Farense: Winless streak continues
Farense’s winless streak increased to four matches last Sunday following a 2-0 defeat against Rio Ave in Vila do Conde.
Adversity hit before the match even started as manager Jorge Costa was deprived of his starting goalkeeper Rafael Defendi due to a season-ending injury. Ryan Gauld, the Scottish playmaker who has often been the driving force of Farense’s attack, was also unable to play due to a one-match suspension.
Stepping in for Defendi was Hugo Marques, who committed a penalty halfway through the first half, allowing Pelé to hammer home the opening goal from the penalty spot.
Farense had a lively reaction to the goal and could have scored from a corner kick before the half-time whistle, but the team’s second-half proved lacklustre.
Costa’s men were unable to create significant scoring chances and also failed to react when former Liverpool forward Rafael Camacho scored Rio Ave’s second goal at the 69th minute.
The home side controlled the affair until the final whistle, securing three important points to jump to ninth in the Liga NOS standings.
Farense are now 15th with 19 points, the same as Gil Vicente and FC Famalicão.
“It was a game with few scoring chances,” said Farense manager Jorge Costa after the match.
“We failed in areas we knew Rio Ave was strong. We conceded two goals following two quick counterattacks, and then we weren’t effective or concentrating when we should have been. We were punished with an excessive final score, although we cannot question Rio Ave’s victory,” Costa added.
Farense hope to bring their winless streak to an end on Saturday (3.30pm) when they will take on Belenenses SAD at Estádio de São Luís in Faro.
By MICHAEL BRUXO
