Portimonense drew with Belenenses (0-0), in a game counting for the 16th round of the I League, played this Thursday, January 4th. The Algarvians didn't get the victory, despite having dominated the second part of the match, and already have four consecutive games without winning in the top level of Portuguese football.
The first part was based on balance. Belenenses even started better, with more influence in the game, but Portimonense knew how to react and prevent the Belém team from dominating the match.
Still, neither team turned out to have great chances to score. Portimonense was more successful, it's true, but couldn't really bother goalkeeper Filipe Mendes. The greatest danger was made by Fabrício, at 37 minutes.
Nakajima crossed and the Brazilian forward headed inside the area, but to the figure of Belenenses' keeper. In the other goal, Ricardo Ferreira accumulated a handful of saves, but all easy.
André Sousa, already in the first-half added time, took a free-kick well that forced the Portimonense goalkeeper to defend away, in a move with the highest record.
For the second half, Vítor Oliveira launched Paulinho, taking out Dener, and the influence of the Brazilian midfielder was soon noticed, with Portimonense having more offensive dynamics.
In the 59th minute, in a quick counterattack, Nakajima was very close to the goal.
The Japanese took the ball to the edge of the area, where he shot just past the goal post of Belenenses.
Portimonense continued to bet on victory (Pires' entry is an example of this). Belenenses were already exploring the counterattack. On 69 minutes, the Portuguese striker, who had entered the game minutes ago, shot over Filipe Mendes' goal.
At 78, a penalty was requested, in a ball dispute between Filipe Mendes and Fabrício, but Artur Soares Dias said nothing.
Near the end of the game, Belenenses had a good opportunity to score, the result of a shot by André Geraldes, inside the area, but Portimonense's defense managed to cut the ball, keeping the null that would end the match.
With this result, Portimonense has 17 points and occupies the 12th position in the table. The Algarve team's last victory was against Tondela, on 25 November. Since then, Portimonense has two draws and two defeats in the League.
Photos: Nelson Ignatius | Sul Informação
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