Porto join Benfica in League Cup final
February 11, 2010
The 2010 final of the Portuguese League Cup will feature a dream encounter of two of the nation’s top sides, Benfica and Porto.
Benfica were the much stronger team in Tuesday’s semi final encounter with local rivals Sporting, beating their opponents 1-4. David Luiz, Ramires, Luisao and Oscar Cardozo scored for the away side, and only Liedson found the target for the hosts.
The second semi final took place on Wednesday as Porto beat Academica de Coimbra 1-0 at O Dragao stadium.
The defending league champions did struggle in their home match but finally broke the deadlock through Mariano Gonzalez in the 81st minute.
Benfica are the defending League Cup champions after beating Sporting in last year’s final.
Tags: academica de coimbra, benfica, Coimbra, cup champions, david luiz, deadlock, dragao stadium, final encounter, home match, hosts, league champions, luisao, mariano gonzalez, opponents, oscar cardozo, PORTO, portuguese league, ramires, rivals, struggle, targetRelated posts
Portugal: FC Porto held by Belenenses
October 31, 2009
FC Porto risk losing touch with the top of the Portuguese league following a surprise 1-1 draw with Belenenses on Friday.
With only seven points from their first eight games, Belenenses haven’t been able to establish themselves in the top half of the table like they managed to do in recent seasons.
Nevertheless, the Lisbon outfit caused Porto the necessary amount of trouble on Friday and even took the lead through Lima in the first minute after the break.
Fans at O Dragao stadium weren’t left entirely empty-handed however, as Ernesto Farias netted the equalizer three minutes after the hour.
The two leaders, Sporting Braga and Benfica, face each other on Saturday and the winner of that match will extend their lead over third-placed Porto to four points.
Jonathan Roorda
Tags: belenenses, benfica, Braga, dragao stadium, eight games, ernesto farias, four points, Lima, Lisbon, match, O Dragao, PORTO, portugal, risk, seven points, sporting braga, surprise, three minutes, werenRelated posts
Ronaldo´s best ´can fire United to quintuple´
April 16, 2009
MANCHESTER (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo insists the best goal of his career will provide Manchester United with a springboard to complete their bid to win five trophies in one season.
Ronaldo’s stunning long-range strike clinched a 1-0 quarter-final second leg victory at Porto on Wednesday to set up a Champions League semi-final meeting with English rivals Arsenal.
Now Ronaldo wants United to use the momentum of their 3-2 aggregate win to help see off Everton in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final and then Portsmouth in next Wednesday’s crucial Premier League clash.
United, who have already won the League Cup and Club World Cup this season, remain on course for an unprecedented haul of five trophies. And Ronaldo is convinced the Old Trafford outfit can add the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League to that haul.
“We have an opportunity to win everything and we are very confident that we can,” he said.
“We did not play fantastic in the last five or six games but we expect the next ones will be better because of what we did against Porto.”
Such was the power and accuracy of Ronaldo’s 40-yard effort at the Dragao Stadium that the Portugal winger was unable to think of a better goal in his illustrious career.
“It is the best goal I have scored,” he said. “It was a fantastic strike and I can’t wait to see it again on DVD. I am very happy with it.”
Meanwhile, United and England striker Wayne Rooney admits his side’s semi-final showdown with Arsenal will be a substantial test of their quality.
The Gunners have the advantage of playing the second leg at the Emirates Stadium and Rooney said: “It will be a difficult game. They are a good team of course. Hopefully it will be two exciting games.
“Rretaining the trophy is something we are really focused on. It is a great opportunity for us to do that, having reached the semi-finals.”
Tags: best goal, club world cup, cristiano ronaldo, dragao stadium, exciting games, FA Cup, final showdown, gunners, illustrious career, manchester united, old trafford, premier league, ronaldo, semi finals, six games, springboard, substantial test, UEFA Champions League, wayne rooney, winger, yard effortRelated posts
Manchester United stun Porto in Champions League
April 16, 2009
PORTO, Portugal (AFP) – Manchester United rekindled glorious European nights from their past as a stunning goal by Cristiano Ronaldo fired them to victory over Porto in their Champions League quarter-final Wednesday.
No English team had ever beaten the Portuguese champions on their own soil, but the winger’s first-half wonder strike gave his team a 1-0 win on the night, 3-2 on aggregate, to set up an all-English semi-final tie with Arsenal.
