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31/01/10
Benfica kept neck and neck with Braga at the top of the table by beating a resilient Vitória de Guimarães 3-1 in Lisbon on Saturday.
It was Benfica who showed first, Cardozo and Luisão, with an overhead kick, coming close. Then on 17 minutes, Benfica took the lead, the Vitória defence gifting Aimar
with a ball that he took on and stroked past the helpless Nilson. Vitória were banking on the counter attack, and it was with one of those that they equalised on 32 minutes, Desmarets feeding Nuno Assis, who
did a one-two with Douglas before planting the ball past Quim. It was all Benfica from then until the break, with Cardozo dwelling too long on a ball and being dispossessed, Valdomiro almost putting through his own
goal, and David Luíz and Cardozo forcing good saves from Nilson.
With the game tied, Benfica were always exposed to moments of inspiration, and three minutes into the second half, Marquinho produced one, forcing a good save from Quim with a shot from an angle. But on 50
minutes, it was Benfica who regained the lead, Aimar breaking down the right before cutting the ball back for Carlos Martins
to place his shot inside the near post from the edge of the box. Ten minutes later, it was the same Carlos Martins
who received a touch from Cardozo before unleashing a perfect drive into the top right-hand corner of the net from a full 25 metres. There followed some scares for Benfica, notably a near-own goal by Luisão, and then they were shaken on 72 minutes when Carlos Martins saw a second yellow for hand-ball and was sent off. Up against ten men, Vitória managed to apply some pressure on the Benfica goal, but it was generally heart ruling head, and it was Benfica who had the best chance in the closing stages, Cardozo, clearly in an offside position, taking the ball on from the halfway line but allowing a save from Nilson.
Benfica: Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, Fábio Coentrão, Javi García, Carlos Martins, Di María, Pablo Aimar (Rúben Amorim 74), Saviola (Éder Luís 76), Óscar Cardozo (Alan Kardec 88).
Vitória de Guimarães: Nilson, Alex (Roberto 68), Moreno, Valdomiro, Leandro (Fábio Felício 65), João Alves, Custódio, Targino (Marquinho 34), Nuno Assis, Desmarets, Douglas.
FC Porto kept in touch with the top two by beating Nacional 4-0
in Madeira. They benefitted from a double blow for Nacional on the half hour: Alex Bruno was adjudged to have fouled Álvaro Pereira in the box, he saw a second yellow card and Varela scored from the spot.
Falcao extended the lead just before the break, assisted by Álvaro Pereira, and the same Álvaro Pereira set him up for his second goal, Porto's third, on the hour. Varela
put a cherry on the cake five minutes from time.
Nacional: Bracali, Patacas, Felipe Lopes, Alex Bruno, Nuno Pinto, Luís Alberto, Cléber, Pecnik (Edgar Costa 41), Leandro Salino, João Aurélio (Anselmo 55), Edgar Silva (Diego Barcelos 51).
FC Porto: Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Maicon, Álvaro Pereira, Belluschi, Fernando (Tomas Costa 71), Ruben Micael, Varela, Falcao (Orlando Sá 77), Rodriguez (Mariano 19).
União de Leiria
moved into fifth place, one point behind Sporting, after a 2-0 home win over Olhanense. They left it until the hour mark to go in front, Silas
hammering home from a Cássio feed. Then just before the end, Vítor Moreno
confirmed the three points, following up after Carlão had hit the post. There were just 990 spectators at the Leiria Municipal Stadium to see it.
União de Leiria: Djuricic, Paulo Vinícius, Diego Gaúcho, Zé António, Ronny, André Santos, Elias, Pateiro, Silas (Vítor Moreno 82), Carlão (Zahovaiko 91), Cássio (Tiago Luís 76).
Olhanense: Ventura, João Gonçalves (Delson 70), Tengarrinha, Anselmo, Carlos Fernandes, Rui Baião, Rui Duarte (Yazalde 78), Castro, Ukra, Paulo Sérgio, Rabiola (Djalmir 66)
Bottom club Belenenses are even more bottom after going down 0-1 in front of 1,014 spectators at Naval, who managed three points after three straight defeats. Camora assisted
Godemèche on 17 minutes for the only goal of the game.
