In the bottom-of-the-table clash between Olhanense and Académica it was the visitors who took all three points when Magique scored midway through the first-half.
On a cold night under the bright floodlights of the Algarve Stadium and with TV cameras present, both teams were supporting the national Food Bank.
Local school children accompanied the players onto the pitch and released balloons to help raise awareness of food shortages and the need to support food banks throughout the country.
Olhanense were without the injured Rui Duarte, Jander and Pele whilst Jakub Vojtus was yet to return from international duty in Slovakia. 34 year-old Croatian international full-back Anthony Seric made his debut.
On the pitch there was a distinct shortage of quality as both teams made a nervous start. Académica, managed by former Olhanense boss Sérgio Conceição, fielded three of last season’s Olhanense team – Liban Abdi, Fernando Alexandre and Ivanildo. And it was the industrious Ivanildo who provided an inch perfect pass for Magique to slip the ball under the despairing dive of Belec to put the visitors ahead.
Despite wringing the changes in the second-half – Dionisi, Bigazzi and Diego Gonçalves replaced João Ribeiro, Regula and Seric – Olhanense still looked disjointed and failed to break down a resolute Académica defence in which Fernando Alexandre was the mastermind.
It was only in the second minute of added-on time that the home side had an effort on goal but Ricardo saved well from Dionisi.
Based on this performance, Olhanense must be odds-on favourites for relegation. With three of their next four games being against SC Braga – tonight (Friday) away – Benfica (home) and Porto (away), manager Paulo Alves has much work to do.
Just one point off the bottom, the Algarve side will need to show more passion and commitment if they are to attract back the missing fans; just 607 turned up for this game.
For further information on the campaign by the Food Bank go to:
www.alimentestaideia.net
By Chris Wright sport@algarveresident.com
