Portimonense earned another important point on the road with a 2-2 draw at Tondela last Saturday afternoon.
Both teams came out looking for a win, but it was the Algarveans who created the better chances during the opening exchanges despite missing their two most creative players in Shoya Nakajima, who took a knock during mid-week training, and the not completely match-fit Fabrício.
It came as no surprise then when Galeno set up Ewerton who stroked the ball home in the 20th minute. However, the lead did not last long as Bruno Monteiro met a Miguel Cardoso corner kick almost by return to head in the equalizer.
Portimonense almost regained the advantage shortly before the half-hour mark, but Rafa Soares’ well-taken free kick only hit the post. Instead, Tyler Boyd latched onto another good ball from Cardoso to make it 2-1 approaching the interval.
Immediately after the re-start, keeper Ricardo Ferreira did well to keep out the irrepressible Cardoso, but Portimonense gained the ascendancy thereafter and in the 54th minute Soares found Wellington in front of goal.
The Brazilian’s miscued effort fell into the path of Pires whose shot was beaten out by Cláudio Ramos only for Wellington to be at hand to make no mistake with his second attempt.
Portimonense now went in search of the winner with Pires and Wellington again in the thick of the action, but both saw good opportunities thwarted by Tondela keeper Ramos to leave the match drawn.
“We were not satisfied with the result,” manager Vítor Oliveira said afterwards. “We deserved more than a point. The first half was balanced although we had more possession, and the second was even better and we could have made it 3-2. However, 35 points should be enough to secure our top division status.”
Off the pitch, attention has focused on the renewed interest in Nakajima with Benfica said to be planning a move for the Japanese forward should Salvio leave at the end of the season, and Portimonense’s efforts to secure Vítor Oliveira’s services for another year. Meanwhile, the Algarveans are back in action this Saturday when bottom club Estoril are the visitors to the municipal stadium.
By SKIP BANDELE
