Campeonato de Portugal Division D league leaders SC Olhanense entertain fourth place DC Louletano on Sunday in what is sure to be a hotly disputed game that could go a long way to deciding who qualifies for the play-offs.
Louletano are the in-form team, having won their last five games, whilst Olhanense drew at second place SC Real last weekend. Olhanense travelled to Queluz and fielded a full-strength team against SC Real who were just a point behind the visitors.
Olhanense took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck and were unlucky not to be in the lead at the break. Five minutes after the interval, Olhanense’s midfield general and captain Leleco picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will, therefore, miss the game against Louletano.
Midway through the second half, Olhanense broke the deadlock when Hassan’s low cross was only partially cleared and fell to João Vasco on the edge of the box. The 25-year-old winger took his goals total to nine for the season as he hammered an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
The visitors looked to be heading for an important victory until the final minute of normal time when João Ventura’s free kick skimmed off the head of Olhanense’s Caleb and looped over keeper Rodrigo to secure SC Real a valuable point.
Meanwhile, Louletano were maintaining their impressive form with a 3-1 home win against lowly Fabril do Barreiro. The visitors took the lead when Diogo Marques put through his own goal but second-half strikes by Abou Toure (54’), Diogo Marques (74’), making amends for his earlier faux-pas, and Filipe Garcia (79’) secured the points that leave them just two points behind Olhanense.
Sunday’s top clash takes place at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão (behind McDonalds on the EN 125) at 3pm. Fans are advised to arrive early.
New signings strengthen Olhanense
Olhanense has secured the loan signing of Italinho from Segunda Liga outfit Leixões SC. The 20-year-old Colombian striker – he can also play on the wing – has scored eight goals in 25 games for the Leixões U23 team.
Italinho had previously helped Santa Clara (Azores) gain promotion to the Primeira Liga and gained experience at Benfica as a youth player. Highly rated 18-year-old Geri Selita has been signed from São Pedro da Cova (AF Porto Elite Division). The U17 Albanian international midfielder previously played for his hometown team Besa Kavaje where he made his debut for the senior team when only 16.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
