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28/02/10 Sporting took up where they left off midweek when they destroyed Everton 3-0
in the Europa League to do the same to title contenders FC Porto on Sunday. From the outset, Sporting were the more aggressive of the two sides, and Porto just never found their game for a moment.
Sporting were in front from the 6th minute after an insistent run down the left by Moutinho and a cross that was only half cleared by the Porto defence; Yannick
was on the edge of the box to crack the ball home. If that sent Porto into a bit of a spin, the goal just before the break by Izmailov, pouncing on another poor clearance from the Porto defence and driving the
ball in from 20 metres, sent the current champions into the break with a large hill to climb. The hill became a mountain two minutes into the second half when a cross shot from Liedson on the right bounced
back off the far post and fell for Miguel Veloso, who curled the ball in from 15 metres out. Porto huffed and puffed to get back into the game, but they had neither the gumption nor the talent on the night to
overcome a rampant Sporting. It was a convincing win from a rejuvenated Sporting side that put a firm claim on the fourth spot in the Liga. Porto are now eight points behind Braga
and nine behind eternal rivals Benfica. The title is not mathematically lost, but only a fool would put money on Porto now. Sporting: Rui Patrício, Abel, Tonel, Daniel Carriço (Polga 74),
Grimi, Izmailov (João Pereira 90), Pedro Mendes, Miguel Veloso (Adrien 76), João Moutinho, Liedson, Yannick FC Porto:
Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira, Ruben Micael (Guarín 56), Tomás Costa, Raul Meireles (Belluschi 46), Mariano (Rodriguez 56), Falcao, Varela.
Paços de Ferreira beat
Vitória de Setúbal in a 5-3 thriller at home. The visitors went ahead as early as two minutes through Keita, Pizzi equalising on 26. William scored from the spot on 32, and Maykon
made it 3-1 just before the break. Hélder Barbosa reduced the lead six minutes into the second half, but Danielson made it 4-2 four minutes later. Paulo Regula
gave Vitória some hope on 84 minutes, but a minute from time, William got his second (his ninth of the season) to make it 5-3 at the final whistle. The score lifts Paços to 6th.
Paços de Ferreira: Coelho, Baiano (Candeias 21), Danielson, Ricardo, Jorginho (Kelly 76), Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio, Bruno Di Paula, Pizzi (Livramento 65), William, Maykon.
Vitória de Setúbal: Mário Felgueiras, Collin (Paulo Regula 77), Ricardo Silva, André Pinto, Ney, Sandro, Djikiné, Bruno Ribeiro (Kazmierczak 46), Hélder Barbosa, Keita (Rui Fonte 94), Henrique.
Naval beat Maritimo 2-1 at home. Kléber put the Madeiran side in front on 12 minutes, with Alex Hauw equalising for Naval four minutes from half time. Eight minutes from time, sub Marinho
finished off a Fábio Júnior pass to give Naval all three points. Their midfielder Godemeche was sent off on the stroke of time for a second yellow. Naval:
Peiser, Carlitos, Gómis, Diego, Daniel Cruz, Lazaroni, Godemèche, Alex Hauw, Camora (Marinho 27), Bolívia (Michel Simplício 77), Fábio Júnior (Kerrouche 89). Marítimo: Peçanha, Briguel, Robson,
Diakité, Alonso, Bruno (Fidelis 85), Roberto Sousa, Manu, Pitbull (Tchó 77), Djalma, Kléber (Babá 45). A goal by Brazilian midfielder Wires on 39 minutes gave Rio Ave
a precious three points at Académica.Académica:
Ricardo, Pedro Costa (Pedrinho 79), Berger (Paulo Sérgio 80), Orlando, Emídio Rafael, Nuno Coelho (Bibishkov 46), Cris, Diogo Gomes, Sougou, Vouho, João Ribeiro. Rio Ave:
Carlos, Zé Gomes, Gaspar, Fábio Faria, Sílvio, André Villas Boas, Vítor Gomes (Tarantini 81), Wires, Nélson Oliveira (Bruno Fogaça 68), Chidi (Filipe Alberto 84), Bruno Gama. 28/02/10 A super show and hat-trick from Argentinian forward Angel di Maria helped Benfica to a 4-0 win at struggling Leixões on Saturday. Di
Maria had the ball in the net on 20 minutes but the goal was ruled out for (a non-existent) offside. it was his Brazilian teammate Éder Luís
who opened the scoring with a drive from 35 metres that deflected wildly off a defender, completely wrong-footing Diego in the Leixões goal. Benfica only began to give substance to their dominance on 58 minutes,
di Maria
getting his first with a shot from the edge of the box that Diego got to but could not stop. A quarter of an hour from time he got his second, a neat lob over Diego after being fed by Carlos Martins. Then four minutes from time, he shot from 25 metres into the top right-and corner of the net. The result leaves Benfica at the top of the table for another week.
