LIGA NOS: PORTIMONENSE 0-0 BELENENSES
During an opening 2019/20 league season weekend which saw Porto surprisingly beaten by Vítor Oliveira-managed Gil Vicente while Sporting Lisbon could only draw with Marítimo in Madeira, Portimonense produced a good home performance against Belenenses deserving of more than a share of the points.
Man-of-the-match opposition keeper Koffi was called upon as early as the fourth minute when keeping out a powerfully struck Paulinho shot. The Brazilian midfielder again went close a quarter-of-an-hour later, but this time his speculative cross only shaved the outside of the post.
Shortly afterwards, Portimonense players were literally queuing up to take pot shots at goal, a series of defensive blocks resulting in referee Manuel Mota consulting the VAR video replay in response to penalty appeals, only for play to be waved on.
Kikas produced the visitors’ only goal-bound effort in the 38th minute before Anzai marked the end of the first half with a swerving shot which Koffi did well to hold.
Belenenses finally showed some signs of life after the restart, Portimonense keeper Ricardo Ferreira proving alert when racing off his line to clear from the advancing Lica. But the action soon returned to the other end of the pitch, Koffi once again proving a match for Paulinho before rescuing his team with a great save from an Iury Castillo header after some good interplay between Tabata and Anzai.
Pedro Sá and Tabata in quick succession again tested the overworked Belenenses keeper before Castillo pulled his finish wide from another pinpoint Anzai cross leaving the encounter goalless at full time.
Whereas manager António Folha declared himself happy with his side’s overall performance and the defensive unit in particular – no goals conceded in the first two official matches of the season – he did express regret at the lack of fire power up front.
That shortcoming could be remedied as soon as next Monday’s visit to Tondela when the to-date somewhat inept Castillo may well have to give way to new loan signing José Gomes. The 20-year-old forward broke into Benfica’s senior eleven during the 2016/17 season but has only been used in the champion’s U-23 and ‘B’ teams since. His arrival, Jackson Martinez’s imminent return, and the addition of attacking midfielder Cevallos, another recent loan arrival from Lokeren in Belgium and an Ecuadorian international, should produce the goals lacking so far.
By SKIP BANDELE
Photo: New loan signing José Gomes
