By CHRIS WRIGHT
Olhanense had to avoid defeat against Leixões at the weekend to ensure that there would be Premier League football in Olhão next season.
The club, realising the importance of attracting a large following particularly as the game clashed with the live screening of the FC Porto v. Benfica game, gave free admission to all socio-members.
The decision paid off as more than 5,300 fans packed into the ground. Two of those fans were 15-year-old Bill Green and his 14 year-old brother Fred, who flew over from Manchester especially for the game.
Their grandmother Pam Pardo, who with her husband Zé runs the Restaurante Fonte Nova in Pechão, said: “They are avid Olhanense fans and couldn’t miss this important match. They left home in Congelton, Cheshire at 5am on Friday and returned home on Monday morning. I think they’ve used up all their pocket money for the next six months but they had a tremendous time.”
Leixões, four points below Olhanense, had to win if they were to have any chance of avoiding the drop into the 2nd Division.
Jorge Costa reverted from his normal 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 with Djalmir and Yazalde up front and Rui Baião, Castro, Ukra and Paulo Sérgio in midfield.
Both teams started nervously and the first real action of the game came on 12 minutes when Paulo Sérgio’s free-kick smashed against the bar with Berger well beaten.
Five minutes later and Tengarrinha’s flick on was met by the head of Yazalde and the fans were on their feet as the ball headed for the back of the net.
But the visitor’s keeper Berger had other ideas and his full length dive diverted the ball away to safety. A truly stunning save.
It was mostly the home side who took the initiative in the first-half while the visitors did not have a shot on target.
There was much more urgency in the second period as Leixões pushed forward with Hugo Morais and Pouga wasting good opportunities as their aerial domination went unrewarded.
Portugal Under 21 international Ukra, making his final appearance at home, received a standing ovation when he was substituted with a quarter of an hour to go.
Castro and Ukra have been firm favourites but will be returning to FC Porto after their two-year loan deal ends next week.
As the clock ticked down, the tension around the ground was suddenly lifted when Djalmir rose to head home Paulo Sérgio’s pinpoint cross from the right.
This was Djalmir’s tenth goal in sixteen appearances, a tremendous strike rate given that the 31 year-old centre-forward missed the first half of the season with a serious knee injury.
Now it was party time as the crowd celebrated with a cacophony of sound that must have been heard throughout the Algarve.
It was almost a repeat of that fantastic night 12 months ago when promotion had been won.
The 1-0 victory means that Olhanense climb to 13th place above V.Setúbal, who lost 2-0 at Marítimo.
On Sunday, the final match of the campaign takes place at P.Ferreira, kick-off 4pm.
