Benfica held, Sporting lose in Portuguese league
February 7, 2010
It was not the best of Saturday’s for Lisbon’s top clubs as leaders Benfica were held to a draw at Vitoria Setubal while Sporting Lisbon lost their home match with Academica.
Benfica began the day with a two-points lead over Braga but risk having to share the top spot again following a 1-1 draw at Setubal.
The match at the Estadio do Bonfim was entirely decided by own goals. Marco Zoro first hit his own target to put Benfica ahead in the 14th minute, and David Luiz then helped the hosts level in minute 38.
Braga play an away match to Belenenses on Monday, and a win would leave them back in shared first place.
Fourth-placed Sporting Lisbon lost 1-2 to Academica de Coimbra who needed just two minutes for Orlando to score the opening goal.
Joao Moutinho equalised in minute 23 but Joao Ribeiro restored Academica’s lead in the 29th. His goal would turn out to be worth three points.
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Benfica too strong for Uniao
February 4, 2010
Benfica successfully defended their position at the top of the Portuguese table with a 3-0 win over Uniao de Leiria on Wednesday.
Oscar Cardozo put the Lisbon outfit in the lead after 10 minutes at the Estadio da Luz, and Argentinian forward Javier Saviola doubled the advantage one minute after the hour mark.
A late goal from Ruben Amorim set the score to 3-0, which would also be the final result.
Benfica are now three points ahead of Sporting Braga, but the latter do have a game in hand.
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Small wins for Benfica and Sporting
January 10, 2010
Both Benfica and Sporting Lisbon needed just one goal to win their matches against Rio Ave and Leixoes respectively.
As joint-leaders Sporting Braga beat Nacional 2-0 on Friday, Benfica needed a win as well to remain in shared first place.
Argentinian Javier Saviola put Benfica ahead in the second minute after half time against Rio Ave, which was enough for his team to secure the three points.
Sporting Lisbon waited longer to score the winning goal against Leixoes, as Tonel broke the deadlock with just six minutes to go in the Portuguese capital.
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Benfica beat Porto in Portuguese classic
December 21, 2009
The Portuguese top clash between Benfica and FC Porto ended in a 1-0 win to the home side on Sunday.
A lot was at stake for both side as Benfica needed the win to move back into shared first place with Braga, while Porto craved the three points in order to move closer to the top spot.
The only goal was scored after 23 minutes, when Argentinian Javier Saviola was first to get to ball in the area before directing it into the far corner past keeper Helton.
Thanks to this result, Benfica rejoin Braga at the top but do have a better goal record than their fellow leaders. Porto are in third place, four points behind.
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Sporting earn narrow win at Naval
December 20, 2009
One goal in the first half was enough for Sporting Lisbon to earn a narrow but valuable win at Naval 1o de Maio on Saturday.
Sporting, who suffered a dissapointing defeat to Uniao de Leiria last week, scored the only goal through Carlos Saleiro in the 35th minute.
The capital city side are currently in fourth place, but could end up back in sixth if the two Funchal teams (Nacional and Maritimo) do well on Sunday.
Sporting Braga played on Friday and successfully defended their top spot with a 0-1 win at Pacos de Ferreira. Meyong Ze netted the winner shortly before the break.
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Sporting Braga drop points in Portuguese league
December 14, 2009
Sporting Braga failed to take distance of Benfica at the top of the Portuguese league, being held to a goalless draw by Naval 1º de Maio.
As Benfica drew 2-2 at Olhanense a day earlier, Braga had a perfect opportunity to leave their joint-leaders behind and go two points clear.
But the season revelations failed to hit the target in their home game with Naval, and as such have to share their lead for at least another week.
Moreover, the results of Benfica and Braga allowed defending champions Porto to reduce the gap with the top two to just one point.
Porto hosted last-placed Vitoria Setubal and took the lead through Ernesto Farias in the 22nd minute. Three minutes later, it was Silvestre Varela to double the gap.
