the home team saw two goals disallowed for offside and saw the bar deny the goal.
Farense went to half-time to win precisely, despite Leiria having given a good reply and also having the opportunity to score. On their return from the dressing room, the home team continued to show that they didn't want to suffer and went looking for the second. Once again, a goal disallowed for offside and the ball at the post.
The home fans despaired of the referee and the reluctance of the ball to enter again and the biggest fears were confirmed in the 75th minute, when Emiliano tied the game.
At this point, it became clear what a stadium with so many people could do to lead the team to victory and São Luís became a real hell. At 81, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of the home team and Ibukum didn't miss.
Leiria tried to react, but Farense knew how to manage the result until the end, in a game that had 6 minutes of compensation.
As soon as the final whistle blew, fans invaded the field to celebrate with the players and coaching staff.
"With such a human frame, no investor can resist!"
At the end of the game, club president António Barão reflected the emotion and joy that was felt throughout the stadium. Right after the final whistle, the Farense manager went to Aníbal Guerreiro, the club's benefactor, to hug him and celebrate this achievement with him, with tears running down his cheeks.
To journalists, António Barão said the pride he felt in the team, which came to be seven points behind Mafra, which led almost the entire championship, but which managed to be promoted with a final point of respect, with six consecutive victories.
He also thanked Aníbal Guerreiro, the man who “brought him to Farense” and without whom “this climb would not have been possible”.
With the promotion to professional levels, Farense faces other challenges, financial and sporting. With regard to the latter, António Barão considered that the club's place «is the I Liga», but was more cautious when it came to plotting a new rise as a goal for the next season.
When it comes to financial challenges, António Barão doesn't hesitate: «With such a human frame, no investor can resist!»
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