Olhanense take on league leaders Benfica at the José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão on Wednesday December 19, kick-off 7.45pm in the third phase of the League Cup.
The Lisbon club has won the competition for the past four seasons. Benfica moved to the top-of-the-table on Monday with a 3-1 win over Sporting . Oscar Cardozo netted twice to bring his tally to 97 goals in 144 games.
Liverpool is still hoping to lure the Paraguayan international to Anfield in January although the player is keen to commit to Benfica for another two years.
Olhanense will have been disappointed not to have got at least a draw from their game at V.Guimarães. Abdi and Djaniny had opportunities to open the scoring in the first 15 minutes but it was the home side which took the lead midway through the first-half. Amido Baldé headed home Alex’s corner with the static Olhanense defence all at sea.
Five minutes before the break Olhanense was awarded a dubious penalty. Up stepped skipper Rui Duarte but Douglas threw himself to the left to deny the visitors an equaliser. Just as Olhanense seemed to be clawing its way back into the game V.Guimarães managed to double their lead. A driving run from Marco Matias ended with the wide man being bundled over, but not before he managed to slip the ball to André. The youngster’s shot deflected off Fernando Alexandre and trickled inside Bracali’s near post.
Olhanense then threw caution to the wind in an attempt to keep the game alive, but a series of decisive interventions from Douglas in the Guimarães goal ensured that the home side was able to preserve its lead.
Two games in five days
Without a home game for over a month, Olhanense has an opportunity to give its fans some festive cheer. Tomorrow (Saturday) Gil Vicente is the visiting team with a 4pm kick-off. A win is vital as the home side is only a point above the relegation zone. Tickets for both the Gil Vicente and Benfica games can be purchased on the day of the games but supporters are advised to arrive early. Anyone dressed in a Santa outfit will receive a free gift at the Club Shop situated next to the ticket office. The José Arcanjo Stadium, Olhão is situated behind McDonalds on the EN125.