Naval: Peiser, Carlitos, Gómis, Diego, Daniel Cruz, Lazaroni, Godemèche, Bolívia (Baradji 85), Alex Hauw, Tandia (Michel Simplício 59), Camora (Marinho, 73).
Belenenses: Bruno Vale, Mano, Marcos António, Mustafá, Miguelito, Cândido Costa (André Almeida 75), Gabriel Gomez (Celestino 45), José Pedro, Fredy, Yontcha (Fajardo 45), Lima.
30/01/10
Braga confirmed top spot in the Liga for yet another week on Friday, beating Sporting 1-0
at home, getting the double over the Lisbon 'giants'. The result leaves Sporting 15 points off the pace.
Sporting started stronger and for 15 minutes had Braga pinned back in their own half. But gradually, it was Braga
that proved why they have been sitting at the top of the league for the whole season, with their solid defence and midfield, and their well designed attacks coming into play.
It was tight until the 31st minute when Paulo César
skinned Miguel Veloso on the left and cut inside to send a shot goalwards that deflected off Tonel, fooling Rui Patricio. The goal seemed to open the game up a little and on 35 minutes, Saleiro forced Eduardo to tip his drive over. Two minutes later, Hugo Viana sent a free kick just wide. And on 40 minutes, Eduardo dropped a Grimi cross, Liedson pouncing on the loose ball but unable to find the target on the turn.
If anything, the second half was tighter than the first, the best chance reserved for the last minute with Matias Fernandez heading for goal and extracting an exceptional save from Eduardo.
Sporting Braga: Eduardo, Filipe Oliveira, Moisés, Rodriguez, Evaldo, Vandinho, Hugo Viana, Mossoró (Renteria 76), Alan, Meyong (Luís Aguiar 62), Paulo César (Matheus 62)
Sporting: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Tonel, Daniel Carriço, Grimi, Adrien (Matias 60), Izmailov (Yannick 54), Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Carlos Saleiro (Pongolle 70), Liedson.
18/01/10
Sporting Braga remain top of the league after beating Académica 2-0 in Coimbra on Sunday. Matheus was brought down on 42 minutes, with Meyong
coolly slotting home the penalty. But the game was open until the 90th minute. The Académica 'keeper Rui Nereu was sent off for handling outside the box and was replaced by outfield player Licá, but he could do nothing to stop the treacherous free-kick from
Matheus that settled the score.
Académica: Rui Nereu, Pedrinho, Orlando, Markus Berger, Emídio Rafael (João Ribeiro 77), Nuno Coelho, Tiero, Cris (Miguel Fidalgo 60), Lito (Hélder Cabral 63), Sougou, Licá.
Sporting de Braga: Eduardo, Filipe Oliveira, Leone, Moisés, Evaldo, Hugo Viana (Rafael Bastos 86), Vandinho, Paulo César, Mossoró (Miguel Garcia 80), Alan, Meyong (Matheus 61).
Benfica thrashed
Marítimo 5-0
in Madeira, helped by circumstances that reduced Marítimo to nine men by half time. Marítimo's best player, paradoxically, was goalkeeper Peçanha, who made a triple-save on the half hour before Cardozo chipped the ball to the back post for
Saviola, unmarked, to head in. Two minutes later, Olberdam saw a direct red, apparently for words to the referee. Four minutes after that, Benfica were 2-0 up through Maxi Pereira
with a neat close-range flick from a low Di Maria cross. Then in added time, Di Maria, very close to play, was allowed to come on after treatment, stole the ball from Briguel and passed to Cardozo, who shot … but Robson stopped the ball with his hand on its way goalwards. Robson was sent off, leaving Marítimo with nine on the pitch, and
Cardozo hit home the spot kick.
