BY CHRIS WRIGHT [email protected]
Some 500 V.Setúbal fans joined Olhanense supporters for an impromptu BBQ by the Olhão seafront marina prior to the Premier Liga game between the two old adversaries.
None of those enjoying the convivial occasion could have imagined the drama that was to unfold later that evening under the floodlights of the José Arcanjo Stadium.
Olhanense attacked from the start and could have been two up in the first fifteen minutes with the lively Wilson Eduardo being the culprit.
Despite the home side’s dominance it was the visitors who took the lead on sixteen minutes. Ismaily was rightly judged to have pushed João Silva and Neca stepped up to send Fabiano Freitas the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Matters got decidedly worse ten minutes later when an innocuous cross from the left by Pitbull was turned home by João Silva. 2-0 and the army of Setúbal fans were ecstatic. Olhanense manager Daúto Faquirá wasted no time in replacing Nuno Piloto with the exciting 19 year-old Brazilian Salvador Agra. The whole complex of the game was to change just before half-time when José Pedro was shown a straight red card for an ‘over-the-top’ challenge on Dady.
Olhanense started the second period knowing that an early goal was vital and it duly came four minutes after the re-start when Wilson Eduardo’s cross was deftly flicked home by Dady to make it 2-1.
Game on! Minutes later and the home side were awarded a dubious penalty for a foul by Anderson do Ó on Salvador Agra. Dady saw his shot saved by Diego; the second consecutive game against V.Setúbal that Olhanense have missed a vital penalty.
On this occasion not too much damage was done as with the next attack Caué grabbed the equaliser. Wilson Eduardo delivered a perfect free-kick and Caué ghosted into the box to head home.
It was now one-way traffic as the home fans roared on their team. Ismaily hit the post, a minute later Wilson Eduardo hit the same post and then Salvador Agra saw his 30 metres volley whistle millimetres over the crossbar.
With fifteen minutes to go Djalmir and Figueroa replaced Wilson Eduardo and Maurício but the ten men hung-on to deny Olhanense victory.
On Sunday Olhanense travel to Vila do Conde (Porto Region) to play Rio Ave.
This is one of only two Premier Liga games not being shown live on TV.
