The rain was lashing down on Sunday as Olhanense fans made an early start for the journey to Setúbal and a 4th round Portugal (FA) Cup game against Alcochetense, the lowest ranked team who play three divisions below their Premier League rivals.
Alcochete nestles on the southern banks of the Tejo and as the distant panoramic views of Lisbon came into sight, the clouds disappeared and the sun put in an appearance to welcome the Algarvean visitors.
But the warm welcome soon turned to a chilly reception as the visiting fans discovered they would have to pay €22, as against the home fans €8, to see their team play.
Generally visiting fans are treated well and even Benfica and Porto only charge away fans €10.
The Olhanense fans decided not to pay and agreed to boycott the game. Olhanense President Isidoro Sousa stepped in to diffuse the unrest, and after a conversation with his opposite number, a hundred tickets were made available to away supporters at the lower price.
Common sense prevailed but this was no consolation to those fans who had arrived early and paid the full amount, even for children!
OLHANENSE SCRAPE THROUGH
The game itself was very much an anti-climax as a number of goal scoring opportunities went begging.
Both keepers were in scintillating form and Fabiano Freitas twice foiled Alcochetense’s Djão when in one-on-one situations.
Olhanense had Dady sent-off, for a second yellow card, with twenty minutes of normal time remaining. The non-league side had the better of the chances but it was no surprise when the game went to extra-time.
Both teams were suffering from the heavy pitch but Mexer should have settled the tie. His free header from a Wilson Eduardo cross went wide when it would have been easier to score.
In the penalty shoot-out the home side twice hit the woodwork before captain Rui Duarte stepped up to give Olhanense a 4-2 advantage.
On Sunday Olhanense are away to P.Ferreira. Kick-off 8.15pm and the game is being shown live on Sport TV.
CUP DRAW
Olhanense were last out of the hat on Tuesday and face a difficult trip to Second Division Estoril in the 5th round of the Portugal (FA Cup) on the weekend of December 3 and 4.
Estoril recently eliminated Olhanense in the BWIN League Cup. Académica, who had a shock 3-0 win over cup holders Porto, travel to Leixões while Benfica won’t relish the trip to Marítimo (Madeira).
Looking up
Following an extended international and Cup weekend break, Portimonense will return to serious action away at high-flying Penafiel on Sunday.
New manager Carlos Mozer should have had plenty of time to fine tune his team although Saturday’s practice match against Louletano at the Stadium of the Algarve saw Felipe Miranda’s brace bettered by the lower division side’s three strikes.
SUPER
Last season’s AF Algarve first division champions Quarteira beat regional Cup holders Silves 2-0 in the inaugural edition of the Algarve Supercup.
The match which saw Juliano and Rodrigo Angelo score the decisive goals was played at Parchal’s modern Belavista stadium in Lagoa.