Leixões: Diego, Nuno Silva, Joel, Fernando Cardozo, Bruno Gallo (Nelson 6), Fernando Alexandre, Seabra, Paulo Tavares (Didi 68), Jean Sony, Antunes (João Paulo 45), Pouga.
Benfica: Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão, Airton (Ruben Amorim 69), Ramires, Di Maria, Éder Luís (Carlos Martins 58), Saviola (César Peixoto 65), Cardozo.
They are one point ahead of Sporting Braga, who beat plucky Olhanense 3-1. Olhanense went in front on 15 minutes through Djalmir, who had hit the post minutes earlier: Castro crossed for the
Brazilian striker to beat his marker to the ball and head in. Matheus equalised six minutes later after Tengarrinha had failed to cut out a cross. Braga were ahead on 37 minutes, left back Evaldo
popping up in the centre forward position to head home. Ten minutes into the second half, the game was virtually done and dusted, Meyong
knocking the ball in after a good run and cut-back on the left from Paulo César. Sporting Braga: Eduardo, Miguel Garcia (Olberdam 73), Leone, Moisés, Evaldo, Filipe Oliveira, Hugo Viana;
Alan, Paulo César (Renteria 88), Matheus, Meyong (Luís Aguiar 62).
Olhanense:
Ventura, João Gonçalves, Tengarrinha, Miguel Ângelo, Carlos Fernandes (Lionn 60), Rui Duarte, Delson, Castro, Paulo Sérgio (Toy 60), Djalmir (Yazalde 70), Ukra. 27/02/10Vitória de Guimarães climbed (provisionally) to fourth in the Liga after a 1-0 win at European-spot rivals União de Leiria
on Friday. After the game, Leiria coach Lito Vidigal thanked the people of the town for their support, but in fact there were only 1,373 present in the Municipal Stadium to witness a dull first half. The second half was marked by the foul by
Hélder Godinho on Nuno Assis on 64 minutes that meant a red card for the 'keeper and a penalty. Andrezinho
converted it against União's third-choice 'keeper Mika, who went on to keep Vitória out on various occasions. União de Leiria:
Hélder Godinho, Paulo Vinícius, Diego Gaúcho, José António, Ronny, André Santos, Marco Soares (Zahovaiko 81), Silas, Pateiro (Tiago Luís 80), Carlão (Mika 65), Cássio. Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Alex, Gustavo Lazzaretti, Valdomiro, Andrezinho, João Alves, Moreno, Rui Miguel (Fábio Felício 76), Nuno Assis, Desmarets (Marquinho 55; Flávio Meireles 93), Roberto.
23/02/10 Bottom club Belenenses are looking increasingly doomed. They failed once again to win any points on Monday, going down 1-2 at home to Académica
. Vouho put the visitors in front on17 minutes from a cross by Cris, with the Belenenses defence static. Berger
headed in a Diogo Gomes corner four minutes later. On the hour, Belenenses pulled one back, Yontcha
swivelling in front of goal to tuck the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Belenenses put in all the effort they cold to turn the game around – they were applauded off the pitch by their fans – but their shooting was terribly off, and it was Académica who took the points.
Belenenses: Assis, Mano, Devic, Marcos António, Tiago Gomes (Fredy 46), Celestino, André Almeida (Yontcha 25), José Pedro, Fajardo (Cândido Costa 72), Barge, Lima.
Académica:
Ricardo, Pedro Costa, Orlando, Berger, Emídio Rafael (Hélder Cabral 38), Cris (Paulo Sérgio 65), Nuno Coelho, Diogo Gomes, Vouhou (Lito 75), Sougou, João Ribeiro 22/02/10 FC Porto answered those that suggested they had lost the chance of winning their fifth straight title by thrashing second-in-the-league Sporting Braga 5-1
on Sunday. It was a display of great power and objectivity against a Braga side that had conceded just eight goals all season before this game. On the night, the Braga defence looked very shaky, but the Porto attack was also very ruthless and took advantage of all the offers they were given.
