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july 2011
31/08/11
* Sporting have signed Brazilian midfielder Elías from Atlético Madrid for 8.85 million euros, the most expensive player in the club's history. The contract is for five years.
* Utility player Marco Caneira has terminated his contract with Sporting and joined Hungarian club Videoton, coached by Paulo Sousa, on a two-year contract.
* Portuguese forward Pizzi has joined Atlético Madrid until December, on loan from Sporting Braga
* Brazilian central defender Ozeia, 28, is moving to Romanian club Vaslui from Paços de Ferreira.
* Benfica have extended Argentinian forward Franco Jara's contract for one year until 2016, despite loaning him to Granada this season
* New coach Rui Vitória's first day at Vitória de Guimarães
was an eventful one, with fans of the club invading the training pitch and allegedly assaulting Moroccan player Faouzi. Vitória's move from Paços de Ferreira reportedly involved a 100,000 euro fee and first refusal on Guimarães players for Paços for the next two years.
* Rui Vitória's job at Paços de Ferreira has been taken by Luís Miguel, 40, the brother-in-law of FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira. In 2007, he coached Feirense and has worked at prestigious
Aspire Academy in Qatar.
* quotes of the day
"I'm not a matador but I know how to score goals." Sporting's new signing from Atlético Madrid, Elías.
"Cristiano Ronaldo recommended me to Jorge Jesus." Ex-Benfica 'keeper Roberto, now of Zaragoza, whose passage through Benfica was brief and rocky.
30/08/11
* Benfica had to battle fog and a terrier-like Nacional to win 2-0 in Madeira on Monday (goals). Fog settled over the Nacional stadium in the first half, forcing the referee to stop play
twice because of bad visibility. In between the two stoppages, Gaitán crossed from the right for Óscar Cardozo to head in. The fog cleared in the second half, but the referee's vision must have been impaired as he
showed Nacional's João Aurélio a second yellow for an innocuous foul on 62 minutes. Down to ten men, Nacional still managed to create occasional danger, but Benfica have a new goalkeeper, Artur Morães, and he's no
mug. As Nacional threw everything forward going into added time, the ball broke and sub Bruno César ran with the ball from deep inside his own half to unleash a rocket from the edge of the area at the other end that
the otherwise useful Elisson had not a hope stopping. Benfica go provisionally top of the table on seven points.
Nacional:
Elisson, João Aurélio, Danielson, Felipe Lopes, Nuno Pinto, Luís Alberto, Rene Mihelic (Ivan Todorovic 70), Skolnik, Candeias, Mário Rondon (Diego Barcellos 70), Mateus (Edgar Costa 63).
Benfica:
Artur Moraes, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Witsel, Pablo Aimar (Enzo Perez 78), Nico Gaitan (Ruben Amorim 89), Nolito (Bruno César 46), Óscar Cardozo
* In a lively game in front of 3,382 at the Bonfim stadium in Setúbal, Vitória lost 0-1 to Sporting Braga (highlights). Braga came nearest to scoring in the first half, Alan heading goal-wards from a
corner with Miguelito clearing off the line and against the bar. Braga left it until eight minutes from time to secure the win, Hélder Barbosa cutting inside from the right and shooting as he fell. Like Benfica,
Braga have seven points.
Vitória de Setúbal:
Diego, Peter Suswam, Ricardo Silva, Anderson do Ó, Miguelito, Hugo Leal (Bruno Gallo 76), Neca, Bruno Amaro (Tengarrinha 70), Jorge Gonçalves, Henrique (Bruno Severino 60), Pitbull.
Sporting de Braga:
Berni, Baiano, Paulo Vinícius, Nuno André Coelho, Elderson, Djamal, Hugo Viana, Mossoró (Leandro Salino 85), Alan (Nuno Gomes 73), Lima, Hélder Barbosa.
* Paços de Ferreira coach Rui Vitória looks set to join Vitória de Guimarães, replacing Manuel Machado, who resigned last week.
* Benfica are to loan Argentinian forward Franco Jara to Spanish club Granada.
* quote of the day
"Cardozo is an idol in Portugal." FC Porto's new signing, Argentinian forward Juan Iturbe, on his Paraguayan counterpart. Iturbe has obviously never been to Benfica's Luz.
29/08/11
* Things go from bad to worse for Sporting. After two draws in their two opening games, they lost 2-3 (goals) at home to Marítimo
on Sunday in front of 27,965 at Alvalade XXI. Sporting were actually in front, Izmailov shooting from outside the box on 38 minutes. But in a mad two-minute period early in the second half, they were behind, Marítimo's goals coming from Rafael Miranda and the impressive Sami. Fifteen minutes from time, Sporting were back in the game, sub Jeffrén scoring from a free-kick. Unfortunately for him and Sporting, he pulled a muscle in the process and had to leave the pitch, meaning that Sporting were down to ten men as they'd used all their substitutes. In the dying minutes, Sporting's weaknesses from dead-ball situation were in evidence again as Babá rose unmarked to head home a corner and give Marítimo all three points to take back to Madeira. Sporting have just two points from a possible nine …
Sporting: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Anderson Polga, Daniel Carriço, Evaldo, André Santos, Schaars, Izmailov, Yannick (Bojinov 54), Hélder Postiga (Van Wolfswinkel 64), Diego Capel (Jeffrén 54).
Marítimo: Peçanha, Briguel, Róbson, Roberge, Rúben Ferreira, Roberto Sousa, Rafael Miranda, Olberdam (Marquinho 83), Sami (Adilson 89), Danilo Dias, Heldon (Baba 65).
* Another club with troubles are Vitória de Guimarães. They lost their coach in mid-week when Manuel Machado resigned after a 0-4 home defeat against Atlético Madrid in the Europa League, and they lost at
home again against Beira-Mar, 0-3 (goals), in front of 9,627. Artur started the Aveiro side off
on 24 minutes with a long-range free-kick that went through a crowd of players and in. Cristiano made it two on 52 minutes after a mistake by 'keeper Nilson. And Nildo made it three with a solo effort near the end.
As it left the ground, the Vitória club coach taking the players back to their hotel needed police protection.
Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Tony, N'Diaye, João Paulo, Anderson Santana, El Adoua, Leonel Olímpio (Pedro Mendes 55), Toscano (Soudani 67), Targino, Faouzi (Barrientos 55), Edgar.
Beira-Mar: Rui Rego, Pedro Moreira, Yohan
Tavares, Hugo, Joãozinho, Nuno Coelho, Zhang, Artur (Jaime 91), Nildo, Cristiano (Balboa 72), Douglas (Dudu 86).
* Olhanense got their first victory, at normally difficult Rio Ave. The only goal of the game came on 35 minutes, a Wílson Eduardo corner turned into his own goal by Éder.
Rio Ave: Paulo Santos, Zé Gomes, Éder Monteiro, Jeferson, Tiago Pinto, Vítor Gomes, Wires, Saulo (Kelvin 45), Braga (Jorginho 75), Christian (Yazalde 45), João Tomás
Olhanense:
Fabiano Freitas, Jorge Gonçalves (André Micael 78), Maurício, Mexer, Ismaily, Fernando Alexandre, Cauê, Rui Duarte, Ivanildo (Salvador Agra 59), Wilson Eduardo (Mateus 80), Dady
* Feirense drew 0-0 at home to Paços de Ferreira (highlights), their second 0-0 draw
of the season. They had Siaka Bamba sent off after half an hour for a foul on Manuel José, while Paços were also reduced to ten men on 54 minutes, Diogo Figueiras taking the walk of shame. Feirense have two points,
Paços have four.
Feirense: Paulo Lopes, Luciano, Pedro Queirós, Diogo Cunha (Diogo Rosado 70), Ludovic (Miguel Pedro 66), Rabiola, Varela, Mika, Siaka Bamba, Carlos Fonseca, Henrique.
Paços de Ferreira: Cássio, Cohene, Vítor (Melgarejo 26), André Leão, Luiz Carlos, Luisinho (Backar 77), Nuno Santos, Diogo Figueiras, Michel (William 68), Manuel José, Filipe Anunciação.
* Former Brazilian international and Benfica centre-half and captain Ricardo Gomes is critically ill in hospital after suffering a stroke during the game between Flamengo and the team he coaches, Vasco da
Gama, in the Brazilian league.
* quotes of the day
"There were too many mistakes for just one game." Sporting coach Domingos Paciência after his team lose 2-3 to Marítimo.
"It's at times like these that we see who the real men are." Vitória de Guimarães goalkeeper Nílson after the 0-3 home defeat to Beira-Mar.
28/08/11
* Gil Vicente won their first game of the season on Saturday, beating Académica, who had won their first two, 2-0 (goals). In an even game, it took two dead-ball situations to give Gil the points: on 69 minutes,
Richard's free kick was met by André Cunha who headed in; on 88 minutes, Adrien Silva handled in the area and Cláudio scored from the spot.
Gil Vicente:
Adriano Facchini, Éder, Sandro, Cláudio, Júnior Caiçara, Luís Manuel, Pedro Moreira (Richard 58), André Cunha, Laionel (Roberto 58), Hugo Vieira, Luís Carlos (Paulo Lima 92).
Académica:
Peiser, João Dias, Berger, Abdoulaye, Hélder Cabral, Adrien, Danilo (Rui Miguel 72), Habib (Hugo Morais 89), Marinho (Sissoko 62), Éder, Diogo Valente.
* Sporting have signed Argentinian left back Emiliano Insúa, 22, from Liverpool, until 2016. The Lisbon club have secured 50% of his pass, costing nothing for the moment; the transfer fee
will be linked to appearances and performance.
* FC Porto have had a bid for striker Vágner Love turned down by CSKA Moscow.
* quotes of the day
"We have to win, and it has to be tomorrow." Sporting coach Domingos Paciência ahead of the game against Marítimo. Sporting drew their first two league games.
"Cheating at the Casino."
Headline of sports daily A Bola following FC Porto's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in Mónaco; Porto claimed a penalty when the score was 1-0.
27/08/11
* FC Porto were by no means humiliated by Barcelona in the European Super Cup on Friday (highlights). Indeed, they made the Spanish champions look ordinary in the first half with their
tight pressing and organised defence. But on 39 minutes, Guarín lost his way in midfield, tried to pass the ball back, it missed Sapunaru, the intended target, and fell for Messi, who could not believe his luck as
he rounded Helton and stroked the ball into the empty net. As the game wore on, Porto's tactics began to take it out of them, and they couldn't manage to create much of a threat to the Barcelona goal, although
Guarín tried to redeem himself with a shot from 25 metres that Valdés had to tip over. The last ten minutes of the game proved vital to the final result. On 81 minutes, Abidal fouled Guarín in the area, but none of
the match officials noticed anything wrong. On 86, Rolando saw a second yellow for a foul on Messi. In the absence of the centre-back, Messi chipped a through ball for an unchallenged Fábregas, on as sub, to make it
2-0 two minutes from time. And in the dying minutes, Guarín saw a straight red for a foul on Masherano; it wasn't his night.
FC Porto:
Helton, Sapunaru, Rolando, Otamendi, Fucile, Souza (Fernando 77), Guarín, João Moutinho, Cristian Rodriguez (Varela 69), Hulk, Kléber (Belluschi 77).
FC Barcelona:
Valdés, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Adriano (Busquets 63), Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro Rodríguez (Cesc Fabregas 80), David Villa (Alexis Sánchez 61), Messi.
(A note to UEFA: for a showcase event like this, choosing the Luís II stadium in Mónaco was an especially unfunny joke, with its 18,000 capacity and atrocious pitch that made life enormously
difficult for the artists.)
