Portimonense produces one of best performances of the season

Portimonense produced one of the best performances of the season so far by finishing 2014 with a 2-1 victory over league leaders Oliveirense.
Once again speedy winger Mu Kanazaki was the best man on the pitch, the Japanese international opening the scoring just past the half-hour mark following a great through ball from Fidelis.
The visitors responded well to the setback and looked certain to level the scores but for the heroics of Ricardo Ferreira. The Portimonense keeper pulled off a miraculous save minutes before the interval only to see the referee point to the penalty spot following a hand ball in the area from the resulting corner – but Ferreira proved equal to that challenge as well, and was immediately rewarded when Ricardo Pessoa’s cross was diverted into the path of Kanazaki, who proceeded to double the score as the half-time whistle was blown.
Oliveirense attempted a comeback and reduced arrears through Pedro Oliveira in the 69th minute, but were ultimately fortunate not to be punished further with Fidelis and Fernandinho guilty of glaring misses during the final phase of the match.
The success lifted Portimonense, who begin the new year with a trip to Atlético this Sunday, into joint fifth place, just four points off the two promotion places and every chance of turning their centenary season into a truly memorable one.
By Skip Bandele
Photo: Mu Kanzaki was the best man on the pitch