The first minutes were even, and it was Braga who came closest to scoring through a Paulo César header on 13 minutes, saved by Hélton, and a shot shortly afterwards from former Porto winger Alan that hit
the side netting. But on 15 minutes, Varela was given acres of space down the left, and his low cross was side-footed in by Raul Meireles
on the six-yard box. Around the 30-minute mark, Eduardo was called upon to make two saves from Rúben Micael and Mariano, both of them deflected by defenders. On 34 minutes, it was third time unlucky for the Braga 'keeper as
Álvaro Pereira
drove the ball in from 30 metres, via the head of Paulão. The same Pereira, who had an excellent first half, dinked a through ball to Varela on 36 minutes, and the winger proceeded to cross for a carbon-copy of the first goal, this time with
Falcao getting on the end of it. Early in the second half, Braga had a legitimate appeal for a penalty rejected when Mossoró was brought down by Raul Meireles, but the referee Olegário Benquerença
gave nothing. Braga were struggling to make inroads against a Porto on the top of their game, and when they got their fourth on 72 minutes, Falcao
heading in a Raul Meireles corner, it was all over bar the shouting. On 83 minutes, Mariano insisted on the right as the Braga defence failed to clear, and his cut-back fell for Belluschi
who drove the ball home. Braga did get a consolation, Alan
glancing in a header from a Luís Aguiar free, but they will need to dust themselves off, put this humiliation behind themselves and summon back their normal form for the remaining games. The result leaves Benfica
clear top, one point ahead of Braga and six ahead of Porto. FC Porto: Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira, Rúben Micael (Tomás Costa 68), Fernando (Valeri 78), Raul Meireles, Varela
(Belluschi 75), Falcao, Mariano. Sporting Braga: Eduardo, Filipe Oliveira, Moisés, Paulão, Evaldo, Olberdam (Rafael Bastos 66), Hugo Viana (Meyong 46), Mossoró (Matheus 78), Luís Aguiar, Alan, Paulo
César. Paços de Ferreira leap-frogged over Rio Ave into ninth place, beating them 2-1 in Vila do Conde. William scored from the spot on the stroke of half time, Fábio Faria
equalised seven minutes into the second half and Ricardo won the match for Paços seven minutes after that. Rio Ave: Carlos, José Gomes, Gaspar, Fábio Faria, Sílvio, André
Vilas Boas, Wires (Bruno Gama 46), Vítor Gomes, Bruno Gama, Nelson Oliveira (Tarantini 71), Chidi (Sidnei 64). Paços de Ferreira:
Coelho, Baiano, Ozeia, Ricardo, Danielson, Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio, Bruno (Livramento 52), Pizzi (Candeias 70), William, Maykon (Kelly 89). Naval beat Vitória de Setúbal 1-0
away. Vitória were without Ney, Neca, Hélder Barbosa and Keita, all suspended, and were behind within ten minutes, Bolívia finishing off a Fábio Júnior cross. And that was the way it stayed.
Vitória de Setúbal: Mário Felgueiras, Collin (Lourenço 73), Zoro (Bruno Ribeiro 46), Ricardo Silva, Zarabi, Djikiné, Sandro, Paulo Regula (Luís Carlos 46), Kazmierczak, Rui Fonte, Henrique.
Naval: Jorge Baptista, Gómis, Diego, Daniel Cruz, Carlitos, Godemche, Lazaroni, Alex Hauw (Giuliano 88), Camora (Marinho 67), Fábio Júnior (Michel Simplício 82), Bolívia.
21/02/10 Sporting failed to win for the fourth straight league game (seven in all competitions) on Saturday, drawing 0-0 at lowly Olhanense. In
atrocious conditions of wind and rain, Sporting had the better of the first half and might have taken the lead if Yannick, Matias and Tonel had been more clinical in their finishing. Olhanense had a superb chance to
score also, Djalmir blasting wide. In the second half, it was Olhanense who came closest to securing all three points, but Rui Duarte fluffed his shot at the back post with ten minutes to go. Olhanense:
Ventura, João Gonçalves, Tengarrinha, Miguel Ângelo, Carlos Fernandes, Delson, Castro, Rui Duarte, Paulo Sérgio (Toy 62), Djalmir (Yazalde 69), Ukra (Rabiola 88).