* Coach Manuel Machado has left Vitória de Guimarães, to be replaced by caretaker Basílio Marques. Machado offered his resignation after Vitória were soundly beaten 0-4 at home by Atlético
Madrid on Thursday. Director José Pereira also blamed the abuse Machado received from a minority of Vitória supporters for the resignation.
* Paulo Bento announced on Friday his Portugal
squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia on 2 September. Returning are Rolando, Miguel Veloso, Paulo Machado and Eliseu. Out go Castro and Nuno Gomes.
Goalkeepers:
Eduardo (Benfica), Quim (Sporting Braga), Rui Patrício (Sporting);
Defenders:
Bruno Alves (Zenit), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), Rolando (FC Porto), João Pereira (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid), Sílvio (Atlético de Madrid), Eliseu (Málaga);
Midfielders:
André Santos (Sporting), João Moutinho (FC Porto), Raul Meireles (Liverpool), Rúben Micael (Zaragoza), Miguel Veloso (Genoa), Paulo Machado (Toulouse);
Forwards:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Hélder Postiga (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Varela (FC Porto).
* Sporting Braga and Sporting have what look like, on paper, accessible opponents in the group stage of the Europa League, drawn on Friday:
Group D
SPORTING
Lazio (Italy)
FC Zurich (Switzerland)
Vaslui (Romania)
Fixtures:
(15 September)
Zurich-Sporting
(29 September)
Sporting-Lazio
(20 October)
Sporting-Vaslui
(3 November)
Vaslui-Sporting
(1 December)
Sporting-Zurich
(14 December)
Lazio-Sporting
Group H
SPORTING BRAGA
Club Bruges (Belgium)
Birmingham (England)
Maribor (Slovenia)
Fixtures:
(15 September)
Birmingham-Sporting Braga
(29 September)
Sporting Braga-Bruges
(20 October)
Maribor-Sporting Braga
(3 November)
Sporting Braga-Maribor
(30 November)
Sporting Braga-Birmingham
(15 December)
Bruges-Sporting Braga
* quotes of the day
"It's difficult to give a penalty against Barcelona." FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira after the European Super Cup defeat to the Spanish champions.
"The difference is that we have Messi." Barcelona defender Dani Alves.
"A month ago I heard a top director of Sporting say that they wouldn't be commenting on refereeing, but now there's no one who talks about the refereeing more than them." FC Porto president Jorge Nuno
Pinto da Costa.
26/08/11
* It was a night of mixed fortunes for the Portuguese clubs in the Europa League play-offs on Thursday, with two going through to the group phase and two going out.
* Last season's beaten finalists in the competition, Sporting Braga, made hard work of it at Swiss side Young Boys
after the first leg had finished 0-0. Hélder Barbosa gave them a vital away goal on 20 minutes with a fantastic solo effort, leaving Young Boys to get two to win. They got one of them on the hour through Mayuka, but Ben Khalifa was sent off for slapping Quim, who was trying to delay the Swiss from taking the ball back to the centre circle. This should have been an opportunity for Braga to dominate, but they were very nebulous in their attacking play and nervous at the back, fearing the one goal that would have put Young Boys through. However, in a rare moment of attacking clarity, sub Guilherme fed Lima who scored. It gave Braga a bit of a cushion, although they were back on the tightrope ten minutes from time when Farnerud equalised from a free-kick, with Quim slow to get across. The last ten minutes were hairy for Braga, but they held out. (goals)
Young Boys:
Wölfli, Zverotic, Affolter, Veskovac (Doubai 84), Spycher, Silberbauer, Alex Farnerud, Raimondi (Nuzzolo 46), Mayuka, Khalifa, Henri Bienvenu (Degen 59).
Sporting Braga:
Quim, Baiano, Paulo Vinícius, Ewerton, Elderson, Djamal, Hugo Viana (Mossoró 77), Salino (Vinícius 86), Lima, Alan, Hélder Barbosa (Guilherme 61).
* In front of 24,028 at Alvalade XXI, a conspicuous five of whom were followers of Danish side Nordsjaelland, Sporting
dominated but had the same old problem: scoring goals. Not helping was the excellent goalkeeper Hansen, but Sporting's shooting was also often weak or wayward. After a 0-0 result in the first leg, the tie was in the balance until the last quarter of an hour. On 77 minutes, sub Bojinov laid the ball off to André Santos who aimed through a sea of legs and past an unsighted Hansen. Then on 83, Evaldo thighed the ball in from a corner. Laudrup pegged one back for Nordsjaelland in added time, but there was no time left for them to go that bit further. It was Sporting's first win in official games under coach Domingos Paciência. (goals)
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Polga, Daniel Carriço, Evaldo, André Santos, Schaars (Rinaudo 70), Izmailov (Carrillo 85), Diego Capel, Yannick (Bojinov 62), Hélder Postiga.
Nordsjaelland:
Jesper Hansen, Kildentoft, Okore, Bjelland, Gundelach, Stokholm, Parkhurst, Lawan (Andreas Laudrup 66), Christensen (Nichlas Rohde 83), Beckmann (Mikkelsen 62), Granskov.
* Nacional took a 0-0 draw to Birmingham City
but by half time their dream of continuing was over with two goals from the impressive Nathan Redmond and Murphy. Nacional needed something special in the second half but never looked incisive enough to turn the score around, and Chris Wood added another for Birmingham late in the game to make it 3-0 (goals).
Birmingham:
Myhill, Carr, Davie, Caldwell, Burke (Asante 88), Beausejour, Murphy, Adam Rooney, Spector, Redmond, Wood (Jervis 89).
Nacional: Elisson, Claudemir (Edgar Costa 55), Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Tomsevic,
Luís Alberto, Daniel Candeias, Elizeu, Diego Barcelos (Mihelic 55), Mateus (Oliver 64), Rondon.
Vitória de Guimarães, 0-2 down from the first leg at Atlético Madrid, had the least chance of all four Portuguese sides, and they were doomed within two minutes, goalkeeper Nilson bringing
Filipe Luís and Gabi scoring from the spot. It mean that Vitória needed to score four to go through on aggregate, and that was never going to happen, especially when Adrián López got another for the colchoneros on 18 minutes. López added yet another in the second half and Sálvio scored a fourth to pile the humiliation on Vitória (goals). They did at least welcome back an old favourite, veteran Nuno Assis, who has signed on a
two-year contract.
V. Guimarães: Nilson, Alex, N'Diaye, El Adoua, Anderson, Pedro Mendes, Leonel Olímpio, João Alves (Targino 46), Barrientos (Soudani 66), Faouzi (Toscano 46), Edgar.
Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Sílvio, Perea, Miranda, Filipe Luís, Mario Suárez (Koke 67), Gabi, Tiago (Elias 46), Salvio, Reyes, Adrián (Juanfran 71).
* Sporting Braga and Sporting will be seeded in the draw for the group stage, which will take place in Mónaco on Friday.
* The draw took place on Thursday for the group phase of the Champions League, with Portugal's two representatives ending up in relatively straightforward groups. The games will be played
between 13/14 September and 6/7 December.
Group C:
Manchester United (England)
BENFICA
Basel (Switzerland)
Otelul Galati (Romania)
Group G:
FC PORTO
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Zenit (Russia)
APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus)
* quotes of the day
"When he comes onto the pitch, it's certainly not to deliberately make life difficult for Sporting." Coach Domingos Paciência defends forward Yannick Djaló, the object of impatient whistling by Sporting
fans.
"We didn't come to watch them play, we came to win." FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira ahead of the game against Barcelona for the European Super Cup.
"It's an honour to play FC Porto." Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
"My objective is to try to go down in the history of Spanish football." Atlético Madrid midfielder Rúben Micael, loaned out to Zaragoza.
25/08/11
* In what coach Jorge Jesus described as Benfica's "best game of the season", his team saw off Dutch side Twente with ease at the Luz, 3-1 (goals), in the play-off to enter the group phase of the Champions League; the first leg had
finished 2-2. Benfica dominated throughout and could have scored a hatful in the first half but were very wasteful. Two minutes into the second half, however, Luisão headed a deep free-kick on and the excellent
midfielder Witsel was sharp enough to be there to score with a crisp overhead kick. On the hour, the in-form Aimar sent a corner over from the left that Luisão met at the near post to head in. The game was more or
less over at that point, but Benfica further underlined their dominance with a beautifully worked goal six minutes later, Aimar feeding Cardozo who clipped a delightful pass into the path of Witsel, the Belgian
running on to beat Mihaylov with a neat shot. Twente, had just two real chances during the game, both saved brilliantly by Artur, and a late goal five minutes from time, the useful John crossing for Bryan Ruiz to
head in. It was much too little, much too late against what was on the night an impressive Benfica side in all departments.
Benfica: Artur, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Alex Witsel,
Gaitán (Bruno César 74), Aimar, Nolito (Matic 74), Cardozo (Saviola 84).
Twente: Nikolay Mihaylov, Tim Cornelisse, Douglas, Peter Wisgerhof, Dwight Tiendalli, de Jong, Brama (Denny Landzaat 76), Janssen
(Emir Bajrmi 59), Bryan Ruiz, Marc Janko, Steven Barghuis (Ola John 59).
* Benfica join FC Porto in the last 32 at the group stage. Both clubs earn an automatic 7.2 million euros before another ball is kicked.
* quote of the day
"We didn't lose to just any team." Twente coach Co Adriaanse after his side go down 3-1 at Benfica.
24/08/11
* Benfica's Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda, 27, has signed a three-year deal with Granada, newly promoted to the Spanish top flight. Yebda joins Carlos Martins and Júlio César, on
loan from Benfica, and Jorge Ribeiro, who has terminated his contract with the Lisbon club.
* Australian left back Jason has terminated his contract with Paços de Ferreira.
* Central defender Bura has signed for Beira-Mar on a two-year deal from Paços de Ferreira.
* Fewer than 40% of the players used in the first two jornadas of the league are Portuguese. The biggest 'culprit' is Benfica
with just one, Rúben Amorim. A total of 258 jogadores have been in action, but only 103 of those could play for Portugal. Only six clubs have had a majority of Portuguese players. (Académica, Beira-Mar, Feirense, Olhanense, Rio Ave and Vitória de Setúbal):
Beira-Mar (11 Portuguese players used from 16)
Feirense (11/17)
Académica (9/15)
Vitória de Setúbal (9/15)
Olhanense (9/17)
Rio Ave (9/17)
Gil Vicente (7/15)
Paços de Ferreira (7/17)
Sporting Braga (6/17)
Sporting (6/17)
Vitória de Guimarães (5/14)
F.C. Porto (4/16)
União de Leiria (4/16)
Nacional (3/14)
Marítimo (2/17)
Benfica (1/18)
(Source: Maisfutebol)
* quote of the day
"In 1987, I had a feeling we weren't going to stop there." FC Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa reminisces about the European Cup win over Bayern Munich.
23/08/11
* Olhanense and Vitória de Setúbal shared the points in an eventful 2-2 draw in the Algarve (goals). Vitória were two-up in the first half: on 18 minutes, Neca scored from the spot, and on 28
Pitbull delivered a cross-cum-shot from the left that was diverted into the goal by João Silva. Then on 44 minutes, Vitória midfielder José Pedro saw a straight red for a foul on Dady; the dismissal proved decisive.
Five minutes into the second half, Wilson Eduardo pulled one back for Olhanense, and ten minutes later, Cauê headed in a free-kick to equalise. Olhanense hit the same post twice in the space of two minutes but
that's the nearest they got to taking all three points. They have two points from their two games, Vitória four.
Olhanense:
Fabiano Freitas, Jorge Gonçalves, Maurício (Djalmir 76), Mexer, Ismaily, Fernando Alexandre, Cauê, Nuno Piloto (Salvador Agra 34), Rui Duarte, Wilson Eduardo (Figueroa 76), Dady.
