LIGA NOS: GUIMARÃES 2-0 PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense suffered a fourth defeat in as many games when going down without much of a fight in Guimarães last weekend.
Manager António Folha’s make-shift starting 11 once again found it difficult to compensate not only for the January transfer window departures but also the injury and yellow card-related absences of Marcel, Dener, Paulinho and Pedro Sá as an uneventful 90 minutes of football unfolded.
The hosts, short of confidence themselves following a series of lack-lustre performances, took some time to find their rhythm, but Mattheus Oliveira made no mistake from close range when picked out by a perfect 40th-minute Rafa Soares cross. Portimonense could have been level before the interval, but Wellington blasted wide with only Douglas to beat in the Guimarães goal.
The Algarveans were fortunate to survive a goal mouth melee featuring no less than four blocked shots a quarter-of-an-hour into the second half, but there was little keeper Ricardo Ferreira could do to prevent Alexandre Guedes heading home another Soares cross at the far post not long after. Ricardo did manage to prevent a third of the evening by doing exceptionally well in keeping Davidson out, but Portimonense appeared to accept their fate as full time approached.
Folha will be able to revert to his more accustomed formation come Saturday with the return of several regular starters, and the visit from third-from-bottom Aves should provide the perfect opportunity to end the present negative cycle.
By SKIP BANDELE
Caption: Portimonense manager António Folha
