Casa Pia assumed almost complete control of the match
LIGA BWIN: PORTIMONENSE 1–2 CASA PIA
Portimonense returned to league action following the six-week World Cup break on Wednesday night against this season’s surprise team Casa Pia but failed to make their home advantage count.
A well-contested opening 45 minutes saw keeper Nakamura make important saves from Lucas Soares before being left helpless to keep out a 31st-minute Angelo Neto free kick which took a heavy deflection on its way into the back of the net.
Almost by return, Yago Cariello was tripped in the area and Luquinha confidently converted the resulting penalty to level the scores.
Moufi and Yago still went close to taking the lead before the interval, however, manager Paulo Sérgio’s men did not find a way back into the match after the restart, Casa Pia assuming almost complete control of the match.
Nakamura did his best in denying clear opportunities from the likes of Kuni and Derick Poloni, but inevitably, as four minutes of injury time counted down, substitute Antoine connected with a Lucas cross for the winner.
Portimonense face Benfica next week
Life will not get any easier for the Algarveans next week as they will face runaway league leaders Benfica in Lisbon on Friday evening.
Off the pitch 23-year-old Brazilian central defender Wagner Leonardo is on his way to Portimão from Santos whilst ex-player Ivan Ângulo could return from his spell on loan at MLS side Orlando City after failing to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Portimonense have turned down offers in the region of €10 million for Filipe Relvas from both Wolfsburg (Germany) and Besiktas (Turkey).
By Skip Bandele