Vitória de Setúbal:
Diego, Ney, Thiago Veras, Anderson do Ó, Miguelito, Hugo Leal, Neca, Zé Pedro, Jorge Gonçalves (Bruno Severino 79), João Silva (Igor 79), Pitbull (Bruno Amaro 46).
* Sporting Braga have signed giant Brazilian central defender Douglão, 25, from Greek club Kavala.
* Olhanense have signed midfielders Paulo Regula and Jander from Vitória de Setúbal and Brazilian club Juventude, respectively.
* Around 3,000 people were at Portela airport in Lisbon to welcome home the U-20 squad who were runners-up at the World Cup in Colombia. "We feel we did our duty," said coach Ilídio Vale.
* The referees have asked the Liga to intercede and get Sporting to retract the criticism the club has made in the last week about Portuguese refereeing. "We cannot tolerate pressure. The referees have shown that they're united and we ask the league to ensure that they have conditions to do what they love, which is referee games," said Luís Guilherme, president of the Portuguese Association of Football Referees (APAF) after a meeting held in Leiria involving 50 referees and assistants. They will wait until the weekend to decide whether to continue the
boycott of Sporting's games; referee João Ferreira refused to officiate the club's match at Beira-Mar at the weekend.
* quotes of the day
"I was treated like a dog at Benfica." Ivory Coast defender Marc Zoro.
"On a normal day we'd have scored five." Olhanense coach Daúto Faquirá after his side draw 2-2 with Vitória de Setúbal.
"They didn't let us take the three points." Vitória's assistant coach Conhé criticises the match officials after the same game.
"Strange things happened." Vitória de Setúbal coach Bruno Ribeiro.
"It's important that Portuguese clubs invest in us. We're just as good or better than foreign players." Nélson Oliveira, voted second best player at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
22/08/11
* Sporting drew 0-0 for the second week in a row, this time at Beira-Mar (
highlights). The game was shrouded in controversy following referee João Ferreira's refusal to officiate the game due to Sporting's questioning of refereeing standards. It was left to one Fenando Martins,
pulled from the district leagues, to do the honours, which he performed well. Sporting can only blame their toothless attack for failing to win here. In the first half, they did not have a single shot on target, and
in the second they were guilty of some terrible misses, most notably through Diego Capel, who had the goal at his mercy but allowed the Beira-Mar defence to clear on the line. Sporting coach Domingos Paciência made
two substitutions on 35 minutes, bringing Matías Fernandez and Yannick Djaló off, then centre back Rodriguez was injured just before the break, leaving the side hamstrung for the second half.
Beira-Mar:
Rui Rego, Pedro Moreira, Yohan, Hugo, André Marques, Rui Sampaio, Nuno Coelho, Artur (Dominic 85), Nildo, Cristiano (Joãozinho 62), Zhang (Balboa 79).
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Polga, Rodriguez (Carriço 46), Evaldo, Rinaudo, Yannick Djaló (Izmailov 36), Schaars, Matias Fernandes (Hélder Postiga 36), Capel, Van Wolswinkel.
Unlikely leaders of the Liga are Académica, who notched up their second win, this time 1-0 at home to Rio Ave (goal). Éder met a Diogo Valente cross from the left on 17 minutes, and that goal proved enough.
Académica: Peiser, João Dias, Berger, Abdoulaye, Hélder Cabral, Habib, Adrien (Flávio 81), Diogo Valente (Marinho 64), Sissoko (Rui Miguel 73), Danilo, Éder.
Rio Ave:
Paulo Santos, Zé Gomes, Gaspar (Éder Monteiro 37), Jeferson, Tiago Pinto, Vitor Gomes, Wires, Saulo, Braga (Dinei 82), Pateiro (Kelvin 46), João Tomás.
* Sporting Braga beat Marítimo 2-0 at home (goals). The first half ended
even, but two minutes into the second, Elderson dived to head in an Alan free-kick from deep on the right. It was from a free-kick again that Braga got their second on the hour. Lima, who looks to be on his way out
of the club, shot from 25 metres, the ball hit a post, rebounded and went in off the back of Marítimo 'keeper Peçanha.
Sporting Braga:
Quim, Baiano, Paulo Vinícius, Ewerton, Elderson (Nuno André Coelho 73), Djamal, Salino, Mossoró (Hugo Viana 67), Pizzi (Nuno Gomes 89), Alan, Lima.
Marítimo:
Peçanha, Briguel, Robson, Roberge, Ruben Ferreira, Roberto Sousa, Rafael Miranda (Olberdam 83), Danilo Dias (Edi 84), Heldon (Ibrahim 67), Sami, Baba.
* Paços de Ferreira beat União de Leiria 2-1 (goals), União's second
defeat. It was a bad-tempered game marked by 14 yellow cards and two reds (!), Ozéia for Paços at the end of the first half and Jô for União on 52 minutes. The game was settled in the last 20 minutes: Melgarejo put
Paços in front on 70 minutes and Mitchel made it two a couple of minutes from the end. former Paços favourite Maykon pulled one back for Leiria in added time with a goal direct from a corner. The last few minutes
were played out in dim natural light after a power cut.
Paços de Ferreira: António Filipe, Marcelo Tchê (Backar 68), Ozéia, Filipe Anunciação, Nuno Santos, André Leão, Luiz Carlos, Vítor (Eridson 46),
Manuel José (Melgarejo 65), Luisinho, Michel.
União de Leiria: Luiz Carlos, Ivo Pinto, Diego Gaúcho, Edson, Maykon, Manuel Curto (Luís Leal 75), André Almeida, Tiago Terroso (Patrick 32), Djaniny, Jô,
Elvis (Marcos Paulo 59).
* quotes of the day
"Nothing will make us retreat or shut up." Sporting director Carlo Freitas responds to criticism of the club's stand against the quality/impartiality of refereeing in Portugal.
"We gave them a 45-minute head start." Sporting coach Domingos Paciência after the 0-0 draw at Beira-Mar.
"It was a shame we couldn't make more substitutions." Domingos, dissatisfied with his team's performance.
21/08/11
* Portugal lost the Final of the U-20 World Cup 2-3 to Brazil in Bogotá early on Sunday morning, Portuguese time (goals). They were 0-1 down on five minutes, an Óscar free kick from 35 metres headed into his own
goal by Sérgio Oliveira, but came back four minutes later, Nélson Oliveira making the line on the right and cutting the ball back for Alex to tap in from close range. On the hour, it was Nélson Oiveira himself who
broke down the right and shot in from a narrow angle. Portugal had the best defence in the tournament coming into the game, but two mistakes by the normally reliable Mika lost them the game. Twelve minutes from the
end, Dudu crossed from the left and Mika could only push the ball out to Óscar who scored from five metres. the game went into extra time, and Portugal had a superb chance to take the lead again when sub Caetano was
put through, but his attempt to chip Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel was weak and low, and the chance was gone. Eight minutes from the end of extra time, that man again, Óscar, sent over a cross-cum-shot that Mika
misjudged and it sailed into the goal.
Brazil Gabriel, Danilo, Bruno Uvini, Juan Jesus, Gabriel Silva (Allan 46), Fernando, Casemiro, Willian (Negueba 46), Óscar, Coutinho (Dudu 62), Henrique.
Portugal Mika, Cédric (Júlio Alves 57), Nuno Reis, Roderick, Mário Rui, Danilo, Pelé, Saná (Dias 100), Sérgio Oliveira, Alex (Caetano 82), Nélson Oliveira.
* Mexico came third after beating France 3-1.
* Benfica won for the first time in the Liga, beating Feirense 3-1 (goals
) in front of 35,856 at the Luz, but the scoreline belied the difficulty Benfica had in finishing off the newly-promoted side. Nolito scored on 14 minutes to put Benfica in the lead; it was his fifth goal in
five consecutive official games, equalling Eusébio's record. Feirense were a different side in the second half, causing Benfica many more problems, notably through the excellent Ludovic, and they drew level on 53
minutes with a goal from Rabiola. But on 75 minutes, Maxi Pereira went on a typical run down the right, made the line and crossed to give Óscar Cadrozo the simplest of chances. Feirense had chances to score again,
but it was sub Bruno César who did in added time, beating three before shooting from the edge of the box.
Benfica: Artur, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Capdevila, Javi Garcia, Gaitán (Witsel 60), Aimar
(Bruno César 77), Nolito (Enzo Pérez 83), Saviola, Cardozo.
Feirense: Paulo Lopes, Pedro Queirós, Fernando Varela, Luciano, Serginho (Stopira 80), Sténio Santos, Siaka Bamba (Mika 73), Diogo Cunha, Diogo
Rosado, Ludovic, Rabiola (Jonathan 70).
* quotes of the day
"The fans have to like the players we have." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus defends Paraguayan striker Óscar Cardozo from benfiquista whistling.
"I'm not going to descend to that level." Jorge Jesus refuses to enter into a ping-pong match with FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira, who had criticised his Benfica counterpart's comments on refereeing
decisions in Porto's game against Vitória de Guimarães.
"Perhaps we deserved to win, but unfortunately, there's no such thing as a moral victory." Feirense coach Quim Machado after his team loses 1-3 at Benfica.
"Leaving Porto is not a step backwards." Rúben Micael, signed by Atlético Madrid but to be loaned to Zaragoza.
20/08/11
* FC Porto beat Gil Vicente 3-1 (goals) in front of 43,912 at the Dragão in Porto to open the 2nd jornada of the Liga.
Gil had snatched a point from Benfica last weekend and were off to a great start this. On four minutes, Sapunaru lost the ball, João Vilela was through and Otamendi had to foul him to stop him. Gil wanted a red
card, but Otamendi stayed on. João Vilela dusted himself off and put Gil in front from the spot. It took just seven minutes for Porto to react, Vilela now becoming the villain by bringing Hulk down in the box (a
foul contested by Gil). This time Hulk dusted himself off and scored from the spot. On 17 minutes, Sapanaru made up for his earlier mistake by heading Porto in front from a corner. While the difference was still
just one goal, Gil stood a chance, but five minutes into the second half, Hulk cracked in a free-kick from just outside the box, and the game was as good as over.
FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru, Otamendi,
Rolando, Fucile, Souza, Guarín (Belluschi 72), Moutinho, Hulk, Kléber (Walter 80), Varela (Djalma 72).
Gil Vicente:
Adriano, Éder, Sandro, Cláudio, Caiçara, João Vilela (Tó Barbosa 80) Luís Manuel (Richardson 52), André Cunha, Hugo Vieira, Luís Carlos (Pedro Moreira 66), Laionel.
* Referee João Ferreira has refused to officiate the Beira-Mar v Sporting match this weekend citing pressure from Sporting in the media.
* Sporting Braga have signed two players on loan: Samson from Atlético Madrid and Carlão from Kashima Antlers. The latter made his name in Portugal with União de Leiria.
* quotes of the day
"I'm no thief and I've done nothing wrong." Ex-FC Porto striker Radamel Falcao, now of Atlético Madrid.
"FC Porto won with a very dubious goal from a penalty that, in my opinion, didn't exist." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus comments on Porto's win over Gil Vicente.
"Jorge Jesus is egocentric and only looks at his own belly-button." FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira responds to the Benfica coach.
"I'm not going to tolerate the lack of impartiality shown in Sporting's games." Sporting president Godinho Lopes.
19/08/11
* Sporting could only draw 0-0 with Nordsjaelland
on their travels to Denmark in the play-off for qualification to the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday. Postiga especially was wasteful in front of goal.
