Two new managers, Manuel Cajuda (Olhanense) and Jesualdo Ferreira (Sporting), went head-to-head at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão, last Sunday.
Olhanense had only 13 senior players available due to the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries. In addition Sporting loanee, the influential centre-back Nuno Reis, was absent owing to a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between the two clubs. Veteran striker Djalmir, who came out of retirement, and four youth team players made up the bench.
Sporting, without an away-win for eight months, started with new signing Miguel Lopes (ex-Porto) controlling the defence. It was the visitors who took the lead after just two minutes when Labyad received a pass from Capel, shook off his marker and fired in from the edge of the box past the diving Bracali.
Olhanense should have had a penalty 10 minutes later when Abdi wriggled past two defenders, only for Miguel Lopes to divert the ball away from goal with his arm. To add to their woes, Fernando Alexandre limped off after half-hour and the home side were clearly in despondent mood.
Sporting continued to control the game, although Olhanense made an occasional foray into the opponents’ half with Jander and Targino both going close.
Ten minutes after the break, Sporting made it 2-0. Capel, the former PSV Eindhoven player, was the architect when he played in Adrien, who finished well with a powerful shot into the top corner from 15 metres.
Cajuda threw on 36-year-old Djalmir and 18-year-old Pedro Paz, but, apart from a half chance that fell to Djalmir, the home side never really threatened the Sporting goal.
A disappointing performance from the home side, who will be hoping for better when they travel to Madeira on Sunday to take on Marítimo. The win made it two victories on the bounce for Sporting for the first time this season.
