PORTUGUESE FA CUP 3RD ROUND
After 120 goalless minutes of open play followed by no less than 18 spot kicks, Portimonense finally overcame third division opponents Moura to take their place in the fourth round of the Portuguese FA Cup last Sunday.
A hot afternoon in the lower Alentejo saw veteran ex-Algarve United, Quarteirense and Lagoa keeper Igor Landim excel between the sticks before experiencing heartache at the death.
The 33-year-old made important saves from Pires and Nakajima during the opening 45 minutes before again coming to the rescue of the club he has represented for the past four seasons when keeping out Fabrício on several occasions after the interval.
In between, Portimonense enjoyed most of the possession but proved criminally wasteful in front of goal with Wellington in particular, Pires, Ruben, Hackman, Lucas and Paulinho all guilty of failing to hit the target on numerous occasions.
At the other end, Moura’s best chance fell to Walid whose 57th-minute effort was well blocked by reserve keeper Leo.
The tie finally reached its dramatic climax at the end of extra time when both sides lined up for the penalty shoot-out in order to decide the issue.
The first act had Fabrício and Pires find the back of the net with Moura’s Balde and Lucas Santos proving equally successful.
Landim then kept out Paulinho, and Bruno Jesus put the hosts up 3-2. Lucas pulled the Algarveans level and then it was Leo’s turn to shine by denying Walter. All square, Dener made it 4-3, Pedro Almeida equalised once more followed by a Ruben miss handing the initiative to Moura for the second time.
The pendulum swung back Portimonense’s way as Rafa Santos subsequently blasted over, Pedro Sá scored to make it 5-4, João Pinto levelled again and both Hackman and Bruno Gomes sunk their respective efforts to leave the score at 6-6.
Rosell then stepped up to convert what turned out to be the winner for manager Vítor Oliveira’s men as Igor Landim’s follow-up agonizingly rebounded off the post – 7-6, and game over.
“We were the deserved winners without playing particularly well,” Oliveira commented afterwards. “Portimonense can do better and more; there is food for thought.”
Portimonense return to league action with a visit to Guimarães on Monday evening for a televised 9pm kick-off.
By SKIP BANDELE
Caption: On-loan Spanish player Oriol Rosell