Nordsjaelland:
Jesper Hansen, Parkhurst, Kildentoft, Bjelland, Okore, Enoch Adu, Stokholm, Beckmann, Christense, Lawan (Andreas Laudrup 75), Granskov (Rodhe 82).
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Rodríguez, Polga, Evaldo, Rinaudo, André Santos (Matías Fernández 60), Schaars, Jeffren (Izmailov 46), Postiga (Rubio 68), Yannick.
* Nacional started at full gas against Birmingham
in Madeira, but they could not take advantage of their early pressure. Mateus was guilty of a missed opportunity in front of goal when the ball was taken off his foot, but after that opening, Birmingham settled and had the better of the play. They hit the woodwork through Caldwell and Wood, twice, but the game finished 0-0.
Nacional:
Elisson, Nuno Pinto, Danielson, Felipe Lopes, João Aurélio, Luís Alberto, Rene Mihelic (Diego Barcellos 46), Skolnik (Elizeu 46), Edgar Costa (Candeias 68), Mário Rondon, Mateus.
Birmingham:
Myhil, Carr, Davies, Cadwell, Ridgewell, Beausejour, Spector, Murphy, Burke, Wood, Redmond.
* Sporting Braga v Young Boys played out yet another goal-less draw in front of 12,458 at the AXA Stadium, although Braga forward Alan had a good chance in the second half stopped by Ivan Benito, while up the other end, Quim kept out an effort by Affolter. Young Boys' central defender Alain Nef was sent off on 71 minutes, but Braga could not take advantage of the numerical superiority.
Sporting de Braga: Quim, Baiano, Paulo Vinícius, Ewerton, Imourou (Elderson 23), Djamal, Hugo Viana, Salino, Mossoró (Hélder Barbosa 70), Alan, Nuno Gomes (Meyong 70).
Young Boys:
Ivan Benito, Zverotic, Alain Nef, Veskovac, Spycher, Silberbauer, Alex Farnerud (Doubai 58), Mário Raimondi (Mayuka 62), Raphael Nuzzolo, Khalifa, Henri Bienvenu (Affolter 78).
* A team that did capitalise on numerical superiority were Atlético Madrid in their game against Vitória de Guimarães. Vitória were not creating much danger, but they were keeping Atlético at
bay until the 64th minute when João Paulo lunged at Adrián López in midfield and was sent off. Paradoxically, immediately after that incident, Vitória came closest to scoring on a counter attack, Targino's shot coming back off a post. But then Vitória's world collapsed as sub Elías scored twice to leave the score at 2-0 and give Atlético a good chance to go through.
Atlético Madrid:
Joel, Sílvio, Perea, Dominguez, Filipe Luís, Mário Suarez (Juanfran 69), Gabi, Tiago, Salvio (Elias 65), Reyes, Adrián.
Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Alex, N'Diaye, João Paulo, Anderson, El Adoua, Pedro Mendes, Leonel Olímpio (João Alves 74) Paulo Sérgio (Faouzi 58), Barrientos (Targino 46), Toscano.
* FC Porto striker Radamel Falcao and midfielder Rúben Micael are set to join Atlético Madrid
for a total of 45 million euros (40 + 5), subject to medicals. Rúben Micael may be loaned out, possibly to Zaragoza.
* Also leaving the Dragão may be midfielder João Moutinho and Uruguayan full back Álvaro Pereira, who Chelsea
are prepared to pay 55 million for (30 + 25), according to the British press.
* Sporting's Montenegrin winger Simon Vukcevic looks to be on his way to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of between 2.5 and 3.5 million euros.
* In his ninth season at the club, Brazilian defender Luisão will play his 300th official game for Benfica
at the weekend against Feirense. He is the foreigner with most appearances in the club's history.
* Portugal will play Brazil in the U-20 World Cup Final, to be played in Bogotá, Colombia on Sunday morning at 02.00 (Portuguese time). Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in the semi-final. The
Final is a repeat of Lisbon 1991 which Portugal, including Luís Figo and Rui Costa, won on penalties.
* quotes of the day
"Bearing in mind what I have at my disposal at this stage, I'm satisfied." Vitória de Guimarães coach Manuel Machado after his side lost 0-2 at Atlético Madrid.
"We're going to the Dragão to play eye-to-eye." Gil Vicente coach Paulo Alves ahead of the game at FC Porto.
18/08/11
* After Riyadh in 198 and Lisbon in 1991, Portugal will be in the Final of the U-20 World Cup in Bogotá on Saturday. They beat France 2-0 (goals) in the semi-final in front of 40,598 at the Estádio Atanásio Girardot in Medellin, despite
having only 40% possession. But their defensive organisation was such that France rarely got near the goal, and when they did, there was always a lunging leg or body, or Mika's safe hands, to keep the sixth clean
sheet of the tournament; indeed, Portugal have conceded no goals whatsoever, although they have scored only five in open play.
The goals came in the first half. Danilo
headed in at the back post from a Mário Rui corner on the right on nine minutes, but the crucial second goal came five minutes before half time after Koulibaly brought Danilo down in the box, and Nélson Oliveira
smacked home the spot kick.
In the second half, Portugal were content to manage the lead, and France became increasingly frustrated and desperate as they continued to hit up against the brick wall that was
the Portuguese defence. France may have had the more talented players and more experience, but on the night, it was Portugal's superior organisation and spirit that won the day and a chance at glory.
Portugal
: Mika, Nuno Reis, Roderick, Cedric, Mário Rui, Pelé, Júlio Alves, Danilo, Sergio Oliveira (Tiago Ferreira 89), Nelson Oliveira (Rafael Lopes 74), Alex (Luís Martins 69).
France: Ligali, Nego,
Fontaine, Koulibaly, Kolodziejcaz (Lejeune 73), Grenier, Fofana, Coquelin, Sunu (Kaluta 61), Griezmann, Bakambu (Lacazette 52).
Portugal will play either Brazil or Mexico in the Final; if it's against Brazil, it will be a repeat of the 1991 Final at Benfica's Luz Stadium in Lisbon.
The road to the Final
Group B
v Uruguay, 0-0
v Cameroon, 1-0
v New Zealand, 1-0
Last 16
v Guatemala, 1-0
Quarter-final
v Argentina, 0-0 (5-4 on penalties)
Semi-final
v France, 2-0
* Benfica goalkeeper Júlio César has moved to Spanish club Granada
on loan, joining his ex-team-mates Carlos Martins (loan) and Maniche's brother Jorge Ribeiro (definitive). Benfica have also loaned Nuno Coelho, signed from Académica, to Beira-Mar.
* Senegalese winger Christian Atsu, 19, has joined Rio Ave on loan from FC Porto.
* Vitória de Guimarães have loaned Brazilian striker William to Paços de Ferreira, where he served from 2007 to 2010.
* quote of the day
"This is the courageous generation." Coach Ilídio Vale compares the U-20 squad that is through to the World Cup Final with their 'golden' predecessors.
17/08/11
* Benfica drew 2-2 (goals) with Twente
in Holland on Tuesday in the first leg of the play-off for access to the group stage of the competition. The Portuguese team started strongly but were behind against the run of play on six minutes, Luuk de Jong given time and space to take aim and fire home from 25 metres. On 21, Cardozo was given a similar opportunity and curled his shot in, also from 25 metres. On 35, Benfica were in front with a superb one-touch team effort that finished with Witsel unselfishly squaring the ball for Nolito to knock into an empty net. The adverse scoreline drew Twente out and gave Benfica the space and several opportunities to extend their lead, but they lacked incisiveness in the last third. At the other end, Artur was performing minor miracles to keep Twente out, and keep them out he did until the 80th minute when Bryan Ruíz rose at the back post and appeared to lean on Emerson before heading in. The two away goals will be valuable for the return to the Luz, but Benfica might have brought an even better result back from Enschede.
Twente: Mihaylov, Cornelisse, Wisgerhof, Douglas, Tiendalli (Buysse 75), Landzaat (Janko 46), Brama, Janssen, Ruiz, De Jong, Bajrami (Ola John 58).
Benfica:
Artur Moraes, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Witsel, Gaitán (Ruben Amorim 56), Aimar (Saviola 64), Nolito, Cardozo.
* FC Porto have confirmed the signing of French central defender Eliaquim Mangala (6.5 million euros) and Belgian midfielder Steven Defour
(6 million), both from standard Liège and both on 5-year contracts.
* FC Porto midfielder André Castro has been loaned to Sporting Gijon
for a season. Castro was on loan at the Spanish club for the second half of last season. He was called up to the Portugal Senior squad recently for the friendly against Luxembourg.
* Former Portugal international 'keeper Ricardo has joined Vitória de Setúbal on a one-year contract. "Vitória were always my first choice, despite receiving other invitations", he said.
* Académica have signed Cape-Verdean left back Nivaldo, 23, on a three-year contract.
* Gil Vicente won 1-0 in the official presentation of Limianos, new signing André Nunes the first-half scorer. The game was halted on 75 minutes due to a power cut, and then abandoned.
* Portugal's last Euro 2012 group game at home, against Iceland on 7 October, will be played at FC Porto's Dragão
stadium. Before that, Portugal have to travel to Cyprus on 2 September. The final group game is in Denmark on 11 October.
* quotes of the day
"Cardozo is goals." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus after the Champions League draw with Twente (2-2) in which the Paraguayan striker scored a belter.
"No one wins or loses on their own." Modest Benfica goalkeeper Artur after his fantastic display in the same game.
"Benfica is an enormous step in my career" Argentinian central defender Ezéquiel Garay.
"The third Golden Generation of Portuguese football is on its way." U-20 international striker Nélson Oliveira.
"We're clearly candidates for 4th spot in the league." Nacional president Rui Alves.
16/08/11
* Former FC Porto captain Pedro Emanuel got off to a great start as coach of Académica as his side beat União de Leiria 1-2 (goals) on Monday, closing the first jornada of the Liga. Hélder Cabral fouled Jô in
the area on 24 minutes, Bruno Morães converting for União. And it stayed 1-0 until the last quarter of an hour. Danilo fired in from the edge of the box to equalise, and ten minutes from time, Marinho stole the ball
from Hugo Alcântara, it fell to Éder and the tall striker forced the ball in.
* FC Porto have informed the Portuguese Stock Exchange that they have an agreement in principle to buy the passes of Standard Liège players Steven Defour and Mangala. The
Belgian press is talking of a total fee of 13 million euros for the two.
* Equatorial Guinean forward Javier Balboa has terminated his contract with Benfica and is set to join Beira-Mar. Balboa joined Benfica from Real Madrid for four million euros when
Quique Flores was coach at the Luz, but he has never established himself in the first team.
* quote of the day
"União de Leiria are going to surprise a lot of people." União's Brazilian forward Jô, after his side lost 1-2 at home to Académica.
15/08/11
* After defeating them in last weekend's SuperTaça (and last season's Taça de Portugal) FC Porto made it a hat-trick by beating Vitória de Guimarães 1-0
on Sunday in the opening game of their defence of the title (highlights). The scrappy match,
played on an atrocious Guimarães pitch that cut up very badly, was decided just before the break. Leonel Olímpio was adjudged to have fouled Kléber in the box and Hulk scored from the spot; although Nilson got to
the ball and pushed it against the post, it span along the line and in.
Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Alex, NDiaye, João Paulo, Anderson Santana, Leonel Olímpio (João Alves 66), El Adoua, Faouzi (Saucedo 66), Barrientos, Targino (Paulo Sérgio 66), Toscano.
FC Porto:
Helton, Sapunaru, Otamendi, Rolando, Fucile, Souza, Moutinho, Guarín (Ruben Micael 62), Hulk, Kléber (Falcao 68), Varela (Belluschi 74).
