Liga Portugal Betclic:
Farense 0-0 Estrela Amadora
Moreirense 5-2 Portimonense
Both Algarve top-tier clubs failed to win last weekend, but a drastic late loss of concentration meant that Portimonense were unable to match Farense’s earlier share of the points.
Sunday afternoon’s away match against last season’s second division champions Moreirense began badly for manager Paulo Sérgio’s men with two quick strikes from Maracás and Madson seeing the home side comfortably ahead within 25 minutes.
However, goals from Jasper and Filipe Relvas either side of the half-time break levelled the match and, with only a quarter of an hour remaining, had the Algarveans maybe thinking that they had done enough to earn a draw – but the hosts had other ideas.
Heavily involving three late substitutes, Kodisang, Frimpong and Matheus Arias, Moreirense came storming home to claim a previously unlikely-looking 5-2 victory.
The latest Liga Betclic matchday had already begun on Friday night with last season’s two other promoted clubs, Farense and Estrela Amadora, facing each other in the Algarve’s capital.
A very entertaining encounter only remained goalless due to both the unforgiving woodwork and excellent goalkeeping performances, Amadora’s Dida and Farense’s Ricardo Velho producing stand-out late saves from Bruno Duarte and Hevertton, respectively, to keep the score line at 0-0.
The battle for top division survival continues for the two Algarve clubs on Saturday, December 30 with Farense travelling to Estoril in the afternoon, before Portimonense welcome powerhouse Sporting to their Municipal Stadium for an 8.30pm kick off.
By SKIP BANDELE
