The points were shared at the municipal stadium last Saturday evening as Portimonense more than matched their high-flying visitors from Guimarães.
However, the opening 20 minutes belonged to the away team with three successive corner kicks culminating in André Silva easily beating Nakamura in the Portimonense goal for the lead. Fortunately the early deficit served as a wake-up call for manager Paulo Sérgio’s men who proceeded to dominate play from there on with only good saves by keeper Charles from Berto and man-of-the-match Hélio Varela preventing parity. During this spell Guimarães also rode their luck with referee António Nobre showing Jorge Fernandes a straight red card for a 34th-minute game-ending tackle on Carlinhos before a VAR review persuaded him not to send off the defender.
Portimonense continued in the ascendency after the break with a Filipe Relvas shot cleared off the line prior to Varela providing the perfect cross for Guga to head home across goal for the more than deserved equaliser. And there was still time for yet more referee-induced controversy with Mr Nobre pointing to the penalty spot following a 95th-minute Berto foul only for VAR to calm local nerves by overturning the decision in favour of a thereafter harmless free kick on the edge of the area.
Farense also played well but were narrowly beaten in Braga despite Ricardo Velho’s best efforts. The often-outstanding keeper made at least six great saves including a 41st-minute João Moutinho penalty kick before finally being beaten by a Simon Banza header on the hour mark which, much to the dismay of Farense manager José Mota, resulted from a throw-in taken way ahead of the point where the ball went out. Belloumi then made it 1-1 but there was no stopping PSG loanee Cher Ndour’s powerful 85th-minute winner, securing a 2-1 win for the home team.
Farense next play at home against Moreirense on Saturday afternoon while Portimonense visit reigning champions Benfica on Sunday evening.
By SKIP BANDELE