* The only other Liga club to win so far was Vitória de Setúbal, 2-1 at home to Paços de Ferreira (goals). Luizinho put Paços in front coming up to half time, capitalising on an Anderson do Ô
mistake, but the defender redeemed himself with the equaliser on 53 minutes. A minute later, Paços were reduced to ten men when Cohene was sent off for a second yellow. The visitors resisted the mounting Vitória
pressure until added time when João Silva headed home a Pitbull cross.
* Newly-promoted Feirense hosted Nacional in the Estadio de Aveiro (normal home of Beira-Mar) because their stadium is being upgraded; it ended 0-0 (highlights). Carlos Fonseca of Feirense was sent off on the hour.
* Coincidentally, Beira-Mar travelled to Madeira to meet Nacional's neighbours, Marítimo, and the game also ended 0-0, Beira-Mar's 'keeper Rui Rego proving to be man-of-the-match (highlights).
* FC Porto striker Radamel Falcao
has admitted that he wants to leave the club. After the 1-0 win at Vitória de Guimarães, where he came on as sub and later missed a sitter, he said: "All players think about playing in the most important leagues, lke the Spanish, Italian or English ones. Anyone who says differently is lying. [...] Atlético de Madrid [who have shown an interest in the Colombian striker] have great fans and it would be a great opportunity for my career. [...] It's the right moment to go elsewhere."
* Gil Vicente have signed Brazilian central defender Halisson, 26, from Santo André on a three-year deal.
* France beat Nigeria 3-2 after extra time and will meet Portugal in the semi-finals of the U-20 World Cup in Colombia, to be played on Wednesday.
* quote of the day
"I ask all participants, and I mean all, to be more serious." Vitória de Guimarães coach Manuel Machado takes an early dig at referees after his side lose to a Porto penalty.
14/08/11
* Sporting copied their Lisbon rivals Benfica by dropping points at home in their first game of the season. They dominated Olhanense
for most of the match in front of 33,248 at Alvalade XXI but could manage no more than a 1-1 draw (
goals). They were behind on the half hour, Wilson Eduardo, who Sporting had loaned to the Algarve club, unleashing a swinging shot from 25 metres. In the second half, Postiga had the ball in the net but
was ruled (wrongly) offside, and it was left to Russian sub Izmailov to equalise: his shot from ten metres was blocked by Fabiano but he had the presence of mind to be first to the rebound and tuck it in.
Sporting: Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Anderson Polga, Rodríguez, Evaldo, Rinaudo, André Santos (Izmailov 46), Schaars, Jeffrén (Diego Rubio 55), Hélder Postiga, Yannick (Diego Capel 63).
Olhanense:
Fabiano Freitas, João Gonçalves, Maurício, Mexer, Ismaily (André Micael 86), Fernando Alexandre, Nuno Piloto, Cauê, Ivanildo (Salvador Agra 75), Dady, Wilson Eduardo (Vítor Vinha 63).
* Sporting Braga came up against a brick wall at Rio Ave and left empty-handed, 0-0 the final score (highlights). Rio Ave striker João Tomás, who criticised national team coach Paulo Bento after the
game for not selecting him, had a goal disallowed for a narrow off-side. Braga started with just two players from last season, Hugo Viana and Alan, while Rio Ave started with just one new signing, Pateiro.
Rio Ave Paulo Santos, Zé Gomes (Rafinha 80), Gaspar, Jeferson, Tiago Pinto, Wires, Vítor Gomes, Braga (Jorginho 65), Saulo, João Tomás, Pateiro (Tiago Costa 59).
Sp. Braga
Quim, Baiano, Paulo Vinicius, Ewerton, Imorou, Djamal, Pizzi (Hélder Barbosa 85), Hugo Viana, Alan, Nuno Gomes (Mossoró 65), Lima (Meyong 75).
* Portugal beat Argentina on penalties in the U-20 World Cup in Colombia to go through to the semi-finals, where they will meet France or Nigeria. The game finished
0-0 after extra time, and so it went to penalties where Portugal trailed 1-3 at one point but recovered to take it to sudden death, where a save by 'keeper Mika
from Tagliafico gave Portugal the chance to dream; Portugal won the World Cup at this level in 1989 (Riyadh) and 1991 (Lisbon), with players like Figo, Rui Costa, João Pinto and Vítor Baía in the sides.
Portugal: Mika, Cedric, Nuno Reis, Roderick, Luis Martins (Tiago Ferreira 120), Danilo, Pele, Júlio Alves (Saná 69), Sérgio Oliveira, Caetano (Rafael Lopes 94), Nelson Oliveira.
Argentina:
Andrada, Nervo, Gonzalez Pirez, Galeano, Tagliafico, Roberto Pereyra (Vuletich 98), Battaglia, Laba, Luque (Ruiz 81), Lamela, Facundo Ferreyra (Iturbe 60).
Penalties
Portugal 1-0, Nuno Reis
Argentina 1-1, Lamela
P 1-1, Danilo (saved)
A 1-2, Iturbe
P 1-2, Roderick (saved)
A1-3, Nervo
P 2-3, Rafael Lopes
A 2-3, Gonzalez Pirez (saved)
P 3-3, Nelson Oliveira
A 3-3, Ruiz (missed)
P 4-3, Tiago Ferreira
A 4-4, Vuletich
P 5-4, Sérgio Oliveira
A 5-4, Tagliafico (saved)
* According to national daily Correio da Manhã, Benfica
will be willing to renew their sponsorship contract with Portugal Telecom … if the latter drops its sponsorship of rivals FC Porto and Sporting.
Cristiano Ronaldo
is the most popular sportsperson on earth, if numbers of followers on Facebook (32,419,832) and Twitter (3,732,059) are anything to go by. He also tops the viewings list on YouTube (4,692,607). In general he is 13th in the word on a list headed by Lady Gaga.
Benfica is the most popular Portuguese club, with 749,658 followers on Facebook. [A Bola]
* quotes of the day
"The victory was down to belief." Portugal coach Ilídio Vale after knocking out Argentina in the U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
"The goal fell from heaven." Olhanense coach Daúto Faquirá, whose side drew 1-1 at Sporting.
"[National team coach Paulo Bento] showed a lack of courage in not calling up the best Portuguese striker." Rio Ave striker João Tomás, top Portuguese scorer in the Liga last season with 15 goals, on being left out of the squad for Portugal's midweek game against Luxembourg.
* Pre-season games (source: Maisfutebol):
06/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Brasov, 4-0
FC Porto-Tourizense, 7-0
09/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Penafiel, 3-0
Beira-Mar-Brasov, 1-0
Freamunde-Sporting Braga, 1-2
Freiburg-Benfica, 1-9
Rio Ave-Players' Union, 3-0
10/07
FC Gutersloh-FC Porto, 1-10
Servette-Benfica, 1-1
11/07
Olhanense-Crawley Town, 2-1
Sporting Braga-Brasov, 2-0
Dijon-Benfica, 2-1
13/07
Vitória de Guimarães -Beira-Mar, 4-1
Arouca-Feirense, 1-1
Sporting-FC Presikhaaf, 8-0
Desportivo das Aves-Rio Ave, 2-0
Vitória de Setúbal-Iberos CF, 7-1
14/07
Belenenses-U. Leiria, 0-0
Seia-Paços de Ferreira, 0-8
15/07
Gil Vicente-Moreirense, 0-0 (3-4, pens)
Benfica-PSG (Guadiana Tournament), 3-1
Vitória de Guimarães-Rio Ave, 0-1
16/07
Paços de Ferreira-Guarda, 8-0
Académica-Tourizense, 2-0
Telstar-Sporting, 0-3
Borussia Mönchengladbach-FC Porto, 0-0
Arouca-Beira-Mar, 1-0
Leixões-Sporting Braga, 2-2
Feirense-Santa Clara, 0-2
Vitória de Setúbal-Celta B, 2-1
Freamunde-Gil Vicente, 1-1 (1-3 pens)
17/07
Benfica-Anderlecht (Guadiana Tournament), 2-2
F.C. Porto-SC Verl, 3-1
18/07
Sporting-Ankaraguçu, 3-0
19/07
Sporting Braga-Moreirense, 4-1
20/07
Benfica-Toulouse, 1-0
Desportivo das Aves-Vitória de Guimarães, 1-0
Leixões-Feirense, 1-0
Santa Clara-Beira-Mar, 0-1
Oliveirense-Gil Vicente, 0-1
Belenenses-Olhanense, 1-0
Naval-União de Leiria, 0-1
Sporting de Covilhã-Vitória de Setúbal, 0-0
Académica-Arouca, 2-3
Paços de Ferreira-Players' Union, 5-1
21/07
Rio Ave-FC Porto, 1-3
22/07
Celta Vigo-Sporting Braga, 2-1
Académica-Santa Clara, 0-2
23/07
Moreirense-Paços Ferreira, 2-0
Naval-Beira-Mar, 0-0
Sporting de Covilhã-Gil Vicente, 0-1
Penafiel-Rio Ave, 2-0
Sporting Braga-Desportivo das Aves, 2-0
Oliveira do Hospital-União de Leiria, 1-8
Olhanense-Brighton, 2-1
Belenenses-Atlético, 2-2
Académica-Vitória de Guimarães, 1-1
Leixões-Marítimo, 1-2 (abandoned)
Juventus-Sporting, 1-2
24/07
Feirense-Marítimo, 0-0
FC Porto-Peñarol, 3-0
Vitória de Guimarães-Santa Clara, 0-3
26/07
Rio Ave-Marítimo, 0-0
Gil Vicente-Sporting Braga, 0-3
27/07
Atlético-Vitória de Setúbal, 3-1
Penafiel-Paços Ferreira, 1-2
Beira-Mar-Académica, 0-3
Oliveirense-União de Leiria, 2-0
28/07
Feirense-Marítimo,0-2
30/07
Gil Vicente-Tirsense, 4-0
Paços Ferreira-Marítimo, 2-1
Beira-Mar-Celta de Vigo, 0-0
Olhanense-Vitória de Setúbal, 1-1
Académica-Feirense, 4-2
Sporting-Valência, 0-3
31/07
Vitória de Guimarães-Marítimo, 1-1
Lyon-FC Porto, 2-1
União de Leiria-Olhanense, 0-0
03/08
Sporting Braga-Trofense, 4-0
Varzim-Gil Vicente, 0-0
Oliveirense-Paços Ferreira, 0-1
Feirense-Rio Ave, 0-0
Académica-Beira-Mar, 1-1
União de Leiria-Sertanense, 7-0
04/08
Ayamonte-Olhanense, 0-6
05/08
Paços de Ferreira-Sporting Gijón, 3-0
Vitória de Setúbal-Académica, 1-0
Sporting-Málaga, 1-3 (Ramón Carranza Trophy)
06/08
Benfica-Arsenal, 2-1
Sporting Braga-Aston Villa, 1-1
Feirense-Tirsense, 1-0
Rio Ave-Gil Vicente, 0-0
Sporting 2-2 Udinese (9-10 pens) (Ramón Carranza Trophy)
07/08
Farense 3-2 Olhanense
09/08
Olímpico de Montijo 2-5 Vitória de Setúbal
Dia 10
Desportivo de Chaves-Vitória de Guimarães, 1-1
13/08/11
* Benfica have not won their opening league game since 2004/05, and this time they opened with a 2-2 draw (goals) in front of a full-house 12,000 at newly promoted Gil Vicente. Benfica were 2-0 up
within 20 minutes. On seven, Rúben Amorim, Benfica's token Portuguese player, found Nolito on the left (in what looked like an offside position), and the Spanish forward cut inside and side-footed past Adriano. On
20, Jara made the line on the right and cut the ball back low for Saviola to knock in. It seemed that Gil might fold, although they had had most of the play up to that point, but they got a vital goal before
half-time, Hugo Vieira cracking the ball in from an acute angle at the back post after Rúben Amorim had failed to cut out a cross from the right. In the second half, it was ironically Benfica that had most of the
play but Gil who were more pragmatic, and 15 minutes from time, in a moment of inspiration, Laionel sent a shot dipping over Artur from 25 metres out to equalise. The Brazilian forward had scored in the first game
last year for Académica against … Benfica.