Sporting: Rui Patrício, Abel, Tonel,
Carriço, Grimi, Pedro Mendes, Matías (Pereirinha 65), Miguel Veloso, Yannick, Saleiro (Postiga 65), Liedson Leixões remain second from bottom after going down 0-2 at Vitória de Guimarães
, who jump to 6th. Vitória went in front on 36 minutes, a Desmarets free kick headed in by Valdomiro. Andrezinho hit the post shortly afterwards and shot wide from a good position early in the second
half. The result was open until three minutes from time when Rui Miguel tapped in after a fine run and cross from Nuno Assis on the left. It was Vitória's first win in five games. Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Alex, Valdomiro, Gustavo Lazzaretti, Andrezinho, Moreno (Flávio Meireles 62), Custódio (Rui Miguel 45), Desmarets, Nuno Assis, Marquinho (João Alves 79), Roberto.
Leixões:
Diego, Nuno Silva, Fernando Cardozo, Joel, Nelson, Paulo Tavares (Jean Sony 46), Fernando Alexandre, Hugo Morais, Zé Manel (João Paulo 78), Seabra (Braga 73), Pouga 20/02/10 Marítimo and Nacional drew 1-1 in the Madeira derby on Friday. On 33 minutes, Bracalli saved a Pitbull header, but Kléber
was on hand to finish off. Nacional left it until 15 minutes from time to equalise, Felipe Lopes heading in a Pecnik corner. It was Marítimo's first home draw of the season, and Nacional's first away draw. Marítimo: Peçanha, Paulo Jorge, Robson, João Guilherme, Alonso, Roberto Sousa (Tchô 80), Bruno (Fernando 70), Cláudio Pitbull, Manú, Djalma, Kléber (Babá 70).
Nacional:
Rafael Bracalli, Patacas (Edgar Silva 73), Alex Bruno, Felipe Lopes, Nuno Pinto, Cléber (Edgar Costa 46), Leandro Salino (Pecnik 70), Luís Alberto, Thiago Gentil, João Aurélio, Pedro Oldoni.
16/02/10 Naval and Vitória de Guimarães closed the 19th
jornada on Monday with a dull 0-0 draw in front of 451 unlucky people in chilly Figueira da Foz. Illustrative of the quality of play was that the best chance for either team fell to Naval's Gómis … two minutes from time. It was Vitória's fourth straight game without a win.
Naval: Peiser, Gómis, Diego, Daniel Cruz, Carlitos, Godemèche, Lazaroni, Alex Hauw, Camora (Marinho 64), Tandia (Fábio Júnior 61), Bolívia (Michel Simplício 82)
Vitória de Guimarães: Nilson, Alex, Gustavo, Valdomiro, Andrézinho, Moreno (João Alves 75), Custódio, Marquinho (Fábio Felício 75), Nuno Assis, Desmarets (Jorge Gonçalves 65), Roberto.
15/02/10 Sporting Braga moved to within one point of Benfica at the top of the table on Sunday, with a game in hand, after beating Marítimo 2-1
in front of over 30,000 at the Braga Municipal Stadium (entry was free on the night). The Madeiran side proved a very hard nut to crack for a Braga side lacking spark. The best chance for both teams in the
first half came from corners, Paulão heading over for Braga and Marítimo's Robson forcing a fine save from Eduardo. Six minutes into the second half, Braga were ahead after Hugo Viana sent a
cross to the back post that was returned by Alan for Meyong, lurking at the opposite post, to head calmly in. Ten minutes later, Marítimo were level when Djalma
let fly from 25 metres; the shot was swinging, but Eduardo, planted to the spot, could have done more than watch it sail in. Then ten minutes from time, a moment of controversy: Filipe Oliveira took the ball down the line on the right towards the corner flag but it went out. The linesman was standing almost on top of the situation but did not flag, and Oliveira took it on, crossed, Matheus won the ball in a ruck, it fell for Oliveira again, he squared it and
Luís Aguiar clipped it into the bottom left hand corner. It was a goal that prejudiced Marítimo's efforts but gave Braga three points to keep their title challenge alive. Sporting de Braga:
Eduardo, Filipe Oliveira, Paulão, Rodriguez (André Leone 90), Evaldo, Olberdam, Hugo Viana, Luís Aguiar, Alan, Diogo Valente (Adriano 66), Meyong (Matheus 58).
