42 year-old Djalmir acknowledges the fans
Sacavenense keeper Cardoso foils an Olhanense attack
(From left) Djalmir and Olhanense manager Ivo Soares
(From left) Sacavenense captain Diogo Duque (red/black) & Olhanense skipper Tiago Barros (grey/white) with match officials at the toss
The main talking point among fans prior to the game against Sacavenense was the inclusion in the match day squad of 42-year-old Olhanense legend Djalmir.
The Brazilian striker netted 20 goals in 27 appearances when the Olhão-based club gained promotion to the Primeira Liga under Jorge Costa in 2009. The following season in the top flight, he added 12 goals in 17 outings and on May 1, 2011 he cemented his cult status among the Olhanense faithful when he scored in the 93rd minute to secure a 1-1 draw with Benfica which saved the club from relegation.
Djalmir started on the bench for the Campeonato de Portugal fixture against high-flying Sacavenense. Stevy Okitokandjo led the attack with Hassan, who gave up his number 11 shirt for Djalmir, causing concern for the visitors as he jinxed his way down the wings.
After a tentative first-half, not helped by the poor playing surface, Olhanense came out for the second period in a more positive mood and, on 70 minutes, they finally made the breakthrough. The big bustling Stevy Okitokandjo found space on the right and floated a pass to the far post where Hassan was in position to hammer the ball into the roof of the net.
Olhanense had several other opportunities to increase their lead before Stevy Okitokandjo received the ball just inside the Sacavenense half and made a beeline for goal. Just when it looked as if he had overrun the ball, the 24-year-old Dutchman slipped his shot past Cardoso to give the home side a two-goal cushion. It was Stevy’s third goal in four games.
With two minutes remaining on the clock, Xavier Fernandes gave the visitors hope when his long range shot caught João Azul off his line and sailed into the top left-hand corner of the net.
In the first minute of stoppage time, present day hero Stevy was replaced by 42-year-old former hero Djalmir. There was still time for the iconic Brazilian to show a deft touch or two as he harried the visitors’ defence and held the ball up as his team saw out the game. Olhanense move up to eighth place with three victories and two draws in their last five games.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