The teams line up:
Gil Vicente:
Adriano Facchini, Éder Sciola, Sandro, Cláudio, Caiçara, Luís Manuel, André Cunha, João Vilela, Laionel (Pedro Moreira 83) Hugo Vieira (Paulão 90), Luís Carlos (Tó Barbosa 68).
Benfica:
Artur Moraes, Ruben Amorim, Jardel, Garay, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Gaitán (Enzo Pérez 60), Aimar (Witsel 46), Nolito, Saviola, Jara.
* Portuguese international midfielder Carlos Martins, 29, has been loaned by Benfica to Spanish club Granada, who will pay all of his salaries in the deal. He is contracted to Benfica
until 2013. Martins has already played in Spain, for Recreativo de Huelva.
* American international forward Freddy Adu has terminated his contract with Benfica and returned to his country to represent Philadelphia Union. Adu arrived at Benfica in 2007 but
never established himself at the club and was loaned out in subsequent seasons to Mónaco, Belenenses, Aris Salonika and Rizespor of Turkey.
* Cameroonian forward Serge Ngal, 25, has terminated his contract with União de Leiria citing personal problems.
* Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes
was involved in a car accident outside Madrid on Thursday night. The car, driven by one of Cristiano Ronaldo's brothers-in-law, flipped on a curve. Mendes received treatment in hospital but was released. The brother-in-law, Edgar Caires, and the partner of Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, José Andrade, were hospitalised with fractures.
* quotes of the day
"We want to be champions." Benfica's Rúben Amorim after Benfica's opening game of the Liga, a 2-2 draw at Gil Vicente.
"It was a draw that tasted of defeat." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
"We've got the whole championship ahead of us." Benfica's Javier Saviola.
"With the renewal of the squad, it's natural that Sporting are going to experience some difficulties." Sporting coach Domingos Paciência.
"We ask our fans for a bit of support and a bit of time." Sporting director Luís Duque.
"Are we favourites for the title? I accept that people put us in that position, but we'll have to be stronger than last season." FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira.
11/08/11
* Portugal beat Luxembourg 5-0 (goals) in front of 21,283 at the Estádio
do Algarve on Wednesday in a friendly to prepare for the Euro 2012 qualifying game against Cyprus on 2 September. Portugal took eight minutes to put in a shot, Danny's effort from just outside the box drifting wide,
and it wasn't until 26 minutes in that Postiga opened the scoring. Four more were added by Cristiano Ronaldo (44), Fábio Coentrão (47), and Hugo Almeida (59 and 73). Almeida's first goal was a stunning snap shot
from 25 metres that dipped and swerved low past Joubert's left hand. Portugal's second half, with the team looking looser, was more accomplished than the first, in which Luxembourg defended well and Portugal
struggled to get a rhythm going.
The teams lined up:
Portugal:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira (Sílvio 65), Pepe (Ricardo Carvalho 46), Bruno Alves, Fábio Coentrão, André Santos, João Moutinho (Raul Meireles 46), Ruben Micael, Danny (Silvestre Varela 58) Hélder Postiga (Hugo Almeida 46), Cristiano Ronaldo (Nani 46).
Luxembourg: Joubert, Schnell, Blaise, Hoffmann, Mutsch, Payal, Peters (Joel Pedro 70), Bettmer, Da Mota (Kitenga 58), Laterza (Janisch 79), Leweck (Gerson 53).
* Vitória de Guimarães drew 1-1 at Desportivo de Chaves
in the presentation of the latter's squad to their fans. Gustavo scored from the spot to give Chaves the lead on 25 minutes, and Tony equalised, also from the spot, five minutes from time.
* FC Porto's Brazilian forward Kelvin, 18, who cost 2.5 million euros from Paraná, will be loaned to Rio Ave for a season.
* Forward Bebé of Besiktas will be out of action for six months with a knee injury sustained in Tuesday's Portugal U-21 friendly against Slovakia, which was drawn 1-1.
* quote of the day
"It's always the same old story!" An exasperated Hugo Almeida, the Besiktas striker, again denies any contact from Benfica.
10/08/11
* Portugal U-20s have qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Colombia after beating Guatemala 1-0 with a penalty by Nélson Oliveira on seven minutes (goal). Although they had 60% possession, Portugal put in a pale display and almost paid the price
for not killing off Guatemala, who came close on several occasions with long shots and hit the post in the dying minutes through a Kevin Morales free kick from 35 metres. Portugal, who have scored just three goals
in four matches, will have to raise their game in the quarters against an Argentina side that beat Egypt 2-1.
Portugal lined up:
Mika, Cédric, Nuno Reis, Tiago Ferreira, Mário Rui, Danilo, Dias
(Pelé 46), Sérgio Oliveira, Caetano (Roderick 90), Alex (Rafael Lopes 86), Nélson Oliveira.
* Portugal U-21s drew 1-1 (goals) with Slovakia
in Estoril in a game to prepare for the Euro 2013 qualifying meeting with Moldova on 1 September. Simonek took advantage of a mistake by Central defender Pedro Mendes early in the second half to put Slovakia in front, with Rui Fonte equalising on 64 minutes from a Josué free kick. Besiktas forward
Bebé, on as sub, suffered a bad knee injury in the second half.
The teams lined up:
Portugal:
Anthony Lopes (Cristiano 63), Dani (Ivo Pinto 78), Pedro Mendes (Vítor Bastos 78), João Pereira, Rúben (André Pires 64), André Almeida, André Martins, Diogo Rosado (Ricardo Martins 64), Josué (Leandro Pimenta 78), Wilson Eduardo (Bebé 46, Abel Camará 58), Rui Fonte.
Slovakia: Pavol Bajza (Matej Rakovan 38), Lukas Pauschek (Marek Hlinka 75), Lukas Stetina, Marian Kolmokov, Matus Conka, Juraj Vavrik (Peter Mazan 75), Jan Gregus (Robert Pillar 88), Robert Valenta
(Kristian Kolcak 75), Samuel Stefanik (Milan Ferencik 64), Milan Lalkovic (Akos Szarka 64), Arnold Simonek.
* Vitória de Setúbal won their last pre-season friendly, beating Olímpico do Montijo of the third division (fourth tier) 5-2. Henrique, Ricardo Silva, Jorge Gonçalves, Bruno Severino
and João Silva got the Vitória goals.
* quote of the day
"It's wrong to say that we're going to be champions this year." Optimistic Sporting president Godinho Lopes.
09/08/11
* International referee Pedro Proença, who officiated the Supertaça between FC Porto and Vitória de Guimarães on Sunday, was assaulted
on Monday. He was settling down to have dinner in the Colombo shopping centre in Lisbon, opposite Benfica's Luz stadium, when he was head-butted by a man who was later identified by the police. Proença will press charges and the man could face up to three years in prison.
* Luxembourg, who play Portugal
on Wednesday in a friendly, had their hotel rooms burgled while training in Almansil, Algarve on Monday. The thieves got away with mobile phones, computers, valuables and money.
* Pope Bento XVI's upcoming visit to Madrid will put back kick-off of the Europa League play-off first leg between Atlético and Vitória de Guimarães, scheduled for 18 August. The game
will now start at 10 pm.
* Vitória Setúbal forward Miguel Fidalgo will have to undergo an operation on his left knee and will be out of action for six months.
* quotes of the day
"It's wrong to say that we're going to be champions this year." Optimistic Sporting president Godinho Lopes.
"People know what they can and can't do. This country has laws and anyway, we should respect others, not only in sport but in life." The assault on referee Pedro Proença as seen by João Pinto, who should
know about these things.
08/08/11
* FC Porto won this year's Supertaça (league versus cup winners … or in this case, beaten finalists) with a 2-1 (goals) win over Vitória de Guimarães, who they had met in last season's Cup Final. It was
FC Porto's 18th Supertaça, and their sixth in the last seven seasons. A crowd of 18,313 at the Aveiro Municipal Stadium watched Porto take the lead on just three minutes, Ruben Micael feeding Hulk
on the right, whose letra cross (hooking his left leg around the back of his standing leg, the right) was met by the head of centre-back Rolando at the back post. It seemed that the goal might open the flood gates for a big Porto win, but Vitória settled quickly and were level on the half hour through Toscana. But before half-time, Porto were back in the driving seat, Rolando once again on hand to finish off a Hulk free-kick. The second half was even, and Vitória came out of it with dignity, but Porto claimed their third Supertaça in a row. Vitória's only trophy ever was a Supertaça in the 1988/89 season … against FC Porto.
The teams lined up:
FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru, Rolando, Maicon, Fucile, Souza, Rúben Micael (Guarín 66), João Moutinho (Belluschi 84), Varela (Falcão 66), Hulk, Kléber.
Vitória de Guimarães:
Nilson, Alex, N'Diaye, João Paulo, Santana, El Adoua, Leonel Olímpio (Pedro Mendes 72), Barrientos (João Alves 66), Targino, Faouzi (Maranhão 56), Toscano.
