League leaders Louletano and Olhanense went head-to-head at the Algarve Stadium last Saturday and it was the hosts who edged home thanks to an early goal.
Louletano made six changes from the team that won their Portugal Cup game the previous week whilst Olhanense gave a first start of the season to Muscat who had been on international duty with Malta.
The home side took advantage of indecision in the visitor’s defence to take the lead through Leandro Ary after just eight minutes and from then on Olhanense were chasing the game. Abou Touré replaced the injured Érico Castro at the heart of the Louletano midfield after a quarter-of-an-hour as Olhanense continued to press for the equaliser.
Hassan missed good opportunities either side of the interval as the visitors failed to take advantage of their dominance. Louletano maintained their single goal lead thanks to a sterling display by keeper Lucas Paes who made two stunning saves in the final ten minutes.
Six minutes of stoppage time were safely negotiated as the Louletano defence kept a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive game.
Olhanense dropped their first points since April and will be hoping to return to winning ways when they entertain Esperança de Lagos at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão (behind McDonalds on the EN125) on Sunday at 3pm.
Cup draw
The draw for the second round of the Portugal Cup to be played on the weekend of September 28/29 includes: Louletano – GC Figueirense; Esperança de Lagos – Pevidém SC (Braga); Moncarapachense- Sertanense; UD Santarém – SC Farense; Benfica Castelo Branco – SC Olhanense. The winners from round two will go into the hat with the Primeira Liga teams including Benfica, FC Porto, Sporting and SC Braga.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
Photo by: LARRY BAWDEN
