LIGA BWIN: FAMALICÃO 1-0 PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense were once more punished for their failure to sign an experienced centre forward as a handful of scoring chances went begging during last Friday night’s somewhat unlucky loss at Famalicão.
End-to-end football during the opening 45 minutes saw Pedrão and Relvas have good efforts blocked shortly after kick-off before Nakamura pulled off a great save from Alex Dobre.
Then it was Portimonense’s turn again, Moufi going close ahead of Pedrão hitting the post just after the half-hour mark.
The fast and furious action continued, Nakamura holding on to a Penetra header, his opposite number Luiz Júnior keeping out Rui Gomes, Pedrão again shooting straight at the keeper and finally a weak Lucas Alves header failing to take full advantage of confusion in the Famalicão area already in time added on.
Following the interval, Bryan Rochez and Park Ji-soo could easily put the Algarveans ahead but for wayward finishing and were duly punished in the 85th minute when a fortuitous Leandro Sanca punt came off Diaby’s shoulder before rolling between Pedro Sá’s legs and into the net for the only goal of the match.
There was still time for Yony to shoot woefully wide and referee Fábio Veríssimo to deny justified penalty appeals from the visitors at the death despite being alerted to a Famalicão infringement by the VAR system.
The defeat leaves Portimonense level with Vizela, Chaves and last weekend’s Porto conquerors Gil Vicente on 26 points, still 10-plus clear of the three relegation places, but things will not get any easier in the immediate future as Sporting Lisbon are the visitors to the Municipal Stadium this Saturday evening for a 6pm kick-off.
By SKIP BANDELE
