By CHRIS WRIGHT [email protected]
Olhanense travelled to Estoril with only 16 players, which included two youth team members. Out injured were Nuno Piloto, Liban Abdi, Ivanildo, Yontcha and Fernando Alexandre whilst Babanco, David Silva and Djaniny were in South Africa helping Cape Verde reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
New signing Tiago Terroso from PSFC Chernomorets Burgas (Bulgaria) made his debut whilst Luis Felipe and Mauricio returned after lengthy lay-offs for injury, despite not being fully fit.
It was therefore not surprising when the visitors went 1-0 down after only eight minutes. Jander made a rash challenge on Carlitos a metre inside the box and former Olhanense player Steven Vitória converted the resulting penalty.
Ten minutes later and Olhanense were level when Targino’s angled drive beat Vagner at the far post. Both teams had chances to take the lead before Olhanense’s Luis Filipe was judged to have impeded Luís Leal and Estoril had their second spot-kick which Steven Vitória duly despatched past the despairing dive of Bracali.
The second-half was only a minute old when a mix-up between Nuno Reis and Maurício gave Evandro the opportunity to make it 3-1.
Olhanense looked to be heading for a third straight league defeat but all that was to change. With an hour on the clock, Jander swung over a free-kick that Maurício headed home through the keeper’s legs.
Veteran striker Djalmir then replaced Nuno Reis as the visitors strived to snatch an equaliser. It was referee Jorge Tavares who rescued Olhanense when he decided that Anderson Luís had handled Targino’s goal-bound shot and the distraught defender received his marching orders.
TV replays clearly showed that the ball had hit the defender on the chest. Skipper Rui Duarte slotted home the penalty.
Olhanense pressed for the winner against the ten men but in the end were happy to settle for a point.
