Portimonense beat Sporting 2-0, in a game counting for the League Cup Group Stage, played this Tuesday at Municipal de Portimão. The Algarvians were the fair winners, in a match in which they showed no fear of the leader of the I League and in which there were two penalties awarded, one for each side, but which only the team from Portimão managed to convert into a goal.
With this victory, Portimonense is in a privileged position to reach the semi-finals of this competition. In the last round, on January 26th, the Algarvians go to Paços de Ferreira, where they just have to guarantee a draw to pass, and they may not even need it.
The home team came in very bold and were the first to create danger, as soon as the game started. After the first corner, after the first minute, the ball went very close to the post.
Sporting, which entered the field with some less used players, tried to impose itself and managed to have more ball, but it wasn't very clear at the time of submission. The Algarvians, on the other hand, were waiting for opportunities to counterattack to cause danger whenever they could.
And it was in a counterattack that Portimonense took the lead, in the 35th minute. Fidelis received it in midfield, passed to Ricardo Pessoa on the wing, who quickly placed it in the area, where Ewerton did not forgive and scored the 1-0.
Sporting tried to respond, but the home team showed up to defend and arrived for orders, taking an advantage to the dressing room.
In the second half, Sporting entered with the desire to change their luck, but the team from Portimão was very pressing and managed to break the lions game.
The first moments of real danger were caused by Portimonense players, but towards their own goal. On 53 minutes, the home fans shivered when the ball almost went into goal, in a very confused move, in what would have been Jadson's own goal.
A few minutes later, he was again a Portimonense defender having to avoid a bad relief from a teammate on the line.
Sporting galvanized themselves and created a great opportunity, at 58, with Aquillani hitting the crossbar. In Montero's reload, the ball still went in, but the goal was disallowed for offside by Aquillani, who still touched the ball.
At 62 minutes, Sporting was once again close to scoring. Bruno César fired a strong shot from outside the area, the ball hit a defender of Portimonense and began to skim the post.
After a few moments of suffocation, the home team managed to regain balance, which led Sporting Jorge Jesus coach to launch one of the usual starters, João Mário, to try to give another dynamic to the game.
Until the 78th minute, when the penalty was awarded to Sporting, there were opportunities for both sides, and a setback for Portimonense. In the 68th minute, Zambujo, who had started minutes earlier, had to be substituted after a nasty clash, head to head, with Zeegelar, who was also mistreated.
Returning to the penalty against Portimonense, he was marked to punish the alleged hand of Lumor, although the move seems casual. What seemed to be a bucket of cold water for the Algarve, turned out to be an opportunity for the home goalkeeper to shine, as Carlos Henrique was not fooled by William Carvalho, called to score, and saved the penalty and a recharge.
With everything going well, Portimonense did not relinquish the attack and managed to create several chances to score. Fabricio forced Boeck to make two saves, one of them tight. In added time, it was also Fabrício who isolated himself, entering the area, where he only stopped, knocked down by the leonine goalkeeper. The referee did not hesitate and called a penalty.
Called to convert, Ewerton did not imitate William and scored Portimonense's second, and also his second goal in the match, sealing the final result.
An important victory for Portimonense, who again beat Sporting, in their city, almost 27 years later.
Post-Game Statements:
José Augusto (Portimonense):
I always said that if we played the game as equals, we had a chance of winning, and that's what happened.
(Do you feel that Portimonense has scrolls to play among the greats?) What I think is that Portimonense, every game they play, plays to win. Regardless of the opponent, we try to do it, and this year it was the philosophy established not only by SAD, but also by me.
Sometimes it's not possible, because that's what football is all about, but what matters is that the players were brave and managed to get rid of their anxiety and we played this good game.
(Group Accounts) Now we're going to focus on Saturday's game, against Aves, for the II Liga. When the game arrives in Paços de Ferreira, we know that we have great chances, and at that time I will focus on that match, so that we can advance in the League Cup.
Jorge Jesus (Sporting Lisbon):
Portimonense, in the first half, in the only shot they made on goal, scored a goal. Sporting was also not a team with a lot of offensive dynamics. It was a game where balance was notorious.
Sporting, in the second half, was better, especially in the first 30, 35 minutes. We had opportunities to score, including a penalty. We can't make that difference and, when that happens against a team that is winning one to zero, we're ready to concede another goal. And that's exactly what happened. Congratulations to the Portimonense team.
(Group accounts) Today's result, given the first victory of Portimonense against Arouca (4-1), already had an advantage in the goal average, now still got more. I think we are in a difficult position to pass the group stage.
Click here to see the game's photo gallery.
Comments