The second half resembled a practice game for Benfica, such was the space and time they had against Marítimo's nine. But they got just two more: Roberto Sousa
put through his own goal from a Maxi cross on 51 minutes, and Luisão
headed in a Di Maria free kick on 70. The nearest Marítimo came to pulling anything back was a move involving two former Benfica players: Paulo Jorge put Manú through, but the diminutive winger's shot was wide with only Quim to beat.
Benfica remain on the same points as Sporting Braga at the top, now six points ahead of FC Porto. This was Marítimo's fourth straight defeat in the league.
Marítimo: Peçanha, Paulo Jorge, Fernando, Robson, Alonso, Roberto Sousa, Olberdam, João Luiz (João Guilherme 45), Manú, Pitbull (Briguel 38), Baba (Kléber 79).
Benfica: Quim, Maxi
Pereira, Luisão, David Luiz, César Peixoto, Javi Garcia, Ramires (Éder Luís 57), Aimar (Carlos Martins 57), Di Maria, Cardozo, Saviola (Nuno Gomes 70).
Earlier in the afternoon, high-flying Rio Ave were dealt a blow, going down 0-2 at home to União de Leiria. Cássio
put them in front on 14 minutes, heading in a Ronny corner at the back post, and five minutes from time, Ronny found the net with a powerful trademark free kick.
Rio Ave Mora, José Gomes, Gaspar, Jeferson, Sílvio, Ricardo Chaves (Tarantini 28), Wires (Sidnei 72), Vítor Gomes, Bruno Gama, João Tomás e Evandro (Chidi 46).
União de Leiria Duricic, Paulo Vinicius, Diego Gaúcho, José António, Ronny, André Santos, Elias (Vítor Moreno 73), Pateiro, Silas (Pedro Cervantes 92), Cássio (Tiago Luís 87), Carlão.
Belenenses went down 1-3 at home to Leixões. The 27th minute was fatal for Belenenses: Diakité brought down Pouga in the box, saw a second yellow, and Hugo Morais
converted the spot kick. Down to ten men, Belenenses had a chance to draw level just before the break when Trombetta fouled Mano in the box, but Diego stopped José Pedro's penalty.
On 62, Didi crossed for Pouga to finish off at the back post, making it 0-2, and Didi himself shot from the edge of the area on 72 to make it 0-3. Yontcha
managed a consolation at the curtain, but the result leaves Belenenses at the bottom of the table.
Belenenses: Bruno Vale, Mano, Devic, Diakité, André Pires (Pelé 46), Gabriel Gomez, Celestino (Yontcha 69), José Pedro, Cândido Costa, Lima, André Almeida (Fredy 46).
Leixões: Diego,
Cauê, Tucker, Trombetta (Nuno Silva 48), Gallo, Fernando Alexandre, Seabra (Paulo Tavares 60), Fábio Espinho, Didi, Pouga (Zé Manel 82), Hugo Morais.
17/01/10
Reigning Champions FC Porto were once again off colour on Saturday and dropped two points at home to ultra-defensive Paços de Ferreira (1-1). Porto were 'ahead' on 24 minutes with a
goal from Falcao; it was disallowed for a non-existent offside. But Porto were struggling to find a spark, and it was Paços that went in front on 83 minutes, Maykon
coolly finishing off a killer cross from Pizzi. The lead only lasted three minutes, however, Varela crossing from the left for Falcao
to beat the otherwise excellent Cassio to the ball at the near post. A minute from time, Paços defender Ozeia saw a second yellow card for a supposed hand ball that was not.
The result means that Porto could drop to six points behind Braga and Benfica if both teams win their games this weekend.
FC Porto: Helton, Fucile (Guarin 75), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira, Tomás Costa (Ernesto Farias 60), Raul Meireles, Belluschi (Mariano Gonzalez 79), Varela, Cristian Rodriguez, Falcao.
Paços de Ferreira: Cássio, Baiano, Ricardo, Ozeia, Danielson, Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio, Pedrinha, Manuel José (Pizzi 66), Maykon (Jason 96), William (Fábio Pacheco 92).