Marítimo:
Peçanha, Paulo Jorge, João Guilherme, Robson, Briguel (Taka 85), Roberto Sousa, Bruno (Baba 85), Pitbull, Manu, Djalma, Kléber (Diakité 90). Coming from four straight defeats, Nacional
managed to stop the rot with a 1-1 draw at home to Rio Ave. In a scrappy game, it was Nacional who took the lead ten minutes into the second half through Pedro Oldoni
after Rio Ave had failed to clear a corner. It took Rio Ave just five minutes to respond, the impressive midfielder Wires shooting home. 1,393 spectators were there to witness it all. Nacional:
Bracalli, Patacas, Halliche (Tomasevic 25), Alex Bruno, João Aurélio, Cléber, Luís Alberto, Leandro Salino, Pecnik, Anselmo (Juliano 46), Pedro Oldoni (Rodrigo 62).
Rio Ave:
Carlos, Zé Gomes, Gaspar, Fábio Faria, Sílvio, Vítor Gomes, Wires (Adriano 87), Tarantini, Bruno Gama, Nélson (Bruno Moraes 76), Chidi (Sidnei 65). There were just 1,568 to see União de Leiria and
Vitória de Setúbal draw 3-3. Vitória were ahead twice, going in front on nine minutes through Collin from a Hélder Barbosa corner. They were further ahead on the half hour, Kazmierczak
converting a cross from Bruno Ribeiro. Cássio headed União's first on 36 minutes, but there was still time before the break for Henrique to make it 1-3 and for Cássio to reduce the lead again. Vitória were dealt a blow on 64 minutes when the dangerous Hélder Barbosa was sent off for a second yellow for shooting after the referee had blown. and on 68 minutes, União secured a point with a free-kick
form their resident expert Ronny, although Vitória 'keeper Mário Felgueiras must take most of the blame for the shot going in. It was the least that União deserved for a second half of dominance.
União de Leiria: Hélder Godinho, Paulo Vinícius, Bruno Miguel, Diego Gaúcho, Ronny, André Santos, Vítor Moreno (Tiago Luís 75), Silas, Pateiro (Ouattara 83), Carlão (Zahovaiko 63), Cássio.
Vitória de Setúbal: Mário Felgueiras, Collin, Zoro, Ricardo Silva, Zarabi (Sandro 69), Bruno Ribeiro (André Pinto 73), Djikiné, Kazmierczak, Hélder Barbosa, Keita e Henrique (Luís Carlos 92).
Olhanense got an important point at Académic in a 1-1 draw. The goals came in a first half that was more lively and interesting than the second. Djalmir put the visitors in front on 22 minutes, with
Tiero scoring from the spot on the half hour after Vouhou had been brought down. Tiero blotted his copy book on 66 minutes when he saw a direct red for a foul on Crlos Fernandes. Académica:
Ricardo, Pedrinho (Paulo Sérgio 84), Orlando, Markus Berger, Emídio Rafael, Nuno Coelho, Diogo Gomes, Tiero, João Ribeiro (Amoreirinha 74), Lito (Cris 70), Vouhou.
Olhanense:
Ventura, João Gonçalves, Sandro, Miguel Ângelo, Carlos Fernandes (Toy 74), Rui Baião, Castro, Delson (Yazalde 80), Paulo Sérgio, Ukra, Djalmir (Rabiola 70). 14/02/10 Benfica beat a plucky Belenenses 1-0 on Saturday, taking their lead at the top to four points over Braga, although the northern club have two games in hand. Cardozo
nodded in on ten minutes for the only goal of the game after good work down the right and a cross from Ramires. Fajardo had the equaliser at his feet on 27 minutes, but shot wide from five metres out with only Quim to beat. On 78 minutes,
Bruno Vale
handled outside his area to stop a shot from Cardozo on the break and was sent off. Even so, it was Belenenses, their coherent play belying their bottom position, who came closest to scoring near the end, the excellent Mano driving just wide from 25 metres.
Benfica: Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, César Peixoto (Weldon 46), Javi Garcia, Ramires, Fábio Coentrão, Aimar (Carlos Martins 62), Saviola (Ruben Amorim 70), Cardozo.
