This Week In Liga Portugal 2
All The Goings-on In Portugal’s Second Divison!
A dozen games into a league of unpredictable Portuguese futebol, highlights of this Jornada include: Vital Victory for Viseu, Capitão Coronas of Penafiel, Stevy Okitokandjo Finds a Way for Mafra and Controversial Point in Estoril.
Cova da Piedade v Penafiel
Jornada 12 of Liga Portugal 2 began again this fine Saturday winters morning, and once again it was Penafiel who took part in the weekends opening action. Pedro Ribeiro’s side picked up the win in their last match-day, making Penafiel now unbeaten in five. A win today would be a massive result for Penafidelenses. As it means they would be well in the race for promotion with a victory taking them level with the 4th and 3rd placed sides, Mafra and Feirense. The opposition though will have other ideas. Toni Pereira was the feel-good story last weekend as he won his battle with Covid-19 and returned to the Cova dugout for the first time in over a month, leading his side to a deserved victory over Varzim. However, Penafiel is not Varzim, Penafiel has 22 points more than Varzim and will prove to be a much tougher opponent for Pereira and Cova. Sadly for Cova da Piedade that was exactly the case. David Santos scored a great header after 31 minutes to give Penafiel the opening goal, in a first-half controlled by the away side. Cova looked better after the break though, even managing to get an equaliser after a shot rebounded off a Penafiel defender, allowing Pepo Santos to slot the ball past an off-balanced Luís Ribeiro in the Penafiel goal; Pepo’s first goal as a Cova player. However, Penafiel were determined to leave Almada with all three points, as former Cova player and current Penafiel capitão Coronas managed to put his hometown side ahead with a wonderful diving header. The points looked wrapped up in the 85th minute, when Paulo Henrique grabbed Penafiel’s third but Cova instantly replied when a long ball into the box resulted in Capela jumping into the Swiss-born João Oliveira, giving Piedade the penalty and some slight hope of getting back into the game. Thabo Cele returned to Liga Portugal 2 action today as a substitute just after half-time. Arguably Cova’s best player this season the South-African stepped up and converted the penalty confidently. Alas, for Cova it was only enough to be a consolation as Penafiel held out for another big win. Unbeaten in six, Penafiel rise to 5th for now.
Full-Time Cova 2-3 Penafiel
Photo: SABSEG Liga Portugal 2
Ac Viseu v Chaves
One of the more interesting encounters of the weekend is Viseu versus Chaves. Viseu currently find themselves in the relegation zone, but they aren’t a bad side. Pedro Duarte’s men boast one of the best defences in the Liga, the problem they have is scoring goals with Viseu only scoring four goals all season. Chaves on the other hand returned to winning ways last Jornada after being winless in three, a hard-fought victory over Covilhã that was decided by a well-rehearsed corner. Carlos Pinto’s, Chaves, are the favourites for the match but they are also prone to the odd slip-up, and there are questions of their legitimacy as promotion contenders. Quite the game it was as Viseu created chances and looked solid at the back once again, although, 'Os Viriatos' then conceded a goal far too easily when Bachi played a simple ball over the top to find his Chaves attacking partner Roberto, who made the run between the uninvolved Viseu centre-backs to strike the ball in mid-air and grab the games opener for Chaves. The rest of the game was a back and forward encounter with Chaves trying to put the match to bed whilst Viseu were plugging away for an equaliser. Viseu never did give up and in the 85th minute, Félix Mathaus was the man who grabbed the much sought after equaliser for Viseu. A point would have been a good result for Viseu in the grand scheme of things, but in the space of three minutes, Pedro Duarte’s men had turned that one point into three. Rafael Viegas foolishly bringing down João Vasco for a penalty, 26-year old Australian, Anthony Carter with ice in his veins successful with his penalty attempt, giving Viseu the crucial win. You can see in the players’ celebrations that this win means so much, as Académico de Viseu escape the relegation zone and ascend to 14th.
Full-Time Ac Viseu 2-1 Chaves
Varzim v Feirense
TEN! that is how many games bottom of the table Varzim have now played in a row without a win in Liga Portugal 2. They face 3rd place Feirense, who will be hoping to keep up the pace with Académica and Estoril. After a solid win against Benfica B last time out, Feirense will fancy their chances of getting the win this Sunday morning. A result for Varzim would be very surprising - and welcomed - but at the end of the day its futbol and anything can, and probably will happen. But the script went as predicted, Varzim continue their winless streak while Feirense keeps up the chase at the top. The goals coming from Abraham Marcus, a simple tap in that hit the bar and almost didn’t go in amazingly - fortunately for Marcus though, it did cross the line and was noticed by the officials. The fortune continued for Feirense, as Varzim then conceded an own goal from Boubakary Diarra after the ball struck keeper Ricardo Nunes and then Diarra before it found itself in the net. No changes to the status quo in Northern Portugal.