Sporting were down to a Ruben Micael goal on 24 minutes at home to Nacional, the midfielder, touted to be moving to Sporting, guiding a perfect header past Rui Patricio from a cross by
Edgar Costa. But the lead lasted just a minute, with Miguel Veloso
cracking a drive inside the left-hand post from 20 metres. Liedson, out for a month after a knee operation, was sent on as sub by Carlos Carvalhal on 57 minutes, and two minutes later it was the Brazilian/Portuguese striker that gave Sporting the lead: Moutinho took a corner on the right, Izmailov headed it on to the back post and
Liedson was there to blast it into the roof of the net. It was Liedson
that extended the lead on 72 minutes, this time clipping in a Miguel Veloso cross at the near post. It seemed like Sporting would be coasting it from there on in, but Edgar Silva, on as sub, took adantage of
a mix-up between Rui Patricio and Carriço to nudge the ball in on 84 minutes. Tomasevic and Edgar Silva had chances to equalise in the time left, but an equaliser would have been tough punishment for a Sporting side
that appears to have re-found itself; this was the team's fifth stright win in the league/League Cup.
Sporting: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Tonel, Daniel Carriço, Grimi, Adrien, Izmailov (Matías 77), Miguel Veloso (Vukcevic 75), João Moutinho, Saleiro, Hélder Postiga (Liedson 57).
Nacional:
Bracalli, João Aurélio, Felipe Lopes, Cléber, Tomasevic, Nuno Pinto, Leandro Salino, Pecnik, Rúben Micael (Pacheco 80), Amuneke (Edgar Silva 64), Edgar Costa (Anselmo 78).
There were two goals early on at Vitória de Guimarães, where the local side drew 2-2 with visitors Vitória de Setúbal. Setúbal were in front on three minutes through Keita,
finishing off a free-kick from the right taken by Ney. But Guimarães were level two minutes later, Marquinho diving to head in from close range following a cross from the right by Andrezinho. Collin
got the better of Desmarets to head in an Hélder Barbosa cross on 62 minutes, but the same Desmarets crossed low from deep five minutes later and the ball struck Targino's leg and fooled Mário Felgueiras.
Vitória de Guimarães: Nilson, Andrezinho, Valdomiro, Sereno, Milhazes (Fábio Felício 46), Flávio Meireles, João Alves (Targino 67), Desmarets, Nuno Assis, Marquinho (Douglas 61), Roberto.
Vitória de Setúbal: Mário Felgueiras, Ney, Collin, Zarabi, André Pinto, Ruben Lima, Sandro (Neca 81), Kazmierczak (Zoro 89), Djikiné, Henrique (Hélder Barbosa 46), Keita.
Castro from outside the area on 51 minutes gave Olhanense only their second league win of the season (at home to Naval) and their first in almost four months to take them out of the
relegation zone.
Olhanense: Ventura, João Gonçalves, Tengarrinha, Anselmo, Carlos Fernandes, Rui Baião, Castro, Rui Duarte, Paulo Sérgio (Greg 86), Rabiola (Zequinha 68), Ukra (Lionn 93).
Naval: Peiser, Carlitos, João Real, Diego Ângelo, Camora, Godemeche (Alex Hauw 67), Baradji, Michel Simplício, Bolívia, Marinho (Tandia 60), Kerrrouche (Ouatara 70).
12/01/10
Belenenses and Vitória de Setúbal slogged out a 0-0 draw at a rainy Restelo on Monday night to close the Primeira Volta (first half) of the championship. The nearest either side came to scoring was a shot from Belenenses'
Celestino that hit the bar on 72 minutes, although Setúbal had more of the play and chances in the second half.