Coming into the game as underdogs after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last week, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson urged his players to bring the spirit of the 1999 treble winning team to the Dragao Stadium in what was his 150th Champions League match.
One flash of genius from the Portuguese maestro coupled with gritty defensive play earned United glory and keeps the red half of Manchester dreaming of the quintuple.
The United handler was like a little schoolboy at the end jumping up and down in delight.
“It doesn’t matter who you play when it is your 150th game!” beamed Ferguson.
“150 games is a long time! I thought we defended very well and we had restored stability at the back with (Nemanja) Vidic and (Rio) Ferdinand reunited which is a solid partnership and they understand each other so well.
“I couldn’t see too much danger from Porto really, save some half chances but nothing more than that.”
Ferguson started with the same formation as the first leg but had the luxury of picking a fit Ferdinand in defence while midfielder Anderson was given a start against his old club.
The Dragons from Porto were intent on making the same type of start which rocked United last week, but after a promising opening they were stunned by a sixth minute rocket from Ronaldo.
There seemed no danger when the winger drove into the Porto half, but the World Player of the Year took a swing of his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 35-yards into the top left-hand corner of Helton’s goal.
“That was maybe one of my best strikes,” conceded Ronaldo.
“Anderson gave me the ball and when I turned I knew I was going to go for a shot. It was intentional,” added Ronaldo, who admitted that being played up front was not his favourite spot.
Ferguson was in awe of the goal.
“It was unbelievable. It was a magnificent hit,” purred Ferguson.
The home team’s attacks were disjointed, and it was through set-plays where they were looking most dangerous with defender Bruno Alves firing a 30-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the post.
United had been undone by the Portuguese team’s slick positional interchange at Old Trafford, and again it was when Cristian Rodriguez drifted in from the left-wing that they looked dangerous.
The Uruguay winger found space on the edge of the area and floated a ball to Lucho Gonzalez but the midfielder’s acrobatic volley was easily saved by Edwin van der Sar.
Things got worse for Porto when midfield general Lucho was forced of with an injury to be replaced by last week’s hero Mariano.
One of the misses of the season prevented United registering a perfect half which would probably have put the tie beyond their hosts.
Ryan Giggs whipped in a corner which found Vidic after Dimitar Berbatov’s flick. Virtually on the goalline and with the goalkeeper nowhere, the Serb somehow sliced the ball over the crossbar.
The game settled into a less frantic pattern than the first-half as United drew numbers back and invited their hosts to play in-front of them.
With their defence looking much more solid than the first leg, the visitors were restricting Porto to long-range shots, midfielder Raul Meireles coming closest with a 25-yard curler over the crossbar.
Again set-plays threatened United and centre-back Rolando should have equalised from Meireles’s corner, but put his header wide of the goal with van der Sar floundering.
There was time for one last scare for the visitors but Lisandro Lopez hit his six-yard shot straight at van der Sar with the goal gaping.
Tags: aggregate, Anderson, Bruno Alves, champions league, Cristian Rodriguez, dragao stadium, Edwin van der, Ferdinand, Gonzalez, left hand corner, maestro, Manchester, manchester united, Mariano, midfielder, nemanja vidic, PORTO, porto portugal, portugal, Raul Meireles, right foot, rio ferdinand, Rolando, ronaldo, ryan giggs, schoolboy, sir alex ferguson, UEFA Champions League, underdogs, uruguay, winger, winning team, world player of the yearRelated posts
Quick Report: FC Porto 0-1 Manchester United
April 16, 2009
Defending European champions Manchester United are through to the semi finals of this year’s Champions League, beating FC Porto 0-1 following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Manchester didn’t need long to score the opening goal at Porto’s O Dragao stadium, as Cristiano Ronaldo silenced the home crowd in the sixth minute.
Back in his home country, the Portuguese forward launched a powerful strike from more than 30 meters and keeper Helton never stood a chance as the ball slammed into the upper left corner.
United continued to be the stronger side throughout the match and although Porto tried some attacks in the final phase, the English visitors held on to their lead to advance to the semi finals.