* History of the Supertaça (source: Maisfutebol)
1979/80:
FC Porto-BOAVISTA, 1-2 (Romeu/ Júlio 2)
1980/81:
Sporting-Benfica, 2-2 (Jordão 2, 1 pen/ Carlos Manuel, César)
BENFICA-Sporting, 2-1 (Nené, Vital/ Jordão pen)
1981/82:
Benfica-FC Porto, 2-0 (Nené 2)
FC PORTO-Benfica, 4-1 (Jacques 3, Costa/ Jorge Gomes)
1982/83:
Sporting Braga-Sporting, 2-1 (Jorge Gomes, Fontes/ Freire)
SPORTING-Sporting Braga, 6-1 (M. Fernandes 3, Jordão 2, Lito/ Vítor Oliveira)
1983/84:
FC Porto-Benfica, 0-0
Benfica-FC PORTO, 1-2 (Manniche/ Frasco, Vermelhinho)
1984/85:
Benfica-FC Porto, 1-0 (Manniche)
FC Porto-Benfica, 1-0 (Vermelhinho)
FC Porto-Benfica, 3-0 (Vermelhinho, Gomes 2)
Benfica-FC PORTO, 0-1 (Futre)
1985/86:
Benfica-FC Porto, 1-0 (Diamantino)
FC Porto-BENFICA, 0-0
1986/87:
FC Porto-Benfica, 1-1 (Gomes/ Rui Pedro)
Benfica-FC PORTO, 2-4 (Diamantino, Dito/ Madjer, Futre 2, Gomes)
1987/88:
Benfica-Sporting, 0-3 (Edmundo o.g., Silvinho, Paulinho Cascavel)
SPORTING-Benfica, 1-0 (Silvinho)
1988/89:
Vitória de Guimarães-FC Porto, 2-0 (Décio, N'Dinga)
FC Porto-VITÓRIA DE GUIMARÄES, 0-0
1989/90:
Benfica-Belenenses, 2-0 (Vata, Lima)
Belenenses-BENFICA, 0-2 (Macaé o.g., Magnusson)
1990/91:
Estrela da Amadora-FC Porto, 2-1 (Miranda, Baroti/ Geraldão)
FC PORTO-Estrela da Amadora, 3-0 (Paille, Semedo, Jorge Couto)
1991/92:
Benfica-FC Porto, 2-1 (Yuran, William/ Jaime Magalhães)
FC Porto-Benfica, 1-0 (Timofte)
(Coimbra) FC PORTO-Benfica, 1-1 aet (4-3 pens) (João Pinto pen/ Isaías)
1992/93:
FC Porto-Boavista, 1-2 (Kostadinov/ Marlon, Artur)
BOAVISTA-FC Porto, 2-2 (Tavares, Marlon/ Kostadinov 2)
1993/94:
Benfica-FC Porto, 1-0 (Rui Águas)
FC Porto-Benfica, 1-0 (Vinha)
FC PORTO-Benfica, 2-2 aet (4-3 pens) (Domingos, Secretário/ Tavares, César Brito)
1994/95:
Benfica-FC Porto, 1-1 (Vítor Paneira/ Rui Filipe)
FC Porto-Benfica, 0-0
(Paris) FC PORTO-Benfica, 1-0 (Domingos)
1995/96:
Sporting-FC Porto, 0-0
FC Porto-Sporting, 2-2 (Domingos 2/ Naybet, Ouattara)
(Paris) SPORTING-FC Porto, 3-0 (Sá Pinto 2, Carlos Xavier)
1996/97:
FC Porto-Benfica, 1-0 (Domingos)
Benfica-FC PORTO, 0-5 (Artur, Edmilson, Jorge Costa, Wetl, Drulovic)
1997/98:
Boavista-FC Porto, 2-0 (Ayew, Timofte)
FC Porto-BOAVISTA, 1-0 (Fernando Mendes)
1998/99:
FC Porto-Sporting Braga, 1-0 (Zahovic)
Sporting Braga-FC PORTO, 1-1 (Formoso/ Capucho)
1999/00:
Beira-Mar-FC Porto, 1-2 (Fary/ Domingos, Esquerdinha)
FC PORTO-Beira-Mar, 3-1 (Jardel 2, Lobão o.g./ Óscar)
2000/01:
FC Porto-Sporting, 1-1 (Alenitchev/ Acosta)
Sporting-FC Porto, 0-0
(Coimbra) FC Porto-SPORTING, 0-1 (Acosta pen)
2001/02:
(Vila do Conde) FC PORTO-Boavista, 1-0 (Jorge Andrade)
2002/03:
(Setúbal) SPORTING-Leixões, 5-1 (Ricardo Fernandes 2, Niculae,
Kutuzov, Carlos Martins/Antchouet)
2003/04:
(Guimarães) FC PORTO-União de Leiria, 1-0 (Costinha)
2004/05:
(Coimbra) FC PORTO-Benfica, 1-0 (Ricardo Quaresma)
2005/06:
(Algarve) Benfica-Vitória de Setúbal, 1-0 (Nuno Gomes)
2006/07
(Leiria) FC PORTO-Vitória de Setúbal, 3-0 (Adriano, Anderson, Vieirinha)
2007/08
(Leiria) SPORTING-FC Porto, 1-0 (Izmailov)
2008/09
(Faro) FC Porto-SPORTING, 0-2 (Yannick Djaló)
2009/10
(Aveiro) FC PORTO-Paços de Ferreira, 2-0 (Farias, Bruno Alves)
2010/11
(Aveiro) FC PORTO-Benfica, 2-0 (Rolando, Falcao)
2011/12
(Aveiro) FC PORTO-Vitória de Guimaraes, 2-0 (Rolando, 2/ Toscano)
* Overall:
F.C. Porto, played 27, won 18
Sporting, 8/7
Benfica, 15/4
Boavista, 4/3
Vitória de Guimarães, 2/1
Sporting Braga, 2/0
Vitória de Setúbal, 2/0
União de Leiria, 1/0
Paços de Ferreira, 1/0
Estrela da Amadora, 1/0
Beira-Mar, 1/0
Leixões, 1/0
Belenenses, 1/0
* The second games of the Taça da Liga group phase were played this weekend.
Results and standings (source Maisfutebol):
Group A
Belenenses-Leixões, 5-3
Trofense-Penafiel, 1-1
Table
1. Belenenses (played 2, 4 points)
2. Trofense (2, 2)
3. Penafiel (2, 2)
4. Leixões (2, 1)
Group B
Naval-Sp. Covilhã, 2-1
Santa Clara-Arouca, 1-1
Table
1. Naval (played 2, 6 pontos)
2. Santa Clara (2, 4)
3. Arouca (2,1)
4. Sp. Covilhã (2, 0)
Group C
Freamunde-Moreirense, 1-1
Portimonense-Atlético, 1-1
Table
1. Moreirense (played 2, 4 points)
2. Freamunde (2, 4)
3. Portimonense (2, 1)
4. Atlético (2,1)
Group D
Oliveirense-U. Madeira, 2-1
Estoril-D. Aves, 2-0
Table
1. U. Madeira (played 2, 3 points)
2. D. Aves (2, 3)
3. Estoril (2, 3)
4. Oliveirense (2,3)
* Olhanense, resting a lot of players ahead of next week's Liga kick off against Sporting, lost 2-3 to Algarve neighbours Farense
in the latter's presentation to their fans. Olhanense's goals came from Mateus and Gerson (own goal), while Farense's were scored by Chiquinho (2) and Bruno Gomes. There was some trouble at the end of the game between rival fans, broken up by the police.
* Portugal will play Guatemala in the last 16 of the U-20 World Cup, being played out in Colombia. The game will take place on Tuesday evening.
* quotes of the day
"Don't ask me to do it on a regular basis." FC Porto centre-back Rolando on his two goals in the Supertaça.
"Good night. See you next time." Vitória de Guimarães coach Manuel Machado loses his patience waiting for the journalists to ask him something and leaves the post-Supertaça press conference before a single question has been asked.
"This is Manchester United!" Nani after scoring two in his team's 3-2 defeat of Manchester City in the Community Shield..
07/08/11
* Benfica won the annual Eusébio Cup in front of 40,883 at the Luz, beating a weakened Arsenal (without Fabregas, Nasry or Walcott) 2-1 (goals). The Londoners were in front on 34 minutes when Gibbs made the line on the left and cut the
ball back for Van Persie to knock in the easiest of chances. It was a clear reflection of the relative merits of the two sides in the first half, but the second, in which Benfica brought out their big
guns (Aimar, Witsel, Gaitán and Nolito), was a world apart. Aimar equalised on 50 minutes after an intricate little move on the edge of the area and a pass from Nolito, and it was the latter who cracked home a
shot from outside the area on the hour to give Benfica the trophy, presented by Eusébio himself, 70 this year.
The teams lined up:
Benfica: Eduardo (Artur 46), Ruben Amorim (Ruben Pinto 86), Luisão
(Fábio Faria 89), Garay (Jardel 46), Emerson (Capdevila 46), Javi Garcia (David Simão 91), Bruno César (Nolito 46), Matic (Witsel 46), Enzo Peres (Gaitan 46, Urreta 86), Cardozo (Aimar 46), Jara (Saviola 46, Mora
86).
Arsenal: Szczesny (Fabianski 46), Sagna (Jenkinson 46), Djourou (Squillaci 46), Vermaelen (Miguel 85), Gibbs (Traoré 56), Rosicky (Lansbury 66), Song (Frimpong 46), Ramsey, Arshavin (Miyaichi 46),
Van Persie (Chamakh 46), Gervinho.
* Sporting came fourth in the Ramón Carranza trophy, played out in Cádiz, after drawing 2-2 with Udinese
but losing 9-10 on penalties, with Diego Capel and André Martins missing for Sporting (goals).
Abdi opened the scoring for Udinese after a quarter of an hour, but Diego Rubio equalised three minutes into the second half. Floro Flores put the Italian side back in front on 82 minutes, and Rubio equalised again
near the end from the spot … before the dreaded penalties.
Hosts Cádiz beat Málaga 2-0 to take the trophy.
The teams lined up:
Sporting:
Marcelo Boeck, Pereirinha, Carriço (Rodríguez 45), Polga, Turan (Evaldo 45), Rinaudo, André Martins, Schaars (André Santos 45), Yannick (Capel 45), Hélder Postiga (Rubio 45), Jeffren (Carrillo 75).
Udinese:
Handanovic, Danilo, Ekstrand, Basta, Badu, Armero (Pasquale 67), Isla (Surraca 84), Pinzi, Abdi (Fabbrini 67), Piccoli (Floro Flores 45), Di Natale.
* Sporting Braga drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in Braga's official presentation of the squad to their fans (goals).. Alan scored from outside the box on 19 minutes, but N'Zogbia equalised five minutes from
half time. Braga had the better of the chances in the second half, hitting the woodwork twice and having a Lima goal disallowed, but the 1-1 scoreline remained.
The teams lined up:
Sporting de Braga:
Quim, Baiano, Paulo Vinícius, Ewerton, Imourou, Djamal, Hugo Viana, Alan, Pizzi, Lima, Nuno Gomes. (Also: Mossoró, Nuno André Coelho, Elderson, Salino, Meyong, Zé Luís, Vinícius, Guilherme.)
Aston Villa:
Given, Luke Young, Dunne, Clarke, Warnock, Petrov, Makoun, N'Zogbia, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Bent. (Also: Albrighton, Ireland, Bannan)
* União de Leiria won the Tábua Triangular Tournament, drawing 0-0 with Tourizense and beating Beir-Mar 1-0 with a goal from Marco Paulo. Beira-Mar
lost 1-2 to Tourizense, Nildo putting the top flight team in front before the second tier team turned it around through Kané (penalty) and Xavier.
* Rio Ave and Gil Vicente drew 0-0.
* Académica beat Nogueirense 3-1 with goals from Nivaldo, Jerry Sitoe and Fábio Luís.
* Olhanense drew 1-1 at Quarteirense, who went in front through Rodrigo Ãngelo before Dady equalised for the first division club.
* Sporting Braga have loaned Brazilian striker Douglas to Beira-Mar for a season.
* quote of the day
"When I see that Atlético Madrid are interested in Falcao, I laugh." FC Porto president Pinto da Costa doubts that the Spanish club can afford his Colombian jewel.
06/08/11
* Sporting lost 1-3 to Málaga (goals) on Friday in the Ramón
Carranza Trophy, being played out in Cádiz, Spain. Júlio Baptista converted a cross for the Portuguese Eliseu to put Málaga in front on 36 minutes, Van Nistelrooy extended their lead six minutes later, Diego Rubio
pulled one back on the hour but then Júlio Baptista got his second a quarter of an hour from time to put the game beyond Sporting's reach. Sporting play Udinese
on Saturday for 3rd place, while hosts Cádiz will play Málaga for the trophy.
The teams lined up:
Málaga:
Caballero, Gámez, Demichelis, Mathijsen (Kris 81), Eliseu, Toulalan, Joaquín (Portillo 77), Apoño, Cazorla (Buonanotte 68), Júlio Baptista (Juanmi 89), Van Nistelrooy (Rondon 68).
Sporting:
Rui Patrício, João Pereira, Rodríguez, Onyewu (Carriço 46), Evaldo, André Santos, Yannick (Jeffen 46), Schaars (André Martins 57), Capel (Carrillo 46), Postiga (Rinaudo 46), Van Wolfswinkel (Rubio 57).
* Paços de Ferreira had better luck against Spanish opposition, beating Sporting Gijón 3-0.
Filipe Anunciação opened the scoring on five minutes, jumping on a mistake by 'keeper Cuellár from a corner. On 67 minutes, Manuel José made it two from the spot, and he shot his second and Paços' third ten minutes from time.
Paços lined up: Cássio, Marcelo Tché, Ozéia, Javier Cohene, Nuno Santos, André Leão, Filipe Anunciação, Vítor, Manuel José, Melgarejo, Michel (Also: Carlos, Luisinho, Michel Lugo, Backar, Josué, Silva).
