Five Algarve teams featured in the third round of the Portugal Cup, equivalent to the English FA Cup, but only Primeira Liga Olhanense progressed to the fourth round.
Biggest shock was 2nd Division promotion challengers Portimonense being knocked-out at home by non-league Cova da Piedade from the southern suburbs of Lisbon. 0-0 after extra-time, it was the visitors who held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 4-3. A bad tempered game between 2nd Division rivals Feirense and SC Farense resulted in referee Jorge Ferreira administering 10 yellow cards and one red – seven yellows plus the red going to the visitors from Faro!
With the score tied at 2-2, after extra-time, it was the home side that stepped up to slot home all five penalties to win 5-3. Minnows Esperança de Lagos were no match for top flight Rio Ave, who fielded a full strength side including former international Del Valle (Venezula), Alberto Rodriguez (Peru) and four former Portugal U21 players. First-half goals from Tarantini, André Vilas Boas and Nuno Lopes settled the issue 0-3. Louletano lost at home 0-2 to Famalicão, who made the long journey south from the district of Braga.
SC Olhanense, who travelled in the opposite direction, were without skipper Rui Duarte (injured) and Coubronne (suspended) against non-league Lusitano Vildemoinhos. New signing, Danish international centre-back Per Kroldrup made his debut whilst second string keeper Belec took over from Ricardo in goal.
After a lack-lustre first-half, Olhanense manager Xavier must have read the riot act at the break. Within a minute of the restart, Bigazzi fired home and 10 minutes later Lucas Souza made it 2-0 after Femi Balogun’s long range shot cannoned off the crossbar.
The home side pulled a goal back five minutes later but the Algarve side held on to go into yesterday’s (Thursday) fourth round draw.
Biggest shock of the round was the defeat of fourth placed Primeira Liga side Nacional by little Santa Maria from the Barcelos region. Playing in the fourth tier of national football, the part-timers and their supporters celebrated their 1-0 victory well into the early hours of Monday morning. FC Porto and Benfica recorded narrow victories whilst Sporting thrashed amateurs Alba 8-1.Chris Wright