Written by:
Tags: champions league, cristiano ronaldo, dragao stadium, english visitors, european champions, final phase, Helton, home crowd, Manchester, manchester united, match, O Dragao, PORTO, portuguese, ronaldo, semi finals, UEFA Champions LeagueRelated posts
Ferdinand back as United look for classic night
April 15, 2009
PORTO, Portugal (AFP) – Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson issued a rallying cry to his team before throwing down the gauntlet to his Porto counterpart ahead of their crunch Champions League quarter-final battle.
United go into Wednesday’s second-leg tie in Porto, where no English team has won in 11 attempts, on the back-foot after only managing a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last Tuesday.
Twice winner of the competition, Ferguson urged his team to draw on classic performances from United’s illustrious European past to give them strength when they visit the Dragao Stadium.
“Hopefully the players will realise the opportunity they have tomorrow. It’s not as if we are going there without a big chance, we can turn it around,” he said Tuesday.
“We all have to be up for it and we’re all going to have to step up to the plate,” he warned.
“I trust these players. They deserve it for their big games in Europe over the past three or four years, for their displays in Milan and Barcelona.”
“There are plenty of European performances we would like to replicate, we’re not short of them. I suppose the one would be Juventus,” the Scot said, referring to the 1999 semi-final in Turin when United came from two goals down to win.
The evergreen Paul Scholes and Gary Neville are the two remaining survivors from that epic win and will be available. Ferguson confirmed that defender Rio Ferdinand will start after missing two weeks with a groin injury.
“The experience and quality will obviously make a difference and gives us the Ferdinand, Vidic partnership which has been the cornerstone of great defensive performances this season,” Ferguson said of his England centre-back.
Porto dazzled United with their sparkling attacking football at Old Trafford and the former Aberdeen boss is hoping their hosts play the same way in the return leg, knowing an open game is probably his team’s best chance.
“It’s a pleasure being involved in Europe and tomorrow will be the same,” the long-serving boss said. “The atmosphere will be fantastic, and we’re playing a good team in a good stadium.”
“It’ll be a good game but I don’t know if it’ll be an open game. That depends on Porto,” he added.
It seems the United boss will have little to worry about as Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira, who spoke before Ferguson, scoffed at suggestions his team would try to play out a draw.
“I would never tell a team to play below their capabilities. We have our own identity and we don’t know how to play any other way,” said Ferreira.
Ferreira played down the significance of Porto’s home dominance over English teams but backed his players to extend their proud record.
“Only two or three of these players have played against English teams so history has no bearing on this game,” he reasoned.
“There will be over 50,000 people in the stadium tomorrow and I hope not to hear the away supporters.
“The easy way to control emotions is through control of the game, they are together side-by-side. That is what we will do tomorrow,” he predicted.
The former Benfica manager claimed that his players were unaffected by their favourites tag and said they were not scared of FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be returning to his homeland.
“Our expectations are exactly the same as they were before the first game, our players know what they have got to do,” he said.
“United is probably the best team in the world, but we’ve played well against Ronaldo, and if he is human, so are the rest.”
Tags: Aberdeen, alex ferguson, Barcelona, big games, classic performances, counterpart, crunch, dragao stadium, England, Europe, Ferdinand, gary neville, last tuesday, leg tie, manchester united, Milan, open game, paul scholes, PORTO, porto portugal, portugal, rallying cry, return leg, Rio, rio ferdinand, ronaldo, Scot, throwing down the gauntlet, turin, UEFA Champions League, vidicRelated posts
Porto coach banned from touchline for United clash
April 15, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira will watch Wednesday’s Champions League return against Manchester United from the bench after UEFA ruled on appeal an initial two-game ban for misconduct should be cut to that one match.
Ferreira had initially received a two-match ban for criticising the referee in the previous round against Atletico Madrid on February 24, when Porto had a ruled out.
Ferreira took his place in the dugout at Old Trafford pending the appeal but will now have to watch fron the sidelines at the Dragao stadium as his team seek to put out the holders having drawn the away leg 2-2.
UEFA meanwhile upheld a 25,000 euros fine against Porto fans for insulting chanting and throwing projectiles in Madrid.
Tags: atletico madrid, bench, champions league, clash, coach, dragao stadium, dugout, Ferreira, game ban, Jesualdo, LigaBwin, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, match, old trafford, PARIS, PORTO, projectiles, referee, sidelines, touchline, uefaRelated posts
United suffer setback in tie against Porto
April 8, 2009
MANCHESTER (AFP) – Manchester United are in danger of losing their grip on the Champions League after the holders were held to a 2-2 draw by Porto in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side looked to have earned a barely deserved victory when Carlos Tevez stabbed United into the lead with five minutes to play at Old Trafford.
