Portimonense enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over AC Viseu on Sunday morning despite conditions more suitable to aquaplaning than a game of football.
Any lingering self-doubts remaining after the previous weekend’s first defeat of the season were soon settled when Jadson headed home emphatically from a Pedro Sá corner in the 10th minute to put the hosts ahead. The lead could easily have been doubled before the interval but for a superb double save by Viseu keeper Rodolfo just after the half-hour mark.
Manager Vítor Oliveira’s men showed that they had plenty left in the tank after the break when Tabata clipped the bar before Manafa forced another good save from Rodolfo. But the keeper was then left helpless when Pires (pictured) unleashed a pile-driver from just outside the area for his 13th strike of the season and Portimonense’s second of the morning.
Not to be outdone, late substitute Ewerton put the result to bed with full time looming when burying an equally ferocious shot from fully eleven yards out.
With applause ringing around the municipal ground, there was still time for Captain Ricardo Pessoa to mark his record 400th appearance for Portimonense with a trademark free kick which smacked against Rodolfo’s crossbar to bring proceedings to a close.
The Algarveans, now six points clear after nearest challengers Aves only managed a goalless draw at Famalicão, next travel to second-from-bottom Leixões for another televised 11.15am Sunday kick-off while their rivals will have welcomed resurgent União da Madeira the previous afternoon.
Further afield, two on-loan Portimonense players have made headlines in Japan by helping Kashima Antlers overturn a 1-0 home first leg championship play-off deficit to claim the J-League title. Mu Kanazaki – voted the season’s MVP – scored both goals in the decisive 2-1 second leg success over Urawa Reds and goes on to represent the host nation alongside fellow ‘Algarvean’ Fabricio – there are reports of his possible return in January – at this week’s World Club Championships.
By SKIP BANDELE