Belenenses: Bruno Vale, Mano, Devic, Marcos António, Tiago Gomes, Gomez, Celestino (Assis 80), Barge (José Pedro 67), André Almeida, Fajardo (Yontcha 58), Lima. FC Porto
lost ground on the top two, managing only a 0-0 draw at neighbours Leixões. An under-par Porto had many chances to win the game against a team buoyed by the arrival of new coach Fernando Castro Santos,
but their shooting was poor, Varela and Belluschi especially guilty. Porto were incensed on 57 minutes when Joel clearly brought down Rúben Micael in the area, but referee Bruno Paixão, just a few metres away,
gave nothing. Porto were also unhappy with a second half broken up by time-wasting from the Leixões players, which went unpunished. Leixões:
Diego, Nuno Silva (Cauê 62), Joel, Fernando Cardozo, Nélson, Fernando Alexandre, Seabra, Paulo Tavares (Fábio Espinho 89), Hugo Morais, Zé Manuel (Tucker 78), Pouga.
FC Porto:
Helton, Miguel Lopes, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Fucile, Fernando (Orlando Sá 81), Belluschi (Tomás Costa 64), Rúben Micael, Varela, Mariano, Falcão. 13/02/10
Sporting managed to put a brake on a series of defeats with a 0-0 draw at Paços de Ferreira. It was a game of little interest, with Sporting showing why they have been struggling all season. Liedson
and Carriçoa came close for them, Bruno for Paços, but the result reflected well what went on on the pitch. Paços de Ferreira:
Coelho, Baiano, Ozeia, Ricardo, Danielson, Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio, Manuel José (Candeias, 58), Maykon (Pizzi 80), Bruno (André Leão 74), William. Sporting:
Rui Patrício, Abel, Daniel Carriço, Tonel, Grimi, Adrien Silva (Yannick Djaló 69), Pedro Mendes, João Moutinho, Pongolle (Matías Fernandez 54), Carlos Saleiro, Liedson. 09/02/10 Sporting Braga showed the stuff and luck of champions on Monday, winning 3-1 at bottom club Belenenses. It looked like they were in trouble early on:
Belenenses were the more aggressive team in midfield, and Braga, missing Vandinho and Mossóró, both suspended, were struggling to produce their neat, trademark football on a sticky Restelo pitch. Then on 15 minutes,
they had real problems: captain Moíses
saw two yellow cards for two fouls in the same Belenenses move, the first waved on by the referee, the second a tackle on Lima in the area that gave Belenenses a dubious penalty. Fortunately for Braga, goalkeeper
Eduardo
was in brilliant form on the night and parried Lima's spot kick. In numerical superiority, Belenenses were making all the running, but it was Braga who took the lead in added time at the end of the first half: Luís Aguiar curled a free-kick into the heart of the penalty area from deep on the right, and
Paulo César got the finest of touches to head past Bruno Vale. It was much of the same in the second half. Early on, Fajardo crashed a drive against the bar from 25 metres, via Eduardo's fingertips,
and Mustafa had a header blocked from point blank range by the inevitable Eduardo. In the blink of an eye, Braga had the ball up the other end, Mustafa let Matheus
slip past him and the Brazilian forward tucked the ball past Bruno Vale's right hand. Belenenses continued to exert pressure, which the superb Braga defence (six goals conceded all season going into tonight's game) soaked up. On another break on 73 minutes,
Renteria
skipped past Marcos António out on the left, possibly with the help of a foul, carried the ball goal-wards and chipped the 'keeper from 20 metres. It looked all over for Belenenses, but to their credit, they came back with belief and ten minutes from time pulled one back. André Almeida shot from outside the box, Eduardo went down to his left to stop the ball but could not hold onto it, and
Yontcha
was following up to tap in. Belenenses kept up the charge, but it was hearts ruling heads by this point, with Braga hiding the ball as much as possible. The seconds ticked away and Braga had secured all three points in a famous victory. They are now just a point behind
Benfica with a game in hand. Belenenses: Bruno Vale, Mano, Mustafa (André Almeida 56), Marcos António, Miguelito, Pelé (Fredy 34), Celestino, José Pedro, Fajardo (Barge 67), Yontcha, Lima
Sporting Braga: Eduardo, Miguel Garcia, Moisés, Rodriguez, Evaldo, Filipe Oliveira, Luís Aguiar, Hugo Viana (Matheus 40), Alan, Paulo César (Renteria 62), Meyong (Paulão 19)
08/02/10 FC Porto put pressure on the top two in the Liga (Benfica and Sporting Braga) by beating Naval 3-0
on Sunday. It was not Porto's most convincing performance of the season, and for some time in the second half, with Porto just 1-0 up, Naval were causing them problems. But as the cream rises to the top, so Porto's class in the last third told to produce what was ultimately a rather flattering scoreline.
