With TV cameras and the associated razzmatazz, including fire ‘breathing’ cones and support – with free admission for the ladies as it was International Women’s Day – there was much expectation on Olhanense to put on a show when they entertained Olímpico do Montijo in their Campeonato de Portugal Division D game at the Estádio José Arcanjo last Sunday.
And the team did not disappoint running in five goals, without reply, to take them back to the top of the league as new boss Felipe Moreira celebrated his home debut in fine style.
With only six minutes on the clock, Hassan got to the byline and pulled the ball back for João Vasco to slot home. Twenty minutes later, Sapara curled a delightful shot inside the top right-hand corner of the goal and, 10 minutes after the restart, he repeated the feat at the other end.
João Vasco got his second goal, and Olhanense’s fourth, a quarter-of-an-hour from time.
In the final minute of normal time, substitute Júlio Alves was clear through on goal but Olímpico keeper Nélson Pinhão made a fine save only for the ball to fall at the feet of Sapara who completed a well-earned hat-trick.
Sapara (15), Hassan (13) and João Vasco (12) occupy three of the top four positions in the division’s goal-scoring chart.
On Sunday, Olhanense travel to Setúbal to play Fabril do Barreiro currently third from bottom with the worst defensive record in the league.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
