Liga Portugal Betclic:
Portimonense 2-2 Casa Pia
Vitória Guimarães 1-1 Farense
Both Farense and Portimonense managed to take a point a piece against much higher-placed opposition last weekend whilst letting likely-looking victories slip from their grasp.
On Saturday afternoon, Farense surprised Guimarães, who are still involved in a three-way battle with Braga and Porto for third spot in the table, Bruno Duarte putting the visitors ahead in the ninth minute.
The Algarveans then survived a spectacular João Mendes ‘equaliser’ which was called offside, but otherwise stood firm until the 96th (!) minute when Jorge Mendes did finally find the back of the net to produce the draw.
Portimonense got off to an even better start a little more than 24 hours later when almost 2,000 ecstatic home fans saw Carlinhos turn provider for Tamble and Alemão to head home in quick succession for a 2-0 lead before half an hour was up.
Unfortunately for the hosts, a 35th-minute Soma shot took a deflection off Pedrão to reduce the visitors’ deficit and Berto missed a golden opportunity to restore the two-goal advantage by shooting straight at keeper Ricardo Batista just before the interval.
Casa Pia began the second half in ascendency and the inevitable equaliser came about on the hour mark when Zolotic slotted home after Nakamura had parried Duplexe’s initial effort.
Manager Paulo Sérgio’s men came under increasing pressure thereafter with Soma hitting the upright and Seck making a vital interception late on to nonetheless secure a share of the points.
Portimonense, still very much involved in a now five-way fight with Estrela Amadora, Gil Vicente, Estoril and Boavista – two points separate that quintet – to avoid the third-from-bottom relegation play-off berth, next travel to Famalicão on Sunday afternoon while Farense have the dubious pleasure of welcoming Benfica on Monday night.
By SKIP BANDELE
