Algarve football round-up: Fighting performances       

LIGA PORTUGAL BETCLIC: FARENSE 2-1 FAMALICÃO
LIGA PORTUGAL 2 MEU SUPER: VISEU 2-1 PORTIMONENSE

Portimonense’s Saturday morning trip to mid-table Viseu proved fruitless, but the Algarveans did not go down without a fight. Simão Silva did put the hosts in a 13th-minute lead against the run of play, but Tamble restored parity from the penalty spot and manager Ricardo Pessoa’s men proceeded to push for another goal until the interval.

A combative second half during which referee Halim Shirzad issued no less than nine yellow cards that saw Viseu gain the upper half, Paulinho scoring what turned out to be the winner on the hour-mark.

Fortunately, in respect of Portimonense’s second division survival chances, all four clubs below the Algarveans also lost, and a win next Sunday at home against FC Porto B, trailing by two points, will guarantee safety.

In contrast, Farense emerged the winners of another battle royal, referee André Narciso handing out seven yellow cards to Farense players and three plus a straight red to Famalicão as well as sending one coaching staff member from each club to the stands.

In between the many stoppages, Simon Elisor gave the visitors the lead, Felipe Soares equalised on the stroke of half time and a Darío Poveda bombshell at the death settled matters in the Algarveans’ favour.

The first home win since last November gives Farense a glimmer of hope of maintaining their top division status as results elsewhere produced the following scenario with two matches remaining.

Estrela Amadora are virtually safe on 29 points and at least a draw at home this weekend against AVS SAD, one of three clubs on 24 points at the foot of the table along with Farense and Boavista, will make sure of that.

Out of the three aforementioned bottom clubs, two will be relegated whilst the other gets a chance to stay up via the play-offs: Farense must get results against fifth and sixth-placed Vitória Guimarães (away) and Santa Clara (home) to gain that last chance.

Skip Bandele
Skip Bandele

Skip Bandele escaped to the Algarve almost 25 years ago and has been with the Algarve Resident since 2003. His writing reflects views and opinions formed while living in Africa, Germany and England as well as Portugal.

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