LIGA PORTUGAL BETCLIC: FARENSE 1-2 RIO AVE
LIGA PORTUGAL 2 MEU SUPER: UNIÃO DE LEIRIA 1-0 PORTIMONENSE
Farense welcomed Rio Ave to the São Luís Stadium last Saturday afternoon but failed to improve upon their worrisome bottom three league table position. Despite going forward for most of the encounter, there was little end product in the last third of the pitch.
As a result, the visitors comfortably contained their opponents and struck on the counter-attack either side of the break through Kiko Bondoso and Clayton before Tomané grabbed a late consolation goal from the penalty spot.
Next up is a daunting Sunday evening trip to runaway league leaders Sporting and it is doubtful that the latest transfer window loan signing from their imminent Lisbon adversaries, 20-year-old midfielder Samuel Justo, will do much to improve Farense’s current predicament.
Portimonense travelled to União de Leiria on Sunday afternoon and were more than a little unlucky to see their three-match winning run ended. A balanced opening 45 minutes featuring half-chances at either end was followed by a strong restart from the hosts after the interval with Alisson giving Leiria the lead.
On the hour mark, Portimonense were awarded a penalty for handball in the area only for referee João Gonçalves to reverse his initial decision having consulted VAR. A rasping Ruan shot then shaved the Leiria post before Mr Gonçalves brandished a harsh straight red card to Yuki, reducing the Algarveans to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Undaunted, Portimonense continued to push for an equaliser with keeper Kieszek pulling off a great double save from Camilo Duran at the death to frustrate manager Ricardo Pessoa’s much improved team.
Next up is a 6pm Saturday evening home clash with lowly Mafra, by which time latest transfer window signings Douglas Grolli, Lucas Araújo and João Neto should become available for selection.
By SKIP BANDELE