Argentinian midfielder Tomás Costa, staking a claim for a permanent place in the absence of Fernando and Raul Meireles, got the first on 37 minutes, shooting from an indirect free-kick and seeing
his effort deflected past Peiser by Lazaroni. Simplício came close to equalising on 75 minutes, his shot saved by Hélton. Porto virtually clinched the result four minutes later, with Falcao
diving to head in a Bruno Alves assist from a Tomás Costa free-kick. Three minutes from time, Varela
was fed by Falcao on the edge of the box and cracked a low shot just inside the right hand post to give a more robust result than Porto really deserved. FC Porto: Helton, Fucile (Miguel Lopes 82),
Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira, Tomás Costa, Belluschi (Guarin 64), Rúben Micael (Valeri 82), Mariano, Falcao, Varela.
Naval: Peiser, Carlitos, Gomis, Diego Ângelo, Daniel Cruz, Lazaroni, Godemèche,
Alex Hauw, Davide (Fábio Júnior 46), Bolívia (Simplício 74), Camora Paços de Ferreira were 0-1 down at Vitória de Guimarães through a Valdomiro
header from a corner on 17 minutes, but came back through Ozéia with a long shot on 25, and they took all three points on the hour through Maykon. The result leaves Paços 10th
on 22 points, one behind Guimarães and Rio Ave. Marítimo beat União de Leiria 1-0 after the game was delayed for 40 minutes due to torrential rain obliterating the pitch markings. Kléber
got the only goal of the game on 19 minutes from a Bruno free-kick. União are 5th on 26 points, Marítimo one place behind on 25. Two goals from Bruno Gama on 71 and 81 minutes gave Rio Ave a
2-0 win over Leixões, who are stuck second from bottom. Rio Ave are 9th. A headed Toy goal on 90 minutes gave Olhanense a precious three points at home to Nacional,
allowing them to put space between themselves and the relegation places. It was Nacional's fourth straight defeat. 07/02/10 Benfica dropped two valuable points at
Vitória de Setúbal on Saturday. The 1-1 result was made from two own goals: on 14 minutes, Ricardo Silva deflected a Davíd Luíz header past his 'keeper from a corner. Then on 37 minutes, it was
David Luiz's turn to put the ball past Quim as he tried to clear. In added time, Cardozo crashed a penalty against the bar. Braga could now theoretically overtake Benfica if they won their two games in hand.
Vitória de Setúbal: Mário Felgueiras, Collin, Zarabi, Ricardo Silva, Bruno Ribeiro (Rúben Lima 64), Zoro, Djikiné, Kazmierczak, Hélder Barbosa, Keita, Neca (Regula 84).
Benfica:
Quim, Maxi (Nuno Gomes 82), Luisão, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão, Javi Garcia, Carlos Martins (Ramires 56), Pablo Aimar (Kardec 72), Di María, Saviola, Cardozo. Sporting's headaches continue; they lost 1-2
at home to Académica, and while they could not be faulted for effort this time, they often looked a ragged outfit against the well organised Estudantes. Orlando
put Académica in front on just three minutes with a long-range free-kick that Rui Patrício should have fielded, but it skimmed off the pitch and over the Sporting 'keeper. João Moutinho
equalised on 24 minutes, following through on a good move down the right and prodding in a João Pereira cross in the face of the goal. But on the hour, João Ribeiro
finished off a neat counter attack by Académica to have the Alvalade crowd whistling once again. Sporting: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Polga, Tonel, Grimi, Pedro Mendes (Hélder Postiga 82), João Moutinho,
Matías Fernandez, Vukcevic (Saleiro 61), Liedson, Pongolle (Pereirinha 72)
Académica: Ricardo, Pedro Costa, Berger, Orlando, Emídio Rafael, Nuno Coelho, Tiero, Cris (Amoreirinha 82), Diogo Gomes (Vouho
46), Sougou, João Ribeiro (Lito 70) 04/02/10 Benfica were just too strong for high-flying União de Leiria
on Wednesday, winning their 20th jornada Liga clash 3-0. The Eagles were in front as early as the 10th minute, Saviola working a neat one/two with Aimar before serving Cardozo
for an easy header, and did not look back from then on. However, it was not until the hour mark that they extended their lead, effectively making the game safe: Saviola
was justifiably greedy this time, breaking down the left before squeezing a shot in at the near post. If things were difficult for União at that point, they became impossible on 75 minutes when Elias was sent off for a second yellow card. In the dying minutes, and with União having used all their substitutions, their goalkeeper Djuricic was virtually a passenger, and on 89 minutes he could not get across in time to stop a shot from 20 metres out by sub
Rúben Amorim curling inside the post. The game was brought forward from the weekend of 21 February due to Benfica's commitments in the Europa League. The result means that Benfica go clear top, three points ahead
of Sporting Braga, who have a game in hand. União stay fifth. Benfica:
Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão, Ramires (Rúben Amorim 81), Javi Garcia, Pablo Aimar (Éder Luís 72), Di Maria, Saviola (Alan Kardec 84), Óscar Cardozo.