* Vitória de Setúbal beat Académica 1-0
in the former's official presentation in front of 1600 fans at the Estádio do Bonfim. José Pedro got the only goal on 18 minutes from a direct free kick.
* Benfica will have to get past Dutch side Twente (away 16/17, home 23/24), led by former FC Porto coach Co Adriaanse, to go through to the group stage of the Champions League, as
dictated in Friday's draw in Nyon. Vitória de Guimarães got the short straw in the draw for the final pre-group qualifying round of the Europa League: Atlético Madrid (away 18, home 25). Sporting Braga have
Swiss side Young Boys (h 18, a 25), Nacional play Birmingham (h 18, a 25) and Sporting meet Danish club Nordsjalland (a 18, h 25) again – they played at the sam stage of the tournament last season, Sporting coming
out 3-1 winners over the two legs.
* Portugal U-20s beat New Zealand 1-0 with a goal from left back Mário Rui to top Group B at the U-20s World Cup in Colombia
* The first game of the Liga season will be newly promoted Gil Vicente v Benfica on Friday 12 August. The reigning champions FC Porto begin their defence of the title on Sunday at Vitória de Guimarães, who they also play this weekend in the Supertaça.
Friday 12 August:
Gil Vicente v Benfica, 20.45 (local time)
Saturday 13 August:
Rio Ave v Sporting Braga, 18.00
Sporting v Olhanense, 20.15 horas
Sunday 14 August:
Marítimo v Beira-Mar, 16.00
Feirense v Nacional, 17.00
Vitória de Setúbal v Paços de Ferreira, 18.00
Vitória de Guimarães v FC Porto, 19.00
Monday 15 August:
União de Leiria v Académica, 20.15
* quote of the day
"I have six offers." Benfica's Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda insists he's wanted by someone, if not Benfica.
05/08/11
* A goal 15 minutes from time sealed a 2-1 win (goals) for
Vitória de Guimarães against Danish side Midtjylland
in the second leg of the third preliminary round of the Europa League; the first leg had finished 0-0. Nielsen had put Midtjylland in front on 28 minutes, with Faouzi equalising just before the break. Then on 76 minutes, Edgar shot, the ball came back off the post and
Targino bundled it in.
The teams lined up:
Midtjylland: Kasper Jensen, Afriyie, Bak Nielsen, Kristijan Ipsa, Jesper Juelsgard, Mads Albaek (Jonas Borring 87), Jakob Poulsen, Izunna Uzochukwu,
Hassan, Jude Nworuh (Tim Janssen 72), Igboun.
Vitória de Guimarães: Nilson, Alex, João Paulo, N'Diaye, Anderson Mineiro, Issam El Adoua, Pedro Mendes (Leonel Olimpio 71), João Alves, Targino (Maranhão 82),
Abdelghani Faouzi (Edgar 57), Marcelo Toscano.
* Nacional lost by the same score (goals) at Swedish side Hacken
but went through to the last qualifying round thanks to their 3-0 win in the first leg. Elisson in the Nacional goal stopped everything Hacken threw at him ... except for the two goals scored by Congolese striker Makondele. Between his goals, however, Rondon equalised (on 40 minutes), which effectively put the tie beyond Hacken's reach.
* Olhanense beat the Spanish side Ayamonte 6-0 to take the António Concepción Trophy. Dady got a hat-trick, supplemented by goals from Wilson Eduardo, Yontcha and Salvador Agra.
* The national team coach Paulo Bento surprisingly called up veterans Nuno Gomes and Quim, both of Sporting Braga, for the upcoming friendly against Luxembourg
to be played at the Algarve Stadium on 10 August. another surprise is the inclusion of young Porto midfielder Castro.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Eduardo, Rui Patrício e Quim
Defenders:
Bruno Alves, Fábio Coentrão, João Pereira, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Sílvio.
Midfielders: Castro, André Santos, João Moutinho, Raul Meireles, Rúben Micael
Forwards:
Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny, Hugo Almeida, Postiga, Nani, Nuno Gomes, Varela
* Vitória de Guimarães have signed Algerian striker Hilal Soudani on a three-year contract from ASO Chlef.
* Sporting's Spanish midfielder Alberto Zapater has moved to Lokomotiv Moscow on a free transfer. The contract is for five years.
* quote of the day:
"Pinto da Costa is like a father to me." Hulk gets all soppy over the FC Porto president.
04/08/11
* Benfica drew 1-1 (goals) at Turkish side Trabzonspor
to go through to the pre-group play-off of the Champions League
on Wednesday; Benfica had won the first leg 2-0. They dominated pretty much throughout and should have finished with a win, but the result of the tie was the most important thing, taking them within two games of the lucrative group stage of the tournament. Nolito put Benfica in front on 9 minutes, meaning that Trabzonspor had to score four to qualify. They got one through Paulo Henrique on 32, but could manage no more and escaped defeat only due to the wastefulness of Benfica's attack, where Cardozo was conspicuous by his absence. Mierzejewski was sent off for the Turkish side on 58 minutes for use of an elbow on Maxi Pereira. Benfica fielded not a single Portuguese on the night.
The teams lined up:
Trabzonspor: Tolga Zengin, Balci (Halil Altıntop 79), Brozek (Yumlu 63), Kaçar, Celustka, Zokora, Colman, Glowacki, Mierzejewski,
Paulo Henrique (Alanzinho 45), Yilmaz.
Benfica: Artur, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Garay, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Witsel, Gaitán (Bruno César 87), Aimar (Matic 64), Nolito, Saviola (Jara 75).
Nélson Oliveira got the only goal of the game as Portugal U-20s
beat Cameroon 1-0 to go to the top of Group B of the U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Uruguay and New Zealand drew 1-1 in the same group.
* Sporting have signed winger Jeffrén Suárez from Barcelona on a five-year deal for 3.75 million euros (80% of his pass). "I promise work, enthusiasm and ambition," he said.
* Sporting Braga beat Trofense of the Liga de Honra 4-0 with goals from Meyong, Pizzi, Hélder Barbosa and Nuno Gomes.
* Paços de Ferreira beat Oliveirense, also of the Liga de Honra, with a goal from central defender Ozeia on 70 minutes.
* Académica drew 1-1 with Beira-Mar, the goals coming from Éder and Tiago Barros, respectively.
* Gil Vicente drew 0-0 with Varzim at the latter's official presentation.
03/08/11
* Benfica have been asked by the Portuguese Stock Exchange to clarify the fee paid by Zaragoza for goalkeeper Roberto, since the fee announced by Benfica, 8.6 million euros, does not tally
with what the Spanish club have announced. Zaragoza are over 100 million euros in the red.
* Coach Paulo Sérgio has signed for Scottish club Hearts, replacing Jim Jefferies, who was sacked.
* Another Portuguese coach, Carlos Carvalhal, will be the new boss of Ricardo Quaresma, Simão Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Manuel Fernandes at Besiktas, replacing Tayfur Havutcu, caught up in
the corruption scandal sweeping Turkish football. It will be Carvalhal's second stint abroad, having been at the helm of Asteras Tripolis in 2008.
* Yet another Portuguese coach working abroad, ex-Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira, had a bad day: his Panathinaikos
lost 3-4 at home to Danish side Odense (first leg 1-1) and thus miss out on the play-offs to the group stage of the Champions League. the Greek team were booed off the pitch, and Jesualdo's position at the club must now be in jeopardy.
* Argentinian full back José Schaffer has been loaned by Benfica to União de Leiria for one season.
* FC Porto
are ranked the third best club side in the world behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. Behind Porto in the top ten are Manchester United, Manchester City, Villarreal, Inter, Santos, Vélez Sarsfield and Schalke 04. Benfica are 37th, Sporting Braga 39th, Sporting 63rd, Nacional 283rd and Vitória de Guimarães 307th.
quotes of the day
* "I believe that Portugal can win a title in the next few years." Cristiano Ronaldo, optimistic.
* "For me, there are no foreigners or Portuguese, just Benfica players. I
pick the best 11 for each game, not according to their nationality." Coach Jorge Jesus deflects concerns about the preponderance of foreign players in the Benfica squad; they finished last week's Champions League
qualifier against Trabzonspor without any Portuguese players on the pitch.
02/08/11
* Benfica have sold Spanish goalkeeper Roberto
to Zaragoza for 8.6 million euros. Benfica bought him a year ago from Atlético Madrid for 8.5m, but he never established himself in the hearts of Benfiquistas or between the posts at the Luz.
* Vitória de Guimarães have signed Bolivian winger Maurício Saucedo, 26, on a one-year contract (with an option for an extra year).
* Coach Paulo Sérgio looks set to join Scottish club Hearts
on a two-year contract. In Portugal, he led Olhanense, Santa Clara, Beira-Mar, Paços de Ferreira, Vitória de Guimarães and most recently Sporting. He would replace Jim Jefferies, sacked by the Edinburgh club.
quotes of the day
* "I wouldn't swap Hulk for Ronaldo." FC Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa.
* "It's not the hardest job in the world to win the league with Porto because
Porto seem to have it well and truly sorted one way or another over there." Former Benfica boss Graeme Souness.
01/08/11
* FC Porto played and lost their last friendly before the season proper begins, 1-2 (
goals) against Lyon in Geneva. Porto were behind on eight minutes, the ex-portista Lisandro López scoring from outside the area. But Porto were on level terms minutes later through Ruben Micael, finishing off one of many incisive runs by Hulk on the right. The Portuguese champions proceeded to dominate the game but were unable to translate this into goals, and ten minutes from time, after Porto had made a number of substitutions, Michel Bastos took advantage of some clumsy defending to knock the ball in from ten metres. After the game, Porto coach Vítor Pereira said: "Negative was the result. Positive: almost everything."
Porto had won five of their previous friendlies (Tourizense, Guterslöh, SC Verl, Rio Ave and Peñarol) and drawn one (Borussia Mönchengladbach). Their next game is the coming weekend against
Vitória de Guimarães for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
The teams lined up:
Lyon: Vercountre, Réveillère, Cris, Lovren, Cissokho, Gonalons (Koné 78), Källström, Michel Bastos, Briand
(Pied 84), Gomis (Belfodil 71), Lisandro López
FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru (Sereno 77), Rolando, Otamendi (Maicon 77), Fucile, Souza (Fernando 73), João Moutinho (Castro 77), Rúben Micael (Belluschi 63),
Varela (Christian Atsu 77), Hulk, Kléber (Djalma 65)
* Vitória de Guimarães drew 1-1 (goals) with Marítimo
at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques in Guimarães. the home side were in front on 26 minutes through Barrientos, but Babá equalised on 33. The Vitória crowd jeered their team at the end.
* União de Leiria, playing this season at Marinha Grande, 12 kilometres away, drew 0-0 with Olhanense in their official presentation game.
* Brazilian striker Adriano, 32, who has already represented Nacional, FC Porto and Sporting Braga in Portugal, has signed a one-year contract with Liga de Honra side Oliveirense. Adriano's last
clubs were Sport and Santo André in Brazil. "You'll see that I'm not dead", he told reporters.
* The Portuguese League Cup
kicked off on Sunday. The Cup involves only clubs in the top and second division. At this stage, only clubs in the second (Liga de Honra) take part. Results:
Group A
Trofense - Leixões, 1-1
Penafiel – Belenenses, 0-0
Group B
Sporting Covilhã - Santa Clara, 0-1
Naval – Arouca, 2-0
Group C
Atlético – Freamunde, 0-1
Portimonense - Moreirense, 2-3
Group D
Oliveirense – Desportivo das Aves, 0-1
União de Madeira – Estoril, 3-2
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