LIGA NOS: BELENENSES 2-1 PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense extended their winless streak dating back to last November by going down to fellow strugglers Belenenses last Sunday afternoon.
Interim coach Bruno Lopes’ tweaked 4-3-3 formation looked more lively than on recent occasions, but suffered an early setback when principal marksman Jackson Martinez failed to fully recover from a heavy tackle in the fifth minute. Despite a pronounced limp, the Colombian managed to continue until substituted on the hour mark, and was involved in the visitors’ best chance of the first half when first setting up Bruno Costa, whose powerful shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Moreira, before miscuing his own attempt at a follow-up.
Unfortunately, that missed opportunity was immediately followed by the always threatening Varela finishing off an inspired André Santos pass to give the hosts the lead as the interval beckoned.
The scorer turned provider after the restart, Varela crossing the ball for his nephew Nilton to slot home at the far post to put Belenenses two up. To their credit, Portimonense did not fold, Dener, Marlos and Aylton all going close before the first-mentioned headed in to cut the deficit. Captain Jadson then wasted a glorious opportunity to bring the scores level in injury time and the final whistle heralded yet another defeat.
The match once again demonstrated the desperate need for proven goal scorers to assist and supplement the ailing Jackson, who is carrying a chronic ankle injury, and the club did attempt to act accordingly earlier this week, bringing Ricardo Vaz Tê and Mohanad Ali on board.
The now 33-year-old Vaz Tê has enjoyed a long if checkered career, interrupted by multiple knee operations in 2010. A contemporary of Nani, with whom he played at youth level in Guinea-Bissau, the Portuguese U-17, 19, 20 and U-23 international went on to play for Bolton, Hull, Barnsley, Hibernian and West Ham, with varying success, before moving to China, representing second tier Qingdao Huanghai most recently.
In complete contrast, Mohanad Ali, ‘Mimi’ for short, is a supposedly talented 19-year-old Iraqi who has managed one goal in 12 sporadic appearances for Qatar side Al-Duhail. If either turns out to be a reinforcement remains to be seen.
For now, Portimonense, who remain in penultimate place, two and four points behind most recent opponents Paços de Ferreira and Belenenses, respectively, and five ahead of Aves, have their next opportunity to return to winning ways when welcoming Tondela to the Municipal Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
By SKIP BANDELE
