By CHRIS WRIGHT
After another great fight back, Olhanense will be full of confidence for the visit of The Eagles tonight (Friday).
The trip to the beautiful town of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal and European City of Culture 2012, on Sunday was never going to be easy and matters got worse after just six minutes.
The normally reliable Fabiano Freitas failed to hold a weak shot from Nuno Assis and Urreta was on hand to tap the ball home. The home side, one of only two teams to beat Benfica in the league this season, could have extended their lead but wasted several opportunities.
But just before the break Vitoria de Guimaraes added a second when Defendi headed home from a João Alves corner.
At the start of the second-half Assistant coach Jorge Rosario, standing in for Sérgio Conceição who was serving the second of a three match ban, replace the effectual Vitor Vinha with veteran Rui Duarte.
The passionate Duarte fired his colleagues into action and within ten minutes Olhanense had drawn level. The hard working Wilson Eduardo beat Defendi in the air and Dady was on hand to slip past N’Diaye and hammer the ball past Nilson.
Sixty seconds later and Salvador Agra rounded Alex out on the right and whipped in a teasing cross. Wilson Eduardo’s low volley gave Nilson no chance to make the score 2-2.
The ‘Dynamic Duo’ of Dady and Wilson Eduardo, they have scored seven of Olhanense’s nine goals in the last three games, were firing on all cylinders!
It looked as if the visitors might snatch all three points but with fifteen minutes to go Caue received a second yellow card for an innocuous tackle.
The ten men defended in numbers and might even have snatched victory in the final minute when Vasco Fernandes’ strong shot was well held by Nilson. Olhanense remain in 7th place on 28 points.
THREE MISSING
Olhanense will be without three of their more influential players for the visit of Benfica tonight (kick-off 8.45pm).
Midfielder Caue (sent-off against V.Guimaraes), centre-back Andre Pinto and forward Wilson Eduardo, both of whom have amassed five yellow cards, will be absent.
Olhanense will have to be at the top of their game if they hope to hold a Benfica team that has reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and meet Chelsea next Tuesday at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.
Tickets for tonight’s game are still available but fans are urged to arrive early as a large crowd is expected.
