Portimonense supplemented last week’s opening home win with a goalless mid-week draw on Madeira before seeing off Trofense back in the Algarve last Sunday evening.
The three results returned Lázaro Oliveira’s men the clear winners of Group A ahead of the second phase draw and should have provided the team with badly needed match practice going into this Saturday’s first second division fixture against local rivals Farense – kick off 8pm.
The newly-promoted team from the region’s capital also qualified for the second Cup round behind mini table toppers Santa Clara, despite a 1-0 home loss to Aves and a subsequent 2-2 draw with Tondela, thanks to their better goal scoring record. Skip Bandele
