BY CHRIS WRIGHT
There was nervous anticipation as Olhanense prepared to take on Nacional in the 4th round of the Portugal Cup on Sunday.
The last time the home side had overcome Premier Liga opposition in this competition was 23 years ago when they beat Académica 5-1.
Nacional, making the long trip from Madeira as they do every fortnight, were beset by problems.
Danielson, their influential defender, was missing through suspension, first choice goalkeeper Rafael Barcala was admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis and their scheduled flight from Funchal to Lisbon was cancelled due to the NATO Summit.
They finally arrived at their hotel at midnight and, for the first 45 minutes of the game, it looked as if the visitors were still asleep!
At the break, Olhanense should have been at least three goals to the good but only had one to show for their superiority when Fernando Alexandre converted a penalty after thirteen minutes.
Nacional’s replacement keeper Elisson was their ‘Man-of-the-Match’ and made several point blank saves as Olhanense looked to build on their lead. Vinicius was in commanding form in midfield while Paulo Sérgio, who is attracting the attention of Spanish La Liga side Sevilha, was a constant threat upfront.
On the stroke of half-time Paulo Sérgio was bundled over in the box by Bruno Amaro but referee Bruno Esteves, who was to court controversy later in the game, failed to award a penalty until his assistant flagged for the infringement. This time Fernando Alexandre’s spot-kick was well saved by Elisson.
In the second period the visitors looked livelier and Ricardo Batista in the home goal made several good stops but was not unduly troubled.
Ismaily and Jardel were giving him good cover while Rui Duarte kept supplying the front runners. Little Lulinha had a quiet game after a lively start.
Trouble erupted with ten minutes to go when Adilson was about to be substituted by Djalmir. An Olhanense player went down injured, there was confusion as to who would go off, and referee Bruno Esteves suddenly showed Adilson a yellow card.
It appeared at this point that the referee didn’t realise he had previously booked the player but when it was brought to his attention by the fourth official Adilson had to go.
A bizarre incident that didn’t endear the official to the crowd of 2,300. Olhanense, who had surrendered a 1-0 lead to a last minute goal the previous week, hung on to reach the last sixteen.
The draw for the next round, missing seven Premier Liga teams eliminated last weekend, will be featured here next week.
LEAGUE CUP DRAW – BENFICA v. OLHANENSE
Benfica, Porto, Braga and Sporting were seeded, last season’s top four clubs, as the draw for the third phase took place on Monday.
Four leagues of four teams playing each other once. Olhanense will play twice away and once at home while all four seeded teams get the advantage of two home games each!
Olhanense are away to Second Division Aves on January 2, travel to Lisbon to take on League Champions Benfica on January 19 and finally have a home game with Marítimo on January 29/30.
Group A: Porto, Nacional, Beira-Mar and Gil Vicente
Group B: Benfica, Marítimo, OLHANENSE and Aves
Group C: Braga, V. Guimarães, P.Ferreira and Arouca
Group D: Sporting, Naval, Penfield and Estoril
LONG JOURNEY NORTH
Fans will be leaving Olhão at 5am tomorrow (Saturday) morning for the long trip to Paços de Ferreira for a 4pm kick-off. P.Ferreira, five places below Olhanense, in 12th place have only won one home game this season while the visitors are yet to record an away victory.
Next Friday, some 1,500 fans are expected to travel to Lisbon for the big game with Benfica. Kick-off: 8.15pm live on
Sport TV1.
