The 2011/12 season officially began on Sunday evening for Portimonense with the first League Cup group phase match against Moreirense.
Considering the hosts had only begun training two weeks ago and four of the seven new signings were ineligible to play, the Algarveans did well to be only narrowly beaten 3-2.
With Atletico and Freamunde providing the remainder of the opposition, Portimão will still have every opportunity to reach the next stage of the competition.
Good news for the club had preceded the encounter in so far as both captain Ricardo Pessoa and central defender Ruben announced that they would be staying after all. The duo have been joined by latest arrivals Sergio Organista, Eliezio, Goda, Felipe Miranda, Jonas, Papa Mor and Tristan Plummer.
The last mentioned 21-year-old English winger is an interesting addition to the squad having been capped at schoolboy international level before gaining considerable professional experience with Bristol City, Torquay, Luton, Hereford and Gillingham.
On the down side Portimão have lost promising 19-year-old Fabio Nunes to Italian club Parma while last season’s on-loan stars Ventura and Andre Pinto have opted to stay in the top division with Olhanense.
