Portuguese FA Cup 3rd round:
Sporting Covilhã 1-4 Portimonense
Lank Vilaverdense 3-2 Farense
Liga Portugal Betclic:
Portimonense v Estoril (Saturday, 3.30pm)
Rio Ave v Farense (Sunday, 3.30pm)
Having made a habit of early exits from Cup competitions over the past few seasons, Portimonense fielded a full-strength 11 at third division leaders Covilhã, ironically featuring on-loan Portimão players Bruno Reis and Pedro Casagrande, for their Portuguese FA Cup third round tie last Saturday evening.
The visitors were already ahead through a sixth-minute Gonçalo Costa far post tap-in when Covilhã’s Mohammed Adams was shown a straight red card for a violent foul on Lucas Ventura just before the half-hour mark reducing the home side to 10 men.
The numerical advantage began to tell immediately following the half-time restart with Dener and Carlinhos finding the back of the net from distance in quick succession. Rildo then made it 4-0 before Diogo Ferreira grabbed a late consolation goal two minutes from the end.
In contrast, Farense rested several key players ahead of a tight schedule against second division bottom side Vilaverdense, a tactic successfully employed in the League Cup previously – but it did not pay off this time.
The supposed underdogs came alive after a goalless opening half and were three goals to the good by the time 90 minutes were up.
The Algarveans did manage to pull two back during time added on, but it was too little too late to prevent a Cup exit on this occasion. The fourth-round draw of the knock-out competition involving all 32 remaining clubs took place on Wednesday (after the Resident went to press).
Meanwhile, both Algarve clubs will return to league action this weekend with Portimonense welcoming bottom club Estoril Praia on Saturday afternoon while Farense travel to second-from-bottom Rio Ave on Sunday.
By SKIP BANDELE
