LIGA NOS: PORTIMONENSE 0-1 CHAVES
A poor performance at the municipal stadium last Tuesday night saw a hitherto impressive home run come to an end as Portimonense succumbed to bottom-of-the-table Chaves.
The match, blighted by 10 yellow cards issued by overzealous referee André Narciso, provided little in the way of goalmouth action, and had the visitors dominating for long periods of play.
A 38th-minute Costinha shot from the edge of the area proved to be decisive, and although both keepers were kept busy during the second half, neither team was able to bring fresh ideas to the limited action on the pitch.
Manager António Folha’s side will have felt the loss of three of its key players keenly during this transfer window – Ewerton (Urawa Reds), Manafá (Porto) and now Shoya Nakajima, on his way to Qatar’s Al-Duhail despite earlier denials – and needs to improve significantly if any points are to be gained from Sunday’s visit to Santa Clara.
It remains to be seen if the addition of the usual ‘batch’ of reinforcements from the Brazilian lower tiers – Henrique, Thiago Andrade and Lyncoln – can in any way compensate for current departures.
By SKIP BANDELE