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Lisbon sides drop points in Portuguese league
December 13, 2009
It was a bad day for Lisbon football in the Portuguese league, as Benfica were held to a 2-2 draw at Olhanense while Sporting lost 0-1 to Uniao de Leiria.
Relegation candidates Olhanense gave Benfica much more trouble than expected, and were very close to even winning the match.
Carlos Fernandes’ opening goal for Olhanense in the 10th minute was cancelled out by Argentinian Javier Saviola in the 29th, but Toy’s goal in minute 33 seemed to be enough for the hosts to secure the three points.
Benfica had the final say though, as Nuno Gomes made it 2-2 in the very last minute.
Olhanense had Djalmir sent off in the 25th minute, and Miguel Garcia followed near the full time whistle. Angel Di Maria was red-carded for Benfica in the 42nd minute.
Sporting Lisbon once again disappointed with a 0-1 defeat by Uniao de Leiria, who scored the only goal of the match through Paulo Vinicius in the 27th minute.
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Benfica back on top in Portugal
December 7, 2009
After spending several weeks in second place, Benfica are back in shared first following a convincing 4-0 win over Academica on Sunday.
Benfica needed a win to move back to the top of the Portuguese league as Sporting Braga dropped two points at Leixoes a day earlier.
And Coimbra-based Academica were no match from the start. Oscar Cardozo was particularly influential for Benfica, scoring in the 6th, 55th and 69th minutes. Argentinian Javiar Saviola found the target in minute 32.
Benfica and Braga share the top spot but the Lisbon outfit have a much better goal record.
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Sporting Braga held by Leixoes
December 6, 2009
Sporting Braga may well have to share their Portuguese lead again after this weekend’s games, following a 1-1 draw at Leixoes on Saturday.
Leixoes have been in dismal shape lately and are only one spot away from the danger zone.
But the troubled side received unexpected help in their match with Braga, as an own goal from Moises allowed them to take the lead after 33 minutes.
Braga did limit the damage however as Alan levelled the score with just two minutes left in regular time.
Benfica host Academica on Sunday and a win would have them share the top spot with Braga once again.
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Drogba´s worst World Cup nightmare comes true
December 5, 2009
Didier Drogba had a wish not to face England in the first round of the 2010 World Cup granted here on Friday, but that is where his happiness ended.
Ivory Coast, considered the African nation capable of going furthest, drew Brazil, North Korea and Portugal in Group G, and the Chelsea striker must be wondering what his country have done to offend the football gods.
When the west African ‘Elephants’ qualified for their first World Cup in Germany three years ago, they got Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and a raw team at the highest level made an inevitable first-round departure.
Now a similar fate awaits the Ivorians with Brazil and Portugal favoured to advance and the Africans possibly left with a third-place finish ahead of the mysterious men from the East, North Korea.
Drogba talked pre-draw of Ivory Coast reaching the semi-finals, but as he watched the draw in England, a last-four place must have been the last thing on his mind.
It is not that the ‘Elephants’ are lacking in stars with Drogba, fellow Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure and his older brother and Manchester City defender Kolo on their roster.
But Brazil have won the World Cup a record six times and are already being branded favourites for the title alongside in-form European countries England and Spain.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, full-back Maicon, playmaker Kaka and striker Luis Fabiano are just some of the gems in a crown nurtured by coach Dunga, a former World Cup winner himself.
And years of heavy investment in youth is paying dividends for Portugal, who were runners-up in Euro 2004 and fourth behind Italy, France and Germany at the last World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo will drive a Portuguese armada determined to prove they are much better than a European campaign that needed home and away play-off victories over Bosnia-Herzegovina to secure qualification.
A South African journalist dismissed North Korea as a “students team” after a recent loss to local league leaders SuperSport United during a tour of the region that also featured a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Zambia.
But dare anyone dismiss the ‘Red Mosquitos’ given a World Cup record that includes a stunning 1966 victory over Italy and a gallant 5-3 quarter-final loss to Portugal after leading by three goals?
CAPE TOWN (AFP)
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