Belenenses: Bruno Vale, Mano, Diakité, Beto, Tiago Gomes, Gabriel Gomez, Cândido Costa (Yontcha 60), Celestino, Barge (Dani 74), Lima, Fredy
Vitória de Setúbal:
Mário Felgueiras, Collin, André Pinto, Zarabi, Ruben Lima, Sandro, Djikiné, Kazmierczak (Ney 74), Regula (Luís Carlos 70), Keita, Hélder Barbosa (Zoro 89)
The result pushes Leixões to the bottom of the table on ten points, with Belenenses just above them on 11, along with Olhanense. Setúbal have 12.
11/01/10
FC Porto kept in touch with Braga and Benfica at the top of the table with a scraped 3-2 win at home to União de Leiria on Sunday. Porto went in front on 15 minutes, Falcão
screwing the ball in from an acute angle when Belluschi's weak shot was going wide. On the half hour, União equalised, a Ronny free-kick glanced past Hélton by centre back Diego Gaúcho
. Porto regained the lead on 37 minutes, with Bruno Alves rising to head in a Raul Meireles header. But back came União six minutes into the second half when a Ronny
shot from 25 metres was deflected past Helton by Cristian Rodríguez. Porto insisted on 63 minutes, Falcão forcing a loose ball home from a Belluschi corner, and the result looked likely to remain five minutes later when Djuricic was sent off for handling outside his area, although replays showed that the ball had hit his nose. His replacement, Hélder Godinho, kept Porto out a couple of times to keep his side in with a shout, and in added time, Fernando handled in the area and was sent off for a second yellow. But Ronny blasted the ball straight down the middle and it flew off Helton's body for a corner. The three points were safe for Porto.
FC Porto: Helton, Miguel Lopes (Farias 60), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Alvaro Pereira, Fernando, Belluschi (Tomás Costa 86), Raul Meireles, Varela, Falcao (Mariano 83), Rodríguez.
União de Leiria: Djuricic, Paulo Vinicius, Diego Gaúcho, Bruno Miguel, Patrick (Vítor Moreno 46), André Santos, Marco Soares, Ronny, Silas (Hélder Godinho 71), Tiago Luís, Carlão.
Earlier in the evening, Académica beat Naval relatively comfortably 2-0 to notch up their fourth win in a row. In front of just 2,136 spectators at the Coimbra Municipal Stadium,
Lito took advantage of a defensive mistake on eight minutes to knock the ball in, and the result was made just before the break when Sougou got between two defenders to head home from close range.
Académica: Rui Nereu, Pedrinho, Amoreirinha, Markus Berger, Emídio Rafael, Nuno Coelho, Tiero, Cris (Paulo Sérgio 78), Lito (João Ribeiro 87), Sougou, Miguel Fidalgo (Licá 67).
Naval:
Peiser, Carlitos, João Real, Diogo Ângelo, Baradji, Alex Hauw (Kerrouche 45), Godemche, Camora, Michel Simplício (Davide 82), Marinho (Ouattara 75), Bolívia.
Paços de Ferreira grabbed a point at
Olhanense, who have not won in the league since September. William put the visitors in front on 25 minutes, striking home a low cross from Danielson, but sub Zequinha
made it 1-1 a quarter of an hour from the end, saving a point for the lowly Algarve side.
Olhanense: Ventura, João Gonçalves, Sandro, Anselmo, Carlos Fernandes, Rui Baião, Castro, Rui Duarte (Greg 75), Paulo Sérgio (Zequinha 58), Rabiola, Ukra (Toy 83).
Paços de Ferreira:
Cássio, Baiano, Ozeia, Danielson, Ricardo, Pedrinha, Filipe Anunciação, Leonel Olímpio (Fábio Pacheco 66), Manuel José (Kelly 92), William, Maykon (Carlitos 75).
10/01/10
Both Lisbon giants won on Saturday evening against resilient opposition, and both by the same scoreline: 1-0.
Benfica were at Rio Ave, a team riding surprisingly high in the table. They proved a tough nut to crack, and it was once again Argentinian forward Saviola
who cracked it, sending a half-volley into the roof of the net from a corner two minutes into the second half.
