Close to 500 Portimonense fans including a 20-strong expat contingent from the Alvor Dog House pub made the trip to Faro to help swell a season-record 3,000 crowd attending the Algarve’s only second division derby.
There was little Christmas spirit in evidence however as arriving coaches were greeted with stone and bottle projectiles. Once in the ground, the brilliant sunshine did little to warm visiting fans to referee Carlos Xistra’s first half performance, the official seeking refuge in the tunnel under police protection.
Portimonense were still struggling to find their rhythm when hesitation from normally reliable keeper Márcio Ramos led to Farense taking the lead through Matias in the 10th minute. When the league leaders did finally gain the upper hand shortly before the interval, the referee appeared to award a Portimonense free kick just outside the Farense area, only to change his mind and point in the opposite direction – a long punt from keeper Ivo found Ibukun who had little trouble netting alone in front of goal.
Incensed Portimonense manager Lázaro Oliveira was shown a red card and despite a better performance during the second 45 minutes his charges proved unable to make good the 2-0 deficit.
Last Sunday’s subsequent home match against Feirense again demonstrated Portimonense’s lack of firepower as Luis Pedro’s solitary strike was cancelled out by Tiago Jogo. The 1-1 draw still sees Portimonense heading the table by one point from Moreirense going into next Sunday’s away clash with third-placed Porto B.
Skip Bandele
