Liga Bwin: Tondela 0-3 Portimonense
Portimonense climbed into joint fifth place with a convincing 3-0 away victory over Tondela last Sunday afternoon.
Manager Paulo Sérgio’s starting eleven, featuring newcomers Pedrão and Carlinhos, always looked comfortable and first threatened when captain Willyan headed a corner back across goal with 14 minutes on the clock. On this occasion, the home defence managed to scramble the ball away, but just after the half-hour mark, Willyan shone again, finding Beto with a pin-point pass which last season’s top scorer buried with a half-volley on the turn.
Tondela keeper Niasse then did well to keep out a deflected Fali Candé shot but was helpless as Aylton Boa Morte stepped up to successfully convert from the penalty spot following a VAR-confirmed João Pedro handball in the area.
Tondela did try to recover after the interval, but the well-organised Portimonense defence stood firm and Candé made it 3-0 on the afternoon with a direct free kick from just outside the area. Beto almost made it four while Portimonense keeper Samuel made sure the result remained unchanged with a couple of late saves.
Paços de Ferreira, beaten 3-1 by Estoril on Monday, will provide the opposition at the Municipal Stadium this Sunday evening (8.30pm kick off), hopefully not on top of their game following a long trip to London this Thursday attempting to defend their UEFA Conference League 1-0 first leg advantage over Tottenham Hotspur.
Off the pitch, Portimonense are still trying to negotiate the return of both Nakajima and Ewerton from Porto, but with only a few days of the transfer window remaining, there is only a slim chance of a financial agreement acceptable to both clubs being reached.
By SKIP BANDELE