Rio Ave: Mora, Zé Gomes, Gaspar, Jeferson, Fábio Faria, André Vilas Boas, Wires (Adriano, 55), Vítor Gomes (Tarantini, 78), Bruno Gama, João Tomás e Sidnei (Chidi, 59).
Benfica: Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Miguel Vítor, César Peixoto,
Javi Garcia, Ramires, Carlos Martins (Aimar, 66), Di Maria, Cardozo e Saviola (Fábio Coentrão, 83).
Sporting fielded one of their new signings from the outset at home to Leixões. João Pereira was a dynamic presence down the right hand side, and whether by coincidence or not, Sporting
produced their best football of the season in the first half. They could not break through, however, because in the opposition's goal was a man by the name of Diego who stopped everything coming his way. Sporting's
other new signing Pongolle
came on in the second half, but his most striking contribution was a header that was going into his own goal before Rui Patricio tipped it over. Leixões' Bruno Gallo was harshly sent off on 69 minutes for a second yellow, and although his team continued to resist, it was perhaps only a question of time before Sporting's pressure would tell. And tell it did on 84 minutes, central defender
Tonel heading in from a corner with Diego for once helpless.
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Tonel, Daniel Carriço, Grimi, Adrien (Matias Fernández 77), Izmailov, João Moutinho, Vukcevic (Pereirinha 93), Hélder Postiga (Sinama-Pongolle 59), Saleiro.
Leixões: Diego, Jean Sony, Tucker, Trombetta, Bruno Gallo, Fernando Alexandre, Seabra (Didi 86), Fábio Espinho, Léo (Zé Manuel 59), Hugo Morais, Pouga (Antunes 80).
In the afternoon, Vitória de Guimarães stole all three points at Marítimo, who suffered their third straight defeat. On a squelchy pitch after an intense downpour before the game, both teams
struggled to play coherent football. It was left to central defender Sereno
to head in a cross from deep by Andrézinho on 73 minutes to snatch the points for his side. Marítimo's captain Bruno was sent off on 77 minutes for words to the referee.
Marítimo: Peçanha, Paulo Jorge, Robson, Fernando, Alonso (João Guilherme 89), Roberto Sousa, Bruno, Taka (Luís Olim 66), Manú, Cláudio Pitbull (Kléber 61), Baba.
Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Andrezinho, Sereno, Gustavo (Milhazes 45), Custódio, Moreno, João Alves, Nuno Assis (Jorge Gonçalves 93), Marquinho (Douglas 63), Desmarets, Roberto.
09/01/10
Sporting Braga ensured top spot in the Liga in their last game of the primeira volta, beating Nacional 2-0
at home. They were in front on just two minutes, Hugo Viana flighting in a free kick from the left for unmarked captain Vandinho
to head in. Braga dominated the game and had the best chances, but were kept out by the always excellent Bracali. The Madeiran side's first shot at goal was on 15 minutes, with Eduardo saving comfortably from Pecnik, and they had just two other attempts at goal in the whole of the first half.
The result was effectively settled ten minutes into the second half when Mossoró put the impressive Filipe Oliveira through down the right; the full-back's cross from the line was headed goalwards by
Moises, the ball was blocked and André Leone
was following up to score. Nacional's cause was not helped by midfielder Leandro Salino seeing a second yellow 15 minutes from time. And indeed, Braga could have extended their lead through Hugo Viana, who hit a post, and Matheus, who fluffed a gift of a cross by Diogo Valente.
Sporting Braga: Eduardo, Filipe Oliveira, Moisés, André Leone, Evaldo, Vandinho, Hugo Viana, Mossoró (Diogo Valente 86), Alan (Yazalde 83), Paulo César, Meyong (Matheus 74).
Nacional:
Bracali, Patacas, Felipe Lopes, Tomasevic, João Aurélio, Cléber, Leandro Salino, Ruben Micael, Pecnik (Pedro Pacheco 83), Amuneke (Anselmo 68), Edgar (Rodrigo 68).
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