The July 19 friendly against Carlos Carvalhal-managed Sheffield Wednesday, currently scheduled to kick off at 7pm, will not only mark the inauguration of Portimonense’s newly laid pitch, but will also be one of the first matches selected by the Portuguese FA to trial the soon-to-be-introduced video replay refereeing technology.
The installation of several cameras as well as a small pitch-side viewing station are to be in situ by the above date and will be present in all top division grounds by the start of the new season, hopefully eliminating much of the human error witnessed in the past.
A further two pre-season games against opposition yet to be named will be played in Portimão on July 22 and 26 and a week-long stay in England, featuring one match against a local team, could be on the cards.
In other news, top Portimonense executives Rodiney Sampaio and Robson Ponte travelled to Germany last week to attend Wolfsburg’s celebrations marking 20 years in the Bundesliga while monitoring former player Amilton’s situation at demoted 1860 Munich with a view of a possible return to the Algarve.
Meanwhile, the prospects of stand-out performers Paulinho and Jadson remaining with Portimonense are improving as suitors in Portugal are not willing to meet the Algarveans’ asking price. Latest news concerning potential arrivals include a Brazilian forward and Arouca’s out of contract Nuno Coelho, who represented Portimonense between 2007 and 2009, while Stanley is to be given another chance following a season marred by injury.
By SKIP BANDELE
