ALGARVE FOOTBALL - FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Last night's Primeira Liga result

Note for those wishing to go to the MONDAY night game at Portimonense. They are now selling tickets on line via http://www.blueticket.pt/Event/3269/LIGA-NOS-PORTIMONENSE---MARITIMO

Ref the above, I am thinking that whichever idiot compiles the fixtures didn't notice that Maritimo were playing a Europa League match in Kiev last night. That return trip to Madeira then coming back to the mainland for a Sunday game would have been no fun.

Last night Superliga result

Portimonense 1 - 2 Maritimo att 2582 (ground just over half full)

A stoppage-time winner cost Portimonense the game after they had equalised in the 86th minute. Just the one win in their first four games and they are down in 14th place.

Last weekend's results next weekend's games

Portugal League Cup 2nd Round

Portimonense 3 - 1 Chaves att 1257 (the game was moved to Saturday afternoon for TV, it's very difficult to keep checking for these late changes.)

Portugal FA Cup 1st Round results for Algarve teams

Louletano 1 -1 Castrense a.e.t Louletano won 4-2 on penalties
Almodovar 5 - 2 Quarteirense
Armacanenses 0 - 1 Moncarapachense
Oriental 1 - 2 Lusitano VRSA
Farense 7 - 1 Estrala Vendas Novas
Olhanense 3 - 1 Almancil
Ferreiras 2 - 5 Moura 5 a.e.t

I went to Ferreiras. Their player Geremi, who came on as sub with about 15 minutes remaining of normal time, made a contribution that won't forgotten for some time. A minute after coming on, he was booked for tripping an opponent on the half way line. Totally unnecessary.  Five minutes later, he scored a really good goal to put Ferreiras 2-1 up, a first time strike from 20 yards after the defence failed to clear. Straight from the kickoff he repeated his earlier offence, in the same place. Second yellow, he was sent off and Moura equalised from the resulting free kick with just 3 minutes of normal time remaining.

Moura started extra time with the kind of goal that looks really good when it works, player sees 'keeper off his line from 50 yards away, executes a perfect chip shot over his head and into the back of the net.

Moura dominated the extra time, Ferreiras looked tired, in after all, what was their first competitive game of the season. They didn't give up, hitting the crossbar twice. Many of the crowd of around 200 had drifted away by then.

Overall the football varied in quality on a very hot afternoon. Ferreiras first goal and Moura's last ditch equaliser would have graced a higher stage as they say. Moura had scored an early penalty to take the lead. The second half though was pretty dire, until those lively last few minutes. Half the Imortal team were there, watching their local rivals in preparation for the derby on 1st November.

Next weekend's fixtures

Superliga Nos

Friday 8th September

Benfica v Portimonense ko 2100hrs /9pm

Campeonato Nacional Seniores (3rd Tier) Group E

Games in the Algarve, both ko 1700hrs / 5pm

Olhanense v Louletano        
Moncarapachense    v    Armacenenses    
   
Everyone else is away   

Portugal League Cup Third Round

This will be played in groups of four, each team playing others once. Portimonense haven't done too badly. Their three games, dates and times to be confirmed will be :

Away to Maritimo (Madeira) 20th September
Home to União Madeira end October
Home to to Sporting (Lisbon) end  November.

ALGARVE LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

This begins on 30th September.  Both our local Division Two clubs, Guia and Paderne, will be at home. Confirmed ko times in due course.

LAST WEEKEND'S RESUTLS NEXT WEEKEND'S GAMES

Liga NOS

Benfica 2 - 1 Portimonense att 52795

Portimonense are 16th of 18 teams, their only points having come from the opening day win against Boavista.

Their next game is at home on MONDAY 18th September, v Feirense, ko 1900hrs /  7pm.

After that they are required to travel all the way to Madeira for a League Cup match 2 days later! (However most of the first team squad won't be involved.) Then it's off to Porto, before their home match on Saturday 30th September v Aves, ko 1600hrs / 4pm.

Then there is a weekend off because of the World Cup qualifiers

Campeonato Portugal (3rd Tier) Group E results for Algarve teams

Operario 0 - 0 Almancil
Ideal SC 4 - 0 Lusitano VRSA
Olhanense 1 - 0 Louletano
Moncarapachense 2 - 0 Armacanense
Pinhalnovense 0 - 1 Farense

Farense are top, nine points from three matches. They are the only team with a 100% record. Third are Olhanense with seven points, fourth Moncarapachense with six.

Next Sunday's games in the Algarve, all ko 1700hrs / 5pm

Farense v Casa Pia
Louletano v Operario
Almancil v Moura
Lusitano VRSA v Olhanense
Armacanenses v Pinhalnovense

The national Women's League gets under way next weekend with the region's only team, Guia, being away.

The Algarve League First Division starts on 23rd September, the Second Division follows a week later.

Benfica are not allowed to lose to 'minor' teams. Officialdom sees to that.

They might just as well have the big three teams play each every week for the title and Champions League seedings and let the rest fight among themselves for the scraps.