Full-Time Varzim 0-2 Feirense
Mafra v Oliveirense
‘‘If I could turn back time If I could find a way”. Never in the 55-years of history for Clube Desportivo Mafra, has the legendary singer Cher been so relevant to the Lisbon based club, even though her debut album was coincidently released the same year of Mafra’s founding in 1965, its the words of her 1989 hit that will resonate most with the Mafra players. As just a couple games ago they looked like one of the most frightening teams in the Liga, but now in present time, two consecutive defeats have brought reality back to Filipe Cândido and his men about how difficult escaping the II Liga is. Today’s opponents Oliveirense will begin this match in the relegation zone after Viseu picked up a big victory yesterday. UDO were hoping for a similar underdog story, and after 66 minutes it looked like it was becoming a reality, with Dionathã chipping the keeper for the opener, before being followed shortly after by Mateus Raniel doubling the lead. Mafra were once again wishing they could turn back time, but thankfully, Stevy Okitokandjo managed to find the way for Mafra to get back into the game, converting a penalty that clipped the inside of the post. Okitokandjo then followed up his routine penalty with a goal that was anything but routine, the Dutchmen controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed home into the bottom corner - from outside the box - grabbing himself a brace and Mafra’s all so crucial equaliser. That was all the magic Okitokandjo could conjure up as Oliveirense gave Mafra their first draw of the season, a result they would have been happy with before the game but it's hard for UDO to see this as anything other than two points dropped after such a good performance. Mafra’s promotion hopes meanwhile are crumbling with every passing Jornada.
Full-Time Mafra 2-2 Oliveirense
Photo: SABSEG Liga Portugal 2
Académica v Casa Pia
In last weekends recap, I stated that Casa Pia has the potential for promotion, with two big victories in consecutive Jornada’s against two tough teams Mafra and Chaves. But Casa still, only remain dark horses for promotion and today’s test will answer a lot of questions, in regards to wither Filipe Martins side do in fact, have that potential of being promoted. They face Académica, a side who will definitely be amongst the promotion contenders come the end of the season. It doesn’t get much more difficult than Rui Borges’s men, as Académica sit 2nd in the Liga and will be looking to climb to 1st - at least until Estoril play on Monday -. The question still lingers regarding Casa Pia, Académica on the other hand; there is no doubt that they have a side capable of playing in Liga Nos next campaign. A quiet first-half were the side from Coimbra saw Rafael dismissed for two yellow cards after just half an hour. Casa Pia then took advantage of the situation, grabbing the lead through Zach Muscat near the hour mark. Guinea-Bissau international, João Mário managed to tie the game up, although mere moments later, Fabiano Silva joined his teammate Rafael in the dressing room after he also saw red, leaving Académica with only nine players on the field for the remaining fifteen minutes -plus injury time -. Rui Borges and his remaining nine did manage to hold on for the draw and remain second just a point off Estoril, Casa Pia have missed a big opportunity here.
Full-Time Académica 1-1 Casa Pia
Benfica B v Vizela
Sunday presents a mid-table clash at 3 pm, that could end up being a goal-fest as both sides will be looking to get away from the bottom and as close to the top of the Liga as possible. Benfica B have improved since Liga Portugal 2 returned from the international break, however, Benfica’s recent wins were under favourable circumstances and last weekends loss to Feirense could spiral the 'Young Eagles' back into their losing ways. Both their victories in Jornada 9 and 10 were against an affected by Covid Cova da Piedade, and a bottom of the table desperate for a win Varzim. Vizela on the other hand, are in their best form of the season so far unbeaten in their previous three games - only failing to find the net in one Jornada this season. Sadly we weren’t treated to a goal-fest. 18-year old Henrique Araújo grabbed an early opener for Benfica B, before Vizela’s 31-year old forward Cassiano managed to convert yet another penalty - also scoring from the spot last week against Viseu -, just before half-time. There wasn’t much action to be found in the second half and both sides go home sharing the spoils after 90 minutes.
Full-Time Benfica B 1-1 Vizela
Arouca v Covilhã
Arouca and Covilhã, these are two of the sides that will face off against each other among this weekends fixtures with there being very little between them. Covilhã were flying, but two defeats in their last two outings in very competitive matches with Académica and Chaves has halted the Lions climbing up the Liga. Arouca returned to winning ways in their last matchup and will be hoping for no more slip up’s as they sit high in 5th place, in touching distance with the other sides occupying the top of Liga Portugal 2. A tame affair with Covilhã being particularly disappointing, Arouca continue their promotion push now level with 4th place Mafra, the only goal of the game came from André Bukia, finding himself free in the box for an easy finish and a scrappy goal.
Full-Time Arouca 1-0 Sporting Covilhã
Estoril v Porto B
The luxurious coastal town of Estoril, in the Portuguese Riviera, hosts Jornada 12’s concluding match-up - not counting the rescheduled Vilafran Leixões game -. First place Estoril will be trying to solidify their place at the top, while the visitors, Porto B will be hoping to get anything from this game and to avoid returning to their previous pattern of straight losses. It was a game of drama at the Estadio António Coimbra da Mota. Porto B dominated the first-half with Chico Conceição again shining, playing as if he was in fast forward at times; the recently turned 18-year old wonder-kid got Porto the deserved opener when he drifted in from the wing to fire a shot at goal that deflected in off the Estoril defender Hugo Gomes. The second-half was mostly Estoril but Porto B held on well throughout the match, a great performance from goalkeeper Claudio Ramos was a big reason why but sadly for Ramos, he would not keep his clean sheet. A very controversial penalty was given when Carles Soria flung himself to the floor after the slightest of touches in the box and in the 100th minute - due to the added time-, André Clovis converted past a furious Claudio Ramos, snatching a point for 'Estorilistas' with the last kick of the game. Porto remains in the thick of the relegation fight at 13th, while Estoril continues to lead Liga Portugal 2.
Full-Time Estoril 1-1 Porto B
