LIGA PORTUGAL BETCLIC:
Gil Vicente 5-0 Portimonense
Farense 0-3 Casa Pia
The two Algarve top division clubs got off to the worst possible start to the 2023/24 league campaign last weekend with heavy defeats to mediocre opposition both at home and away.
Portimonense travelled to unheralded Gil Vicente on Saturday afternoon and had their weaknesses cruelly exposed as the hosts romped to an emphatic victory.
New signings Vinicius (goal), Jasper, Rildo, Guga, Hélio and Ronie Carrillo failed to make an impact while a Fujimoto brace put Gil Vicente in a comfortable 2-0 lead by half time. Tiba and Toure then doubled the advantage following the restart with an injury time Gabriel Pereira fifth confirming Portimonense’s worst ever defeat in an opening match.
Farense did not fare much better upon their return to the top flight in front of 4,000 fans at their own São Luis stadium that same evening. A Clayton header opened the scoring for the visitors after 15 minutes before a long-distance Pablo Roberto shot surprised Ricardo Velho in the Farense goal halfway through the second half. A late penalty from the aptly-named Saviour Godwin then confirmed Casa Pia’s easy 3-0 win.
Things will not become any easier for either Algarve club with Farense playing away in Porto next Sunday (6pm k.o.) while Portimonense receive Boavista on Saturday night (8.30pm k.o.) at their Municipal Stadium. The latter, in particular, need to take advantage of the next two weeks during which the transfer window still remains open having most recently added midfielder Diaby – on loan to Sheffield Wednesday – to the long list of experienced players who have left the club this summer.
By SKIP BANDELE
