Following a 1-0 midweek defeat at Varzim, to make it seven defeats in eight league games, it came as somewhat of a relief for Olhanense as they scraped a single goal away win in the Portugal Cup second round. A potential banana skin was avoided as the Olhão team made it into the last 64 thanks to a second-half penalty against non-league Sacavenense (Lisbon).
The home side had to make a substitution after just eight minutes when Diogo Oliveira picked up an injury. Olhanense keeper Evtimov, on loan from Nottingham Forest, was kept busy and Sacavenense were unlucky not to take the lead when Arcanjo’s shot cannoned off the post and away to safety.
The second-half again saw the home side press Olhanense but the Segunda Liga bottom side stood firm. On 72 minutes, Gonzalez was fouled in the box and former Sporting Lisbon striker Cissé calmly placed the resulting spot-kick past keeper Hugo Cardoso.
The final 10 minutes was a hectic affair as Sacavenense endeavoured to fashion an equaliser that would have taken the game into extra-time.
Following Olhanense’s home game against Benfica ‘B’ on Wednesday, the team makes the short trip to play newly-promoted Cova da Piedade in Lisbon on Sunday.
Points are vital if the team is to claw its way up the league from their basement position.
CHRIS WRIGHT
