The Algarve is a favourite location for English football clubs and a whole host of pre-season games should whet the appetite of fans caught up in the excitement of England’s progress in the World Cup. The Algarve Football Cup will be contested by Primeira Liga champions FC Porto, French Ligue 1 outfit Lille and Everton FC managed by Lisbon-born Marco Silva.
The triangular tournament takes place at the Algarve Stadium from July 20 to 22. Marco Silva became manager of Everton six weeks ago following spells at Hull and Watford.
Leyton Orient FC (East London) arrived on Monday for a week’s training camp in Albufeira culminating in playing Benfica ‘B’ at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium on Saturday, at 7.30pm. Manager and former Spurs player Justin Edinburgh said: “The trip to Portugal will bring everyone together as a unit because we will be living in each other’s pockets. We can do a lot of work, but it gives the players a chance to integrate and build on the foundation we had last season. We are really looking forward to it.”
FIXTURES (subject to change)
July 13 – Hull City v SC Braga – 7pm – Estádio da Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube, Albufeira
July 14 – FC Ferreiras v Ebbsfleet United – 11am – Estádio da Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube, Albufeira
July 14 – Benfica ‘B’ v Leyton Orient – 7.30pm – Albufeira Municipal Stadium
July 17 – Portimonense v FC Porto – 8.30pm – Portimão Municipal Stadium
July 18 – CS Marítimo v Peterborough – 7pm – Estádio da Belavista, Parchal
July 20 – Lille v FC Porto – 8pm – Algarve Stadium, Faro
July 21 – Peterborough v Louletano – 11am – Estádio da Nora, Ferreiras Futebol Clube, Albufeira
July 21 – Lille v Everton – 8pm – Algarve Stadium, Faro
July 22 – FC Porto v Everton – 8pm – Algarve Stadium, Faro
By CHRIS WRIGHT