União de Leiria:
Djuricic, Hugo Gomes (Cássio 65), Diego Gaúcho, José António, Paulo Vinícius, Pateiro, André Santos, Elias, Vítor Moreno, Carlão (Pedro Cervantes 76), Silas (Tiago Luís 81).
02/02/10 Marítimo won ther first league game after four straight defeats on Monday, beating Leixões 2-1
in Matosinhos in the north of Portugal. All three goals came within the first 20 minutes. On four, Didi broke and squared the ball for Hugo Morais
to sweep the ball in for a simple goal. Marítimo equalised through new signing from Belenenses Diakité
on 11 minutes, the Mali defender knocking the ball in from a corner; he would be sent off on the hour for a second yellow. On 19 minutes, another debutant, Kléber
breaking down the right, had one shot blocked but buried the second. It proved to be the winner, but Marítimo were helped by Leixões defender Cauê being sent off on 13 minutes after bringing down Djalma, through on goal. Marítimo jump to 8
th while Leixões remain second from bottom. Leixões:
Diego, Cauê, Tucker, Fernando Cardozo, Nélson (Tiago Cintra 77), Seabra (José Manuel 67), Fernando Alexandre, Fábio Espinho, Hugo Morais, Pouga, Didi (Sony 33).
Marítimo:
Peçanha, Briguel, João Guilherme, Diakité, Alonso, Bruno, Roberto Sousa, Paulo Jorge, Manú (Taka 90), Djalma (Fernando 65), Kléber (Babá 74).
01/02/10
In the first minute of Vitória de Setúbal's 2-2 draw with Rio Ave, the Rio Ave 'keeper Carlos was sent off for bringing down Keita in the area;
Kazmierczak hit home the penalty. Just before the break, Rio Ave were level, Chidi
getting to the ball first after goalkeeper Mário Felgueiras had put a Fábio Faria free kick against the post. On 73 minutes, André Pinto handled in the area and was sent off, Chidi
getting his second after Wires' penalty had been saved by Mário Felgueiras. But Neca
fixed the final score on 81 minutes with a direct free kick. Vitória's Ney Santos was the third player to be sent off two minutes from time for a foul on Bruno Gama. Vitória de Setúbal:
Mário Felgueiras, Ney, Zarabi, André Pinto, Ruben Lima, Djikiné, Kazmierczak, Sandro (Luís Carlos 46), Neca, Hélder Barbosa (Henrique 65), Keita (Zoro 91).
Rio Ave:
Carlos, José Gomes, Gaspar, Fábio Faria, Sílvio, André Villas Boas, Ricardo Chaves (Adriano 78), Tarantini (Wires 46), Bruno Gama, Wesllem (Mora 4), Chidi Paços de Ferreira beat Académica
with the last kick, or rather header, of the match. Berger had put Académica in front on 47 minutes, but five minutes from time, Ricardo headed in from a cross from the right, and deep into added time,
Romeu Torres dived to head in another cross from deep on the right. Paços de Ferreira: Cássio, Baiano, Ozeia, Ricardo, Jorginho (Carlitos 56), Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio (Romeu Torres
70), Manuel José (Pizzi 46), Livramento, Maykon, William. Académica:
Rui Nereu, Pedrinho, Berger, Orlando, Emídio Rafael, Paulo Sérgio (André Fontes 83), Tiero, Cris (Nuno Coelho 78), Sougou (Lito 67), João Ribeiro, Vouho.
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