Following the latest two-week World Cup qualifying international break, Portimonense will resume their Ledman LigaPRO promotion campaign at lowly Vizela this Sunday afternoon.
Manager Vítor Oliveira should see his squad return to almost full strength as several key players, who enjoyed a run-out during a training match with Louletano last week, have recovered from injury during the lay-off although Jadson, Marcel, Buba and Stanley are continuing to receive treatment. Meanwhile, left-winger Luís Mata saw some serious action as he came off the bench during last weekend’s Portugal U-21 international in Lisbon.
Off the pitch, well-known 35-time Brazilian international Lucas Moura, who has spent the last five seasons with Paris Saint-Germaine, has been a visitor in Portimão for the occasion of fellow Brazilian Dener’s wedding while catching up with former São Paulo team-mates Lucas, Ewerton, Leo and Marcel, all of whom play for the Algarveans.
Also during the break, two of the clubs in the chasing pack towards the top of the second division table caught up with games in arrears, albeit without making up any ground.
Third-placed Varzim, most recently responsible for ending Portimonense’s unbeaten home record, lost 2-0 to visiting Académica, now up into fourth, while Santa Clara remained in fifth after going down 2-1 in Viseu.
Those results confirm Aves, nine points behind Portimonense and taking on Santa Clara this Saturday, as the only realistic title challengers.
By SKIP BANDELE
Photo: Portimonense left-winger Luís Mata, on-loan from FC Porto