But Porto substitute Mariano equalised four minutes later to give the visitors just reward for an impressive display and leave United almost certainly needing to become the first English side to win at Porto’s stadium next week.
Jesualdo Ferreira’s side had gone ahead early in the first half through Cristian Rodriguez and could have been further in front before a calamitous mistake from Bruno Alves set up Wayne Rooney’s equaliser.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, United looked nervous in defence and short of urgency in attack. Now they face a testing trip to the Dragao Stadium next Wednesday knowing only a victory or an extremely high-scoring draw will keep alive their hopes of retaining the Champions League trophy.
“The result was about right. First half they were the better side but second half we improved and got more possession,” Ferguson said.
“But getting the (second) goal the way they did – we should really have defended that. It was a bad goal to lose.
“It’s been a hard two days for them but they were lacking in concentration.
“You get a 2-1 lead with four or five minutes left, you really should see it out. It’s a difficult game now in Porto, no question of that.”
Ferreira added: “In the first half we were the team that attacked more and had more corners. In the second half we were able to keep out United’s attacks.
“We had a good reaction to United’s second goal. It is a joy to see my team play like this.”
After staging a dramatic late fightback to beat Aston Villa on Sunday, Ferguson had expected the momentum from Federico Macheda’s winner to give his players enough adrenaline to ignore their aching limbs as they returned to action 48 hours later.
He couldn’t have been more wrong. Although they enjoying a record-breaking run of cleansheets earlier this season, United’s defence has sprung a few leaks in recent weeks.
They looked no more secure in the opening minutes here. Lisandro Lopez, Porto’s Argentine striker, almost took advantage as he sprinted past Jonny Evans and forced Edwin van der Sar into a sprawling save.
Porto attacked United’s soft centre again in the fourth minute and this time they were able to punish another sloppy piece of defending.
When Cristiano Ronaldo lost the ball, Lucho Gonzalez crossed towards Rodriguez, but Evans should have cleared easily. Instead he scuffed only as far as Rodriguez, who drove a fine low strike past van der Sar into the far corner.
United had been far too careless in possession but they sparked into life when Ronaldo met John O’Shea’s cross with a header that Helton pushed away for a corner.
That hardly amounted to a ceaseless assault however, which made Alves’s spectacular implosion in the 15th minute so hard to understand.
Under no pressure at all, the Porto defender passed back to Helton without looking. Alves hadn’t noticed Rooney lurking behind him and the United striker gratefully seized the gift before clipping a deft finish past Helton.
Despite that lifeline, there was still no sign that United had found their rhythm.
While United laboured, Porto looked impressive whenever they went forward and van der Sar was at full stretch to turn over a long-range shot from Raul Meireles.
After watching such a lacklustre effort from his players, Ferguson must have been tempted to give them the full ‘hairdryer’ treatment at half-time.
United responded at last and Rooney produced a superb chip from 30 yards that Helton just managed to tip over. From the resulting corner Vidic headed goalwards but Helton made a brilliant stop to deny the Serbian.
The Portuguese champions kept their nerve and Lisandro’s skimming strike needed an alert stop from van der Sar before Aly Cissokho tested the United keeper from long-range.
This was no way for United to celebrate their 100th home game in the European Cup and Ferguson made his last two changes, opting to leave Italian sensation Marcheda on the bench and send on Tevez and Gary Neville instead.
Tevez made an instant impact. In the 85th minute Rooney flicked on Neville’s throw and Tevez showed great determination to turn the ball home from close-range.
But Porto refused to accept defeat and staged the kind of dramatic finale that United have made their trademark.
Lisandro swept over an 89th minute cross that O’Shea could only help on to Mariano and the Porto substitute stabbed his shot over van der Sar. It was no more than Porto deserved.
Written by: AFP
Tags: aching limbs, Argentine, Bruno Alves, carlos tevez, champions league trophy, cristian, Cristian Rodriguez, deserved victory, dragao stadium, Edwin van der, federico macheda, Ferguson, Ferreira, fightback, five minutes, four minutes, gary neville, Gonzalez, John O'Shea, Manchester, manchester united, Mariano, old trafford, PORTO, Raul Meireles, ronaldo, sir alex ferguson, team play, UEFA Champions League, urgency, wayne rooneyRelated posts
United set for revenge mission
April 7, 2009
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United will be motivated by revenge when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side face Porto in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
After storming back to the top of the Premier League with a dramatic, late 3-2 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday, United turn their attention to Europe and the chance to resolve some unfinished business.
