 02-12-06, 02:14 PM | #46 (permalink) |
| Used In Squad Rotation Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 366 Thanks: 74 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0 | 
November 2006 Review  vs  Portugese Liga de Honra Week 9
Our month started with a home tie with Gondomar. The odds were all for us, but the my teeth was still very sensitive so I had to cut out on screaming the instrucitions, replacing it with calling player over to myself. I couldn't talk too much either as then it started to hurt and as I like to press my teeth together it hurts already enough.
The injury crisis were fading away with almost everyone fit enough to play, though not ready to start when talking about the lastest recoveries. Cristovao had also apologised to me, but he wasn't starting as I made no change to the line-up that faced Penafiel.
I was hoping and sure of a win, but I got once again a shocker as we were really struggling in the opening period and it ended up with Gondomar scoring in the 19th.
Induvidual skill of Pedro Moita almost drawed the game as we were getting back after the goal, having lion share of possession. And the praise finally game soon enough. 70 yarder pass from our right-back Joao Pedro, who by the way has the same name as one striker in the team (who hasn't scored though), found Leandro Tatu in the wing. Tatu made a little run down there until reaching the touchline, crossing in for our African talent Xavier, who headed it in with some good technique.
We bursted couple of great chances before half-time, but it didn't even take a minute after the restart for us to grab a lead. Captain Bruno China, this time had a shot on goal, not at me, but it was saved. Luckily for us it fell to Pedro Moita who ran into the box from the wing, putting in yet another bomber in the near post as he is the star of our campaign so far.
After our goal things got little out of hands in defence as I had replaced both of our full-backs. It did no help for the equalizer though as it was sloted in from couple of yards on the 70th minute.
Jorge Duarte almost scored the winner in the 2nd minute of injury time, but it was just over the goal and it ended in a disappointing 2:2 draw as we once again gave easy points away.
Portugese Cup
I met with unknown Terros do Bouro in the cup in middle of the week. I tried to find something about them, but got almost nothing. Only some line-ups and results, not even a logo. I was playing unknown.
That's the reason why I opted to play the best players, and the Portugese system is nice too as there are no midweek games in the Liga de Honra so I don't have to worry about overtiring the players probably. I wanted to play some top division side though and only way to do that was via the cup and hopefully I could see where I have weak spots in case I get lucky with opponents.
I was totally shocked when it took us 32 minutes to finally open the damn score as Leandro Tatu converted a Bruno China pass. Ten minutes later Pedro Moita headed in a Nuno Silva corner that also made sure that we'll go to the HT with 2:0 lead.
Some fantastic passes were converted into a goal from Pedro Cervantes in the middle of the second half as Bruno China and striker Joao Pedro also played big part in the move. Moita added a second to his tally in the 65th minute to make it 4:0.
Moita was in action for our 5th goal too, crossing in from the right wing for striker version of Joao Pedro (two Joao Pedro's in the team - read above) who empty-netted his first goal of the season. He added another one rather similiar way, though the pass was from different place as Pedro Cervantes had broken into the box before assisting Pedro.
Jorge Duarte bomber made it 7:0 as we were totally cracking up our opponents in the final 20 minutes of the game.
We didn't stop yet and soon after captain Bruno China sent in a full-back Joao Pedro's cross with his head. That was also the last goal of the match and we got a good cup win of 8:0.
 vs Portugese Liga de Honra Week 10
I had a must win match in the schedule away at Chaves in the league. They had only collected 3 points all season long so far so it was a brilliant chance to leave the relegation zone even further behind as them and Trofense were seriously far behind the bunch.
Without no serious injuries I made no changes to the squad that faced Gondomar, but I was a little more cautious.
The game started even, but in the 27th minute it was me who grabed the lead after Pedro Moita ran riot in the opponent defence making a 50 yard run and then having his saved shot falling to Xavier who sent the ball to empty net. That was the only goal of the first half eventhough there were tons of chances for both sets.
The second half started with Beto making a brilliant free-kick save and the award for that save game dozen minutes later when Jorge Duarte gave us a two-nil lead with heading home the Joao Pedro (full-back) cross.
It seemed to be going for the 2:0 victory, but it was some nervousness when we conceded in the 80th minute after leaving opponent unmarked in the box, but soon we recovered.
In 87th minute stunning Xavier was held in the box and the referee gave a rather controversial penalty. The shot of Nuno Silva was saved, but the rebound fell to Pedro Moita who started whole string of fast passes in the box, resulting into Bruno China kicking the ball to the back of the net to seal the 3:1 victory.
It was a good victory as we now raised on level with some top 10 teams, but we are far from the original plan of promotion.
vs  Portugese Liga de Honra Week 11
It was a vital game for us ahead as the squad was unchanged for the Olhanense match. Our home crowd was hoping for us to win after the disappointment of the draw againist Gondomar.
The season was drawing to the central point already and time was running againist us in our foolish unconsitency.
The first half was a positive game with both teams, mostly us though, having loads of chances in this mid-table clash, but I was certainly hoping to get the win during the second half.
I was left shaking my head and waving around with my arms for the remaining of the game, we bursted many great chances. Mostly shooting over from 5-10 meters. I was frustrated, but atleast we still have our unbeatten run of 5 games.
Leixões In League Table
1. Gil Vicente - 29 points
...
7. O. Moscavide - 17 pts
8. Leixões - 15 pts
9. Portimonense - 14 pts |
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