Portimonense took on a Sporting B eleven featuring a host of talented potential first-team players in Lisbon last Saturday afternoon.
However, despite the presence of the likes of Scotland and France U-21 internationals Ryan Gould and Sacko, it is indicative of Portimonense’s progress under manager Vitor Maças that Sporting keeper Luis Ribeiro emerged as ‘man of the match’.
The visitors from the Algarve controlled the game for most of the 90 minutes on the back of an assured-looking defensive unit comprising Ricardo Pessoa, Mamadu, Ivo Nicolau, Mauricio and keeper Ricardo Ferreira who was called upon to make an important save from Sacko.
At the other end of the pitch both attacking midfielders Kanazaki and Ewerton came agonisingly close to scoring, all the more so following the 68th-minute dismissal of Sporting centre back Fokobo. On each occasion, Ribeiro proved equal to the challenge and when finally beaten by Fidelis, the bar came to his rescue.
As a result, the encounter remained goalless but the signs are that Portimonense are capable of improving on their current 10th place in the table over the coming months.
With the scheduled mid-week home match against Santa Clara postponed until October 12, the next big game for Maçãs’ men will be the first Algarve derby of the season in the region’s capital with Farense this Sunday at 4pm.
By Skip Bandele
