by CHRIS WRIGHT
Salvador Agra, fresh from scoring for Portugal Under 21s in their 2-0 victory over the Ukraine last week, was in unstoppable form as Olhanense took all three points from the away trip to U.Leiria on Monday night.
Sérgio Conceição’s plans were thrown into disarray when central defender André Micael was injured in the pre-match warm-up. With Jander and skipper Rui Duarte also sidelined through injury and André Pinto suspended, having been sent-off the previous week, the Olhanense defence took on a very unfamiliar look.
Even so, the visitors dominated the first 45 minutes and should have been a goal to the good within minutes of the start, but Oblak blocked Dady’s shot after good work by Agra.
With half-an-hour gone, Olhanense took a deserved lead. Salvador Agra whipped in a superb right-wing cross and Dady sent his bullet header flying past Oblak.
It was a different story at the start of the second-half. U.Leiria levelled the score with their first meaningful attack of the game. A long ball down field was nodded on by Bruno Moraes and substitute Djaniny outpaced Mauricio to slide the ball under the advancing keeper Fabiano Freitas.
At this stage, the home side looked the more likely to win but gradually Olhanense clawed their way back into the game. Toy replaced Wilson Eduardo and Meza came on for Dady.
With eight minutes remaining, Salvador Agra weaved his magic once again and slipped the ball through to Toy who finished with aplomb.
As the players celebrated, manager Sérgio Conceição was sent to the stand by referee Bruno Paixão; a decision that mystified everyone! Minutes later and the home side had Djaniny dismissed for a foul on Agra.
Deep into stoppage time and the diminutive winger capped a fine display when he wrapped up the points with a fine goal. A defence splitting pass from Fernando Alexandre found Agra through on goal where he calmly rounded the advancing Oblak and ran the ball into the net.
A meagre crowd of just 676 highlighted the demise of U.Leiria who languish at the foot of the table whilst this 3-1 victory lifted Olhanense above Nacional into seventh place.
OLHANENSE YOUNG STARS SHINE
Wilson Eduardo and Salvador Agra starred for Portuguese Under-21s in the 2-0 victory over Ukraine. Agra scored the opening goal in the 45th minute. Dady scored the first goal in Cape Verde’s 4-0 win over Madagascar in the qualifying stage of the African Cup of Nations 2013. In other Africa Cup action, Ivanildo turned out for Guinea-Bissau in their 1-0 home defeat by Cameroon whilst Mexer helped Mozambique draw 1-1 in Tanzania.
NACIONAL NEXT IN LINE
On Sunday, Nacional (Madeira) are Olhanense’s next opponents at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão (behind McDonald’s on the EN125). Kick-off 4pm. Tickets €12.50 to €25 are available on the day. The Expat Supporters Group meet in Café Pastelaria Reis – opposite the entrance to the ground – and all visitors are made very welcome. Email [email protected] or visit www.jiilingo.com
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