Porto dumped United out of the Champions League in 2004 when the Portuguese club, then managed by Jose Mourinho, followed a 2-1 home win with a 1-1 draw in the return.
Mourinho’s famous jig of delight down the touchline when Porto scored their decisive late goal at Old Trafford remains one of the Champions League’s most enduring images.
It is still a source of angst among United fans, so it was no surprise they took extra pleasure when Ferguson’s team knocked out Mourinho’s current side Inter Milan in the last 16 this season.
Now United can complete the second half of their revenge mission by eliminating Porto.
United defender John O’Shea admits the bitter memories of that 2004 defeat will provide the reigning champions with all the incentive they need to blow away Jesualdo Ferreira’s team at Old Trafford.
“That was a tough one to take. Paul Scholes had a goal disallowed that was onside and the sight of Mourinho dancing down the touchline was not a happy one for many people,” O’Shea said.
“It is one of those things that we want to put to bed.”
United, unbeaten on home soil in 19 European games, will be bolstered by the return of Wayne Rooney, Scholes and Nemanja Vidic after the trio missed the Villa match through suspension.
A substantial victory on Tuesday would put United in pole position going into the second leg at the Dragao Stadium next week, but Porto finished top of their group before knocking out Atletico Madrid on away goals and Ferguson is warning against complancency.
“We’ve done the work on Porto. I’ve watched DVDs of their last six matches. Also they beat Arsenal 2-0 this season and played very well that day,” Ferguson said.
“Lisandro Lopez is a finisher, a real striker. I’m very mindful of the last time we met. It will be a difficult tie.”
Porto’s hopes of a positive result will rest on the finishing of Lisandro and the cultured promptings of his Argentinian colleague Lucho Gonzalez, back after missing Saturday’s 3-1 win over Guimaraes through suspension.
The duo have scored six goals between them in Europe this season and, together with powerful Brazilian forward Hulk, they could prove troublesome for a United defence that has looked fragile in recent weeks.
After a record-breaking run of cleansheets earlier in the season, United have conceded eight goals in their last three games and were exposed again by Villa on Sunday.
With that in mind, the groin injury that kept Rio Ferdinand out against Villa, and could sideline the England defender again on Tuesday, couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Despite their defensive worries, United, who would face either Arsenal or Villarreal in the semi-finals, are firm favourites to reach the final in Rome.
But Republic of Ireland defender O’Shea insists they can’t afford to look further ahead than Porto.
“The minute the draw was made, friends started to text me saying they couldn’t believe we had got the easy half,” he said.
“But once you start thinking like that, you take your eye off the ball and we cannot allow that to happen to us.
“We have to maintain focus and concentrate. I am sure Porto are not looking forward to coming to Old Trafford because of our record but they will still think they can win.”
Written by: AFP
Tags: bitter memories, dragao stadium, enduring images, England, English Premier League, Europe, european games, Gonzalez, home soil, inter milan, john o shea, John O'Shea, Jose, jose mourinho, LigaBwin, MADRID, Manchester, Milan, old trafford, one of the champions, paul scholes, PORTO, portuguese club, republic of ireland, revenge mission, Rio, ROME, side face, sir alex ferguson, touchline, UEFA Champions League, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Porto make no mistakes against Naval
March 16, 2009
FC Porto did what was needed to earn a 2-0 win over Naval Primeiro de Maio on Sunday, and maintain their four-points advantage over Sporting Lisbon.
About 30 minutes had been played at Porto’s O Dragao stadium when the home side took the lead through Mariano. Eight minutes after the hour, Argentinian Lucho Gonzalez added a second to secure the three points.
With eight games to go, Porto are on course to win the title as Sporting Lisbon have four points less, with Benfica following at five.
Written by:
Tags: 30 minutes, dragao stadium, eight games, fc porto, four points, Gonzalez, jonathan, LigaBwin, Lisbon, lucho gonzalez, Mariano, O Dragao, PORTO, primeiro de maio, sporting lisbonRelated posts
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