By CHRIS WRIGHT
Olhanense went into the game with Marítimo (Madeira) at the weekend knowing that victory would virtually ensure their survival in the top flight.
The home side was missing central defender Carlos Fernandes and midfield workhorse Castro, so Toy and Stephane took their places.
On a treacherous pitch, due to the heavy rain, both sides started tentatively and opportunities went begging at each end. Drama unfolded in the 20th minute when Baba was played through for Marítimo and Ventura’s dive appeared to have got a touch on the ball.
The referee thought otherwise, the forward went sprawling and the referee immediately pointed to the spot and sent-off the home keeper. Toy was withdrawn and substitute keeper Bruno Verissimo took his place between the sticks.
Baba stepped up and placed the spot-kick to Bruno’s left but the Tavira born keeper made a magnificent save and coolly gathered the follow-up shot.
Ten minutes later, after a barrage of attacks, Olhanense failed to clear their lines and Baba gave the visitors the lead. The 10 men battled through to half-time when the heavens opened again to worsen an already difficult surface.
Olhanense had no answer to the supersonic Manu, who created all sorts of problems, as he had done in Madeira back in December, with his electrifying runs. Within two minutes of the restart the islanders had increased their lead when Kliber headed home Paulo Jorge’s cross.
The home side was incensed when Djalmir was clearly hacked down inside the penalty area only for referee Paulo Baptisita to wave play on. As the home side pressed forward, leaving gaps at the back, Bruno Verissimo made two stunning saves.
At the other end Stephane’s rasping drive was tipped over by Pecanha. With four minutes to go a cross from Ukra was slotted home by Djalmir to make it 1-2. Tengarrinha was then dismissed for an innocuous tackle leaving the home side with nine men.
As the final whistle went the crowd were vocal in their condemnation of the officials. The standard of refereeing in Portugal leaves much to be desired where players have a much higher chance of being booked or sent-off than in the English Premiership – 83 players (208 games) have seen red in Liga Sagres this season compared with 61 (350 games) in England.
According to statistics, Olhanense have had more fouls committed against them than any other team in the league. There were nine yellow cards and two red in the Olhanense/Marítimo game yet this was a relatively clean match played on a problematic pitch.
BIG DAY IN LISBON
More than 1,500 Olhanense fans will make their way north tomorrow (Saturday) as the Algarveans take on league leaders Benfica at the Stadium of Light. A win for the Eagles could secure them the league title. Olhanense are one of only four teams to have taken a point off Benfica when a 92nd minute equaliser gave the Lisbon side an undeserved 2-2 draw last December.
