Allianz League Cup: Portimonense 2-1 Académica
Portimonense took to the pitch last Friday evening for their first official match of the new season and recorded a comfortable League Cup first round victory over second division Académica.
Manager Paulo Sérgio’s eleven, not featuring any recent signings, went close early on with Beto just shooting wide before Willyan headed home a Luquinha corner in the 19th minute. The visitors briefly drew level through a Traquina individual effort, but Aylton Boa Morte was at hand shortly afterwards to guide a Moufi cross from the by-line past the helpless Mika.
Following the interval Beto could have opened his account on a further two occasions as Fabrício was denied by the crossbar before the game disintegrated amongst a host of substitutions on both sides. The second round of the competition will take place at follow top division club Boavista this Sunday evening.
On the transfer front the almost completed acquisition of Bruno Paz fell through at the last minute as Sporting Lisbon insisted on a lowly €3 million buy-back clause, a future valuation unacceptable to the Algarveans. Instead, attention has now turned to Porto’s surplus-to-requirements João Pedro, also a right back, as well as to the extension of midfielder Ewerton’s loan agreement.
Elsewhere, any hope of landing Farense playmaker Ryan Gauld were dashed with the Scottish ‘mini-Messi’ accepting an out-of-reach €200,000-a-month offer from MLS franchise Vancouver Whitecaps.
Meanwhile, now third division Olhanense have parted company with coach Edgar Davids, the former Dutch on-field superstar being replaced by 61-year-old Italian veteran Carlo Perrone (ex-Giorgione, Italian 4th division).
By SKIP BANDELE
