A roundup of the 'Liga Portugal 2' Action: Gameweek 7
With the eighth gameweek of the second division getting underway, here is the perfect opportunity to read about all the latest action in Liga Portugal 2, with a comprehensive summary of the results and activity from Gameweek 7 provided by José Almeida. You can follow José on Twitter - @IwasJoseAlmeida.
Penafiel v Arouca
Friday night saw João Basso play the hero and villain in Arouca’s 2-2 draw away to the men in Red-and-black of Penafiel. Anthony Blondell made it 1-0 to Arouca only a couple minutes into the game before Gustavo Henrique grabbed the equaliser, with his third goal in as many games. João Basso then slotted a penalty passed Luis Ribeiro at the 70th-minute mark to give Arouca the 2-1 advantage. It wasn’t to be though for the Brazilian as in the dying minutes he scored the own goal to give Penafiel the draw. Full-Time Penafiel 2-2 Arouca.
Vizela v Académica
Saturday morning began in Braga as Vizela hosted Académica, with the latter looking like they were in for a tough match as Vizela grabbed the opener. Journeyman Cassiano who arrived at Vizela this season from Boavista converting from the penalty spot. It wasn’t to be for Vizela though as Matheus Costa picked up a red card and Mohamed Bouldini missed the resulting penalty but managed to score the rebound. Vizela battled to remain in the game but a goal for Bruno Teles and a first-ever career goal for on-loan Braga youngster Leandro Sanca proved to be the difference as Académica march on in a positive direction. Full-Time Vizela 1-3 Académica
Vilafranquense v Casa Pia
Two sides playing their second ever seasons in Portugal's second tier met in a stalemate. Casa Pia who remained in the division only thanks to Aves & Vitória Setúbal’s relegation from the Primeira Liga to the Campeonato de Portugal, and Vilafranquense. Fittingly former Setúbal players played pivotal roles, Andre Claro grabbing the first of the game for Vilafranquense. In the second half Malta international Zach Muscat gave Casa Pia the equaliser only a few minutes after teammate Platiny missed from the spot. Vilafranquense must have thought they won it when Kady scored in the 85th minute, but the Setúbal irony appeared again in stoppage time when former player Alex snatched the draw with a goal in the 94th minute. Full-Time Vilafranquense 2-2 Casa Pia
FC Porto B v Chaves
FC Porto B and Chaves met with Chaves trying to regain momentum after their loss to Oliveirense in their last matchday. Things started badly for Porto B after English youngster Danny Loader, who signed for Porto from Reading this summer, received a red card half an hour into the game. Porto did manage to find the opener just before half time on the 45th minute from Igor Cassio, Chaves however had no intention of going into half time down and immediately got the ball into Porto’s area leading to Portugal U-19 international Tiago Matos to make a foul resulting in a penalty which was converted by Luis Rocha in injury time. After the break, it didn’t take long for Chaves to take the lead and get the eventual winner in the 56th minute through Niltinho. Full-Time FC Porto B 1-2 Chaves.
Cova da Piedade v Leixões
Cova da Piedade had their African players to thank as they fired them to victory. DR Congo’s Arnold Issoko and South African Thabo Cele grabbed both goals either side of half time, in a match that could really have gone either way it. Cova da Piedade find themselves in 8th place, while Leixões will be hoping to avoid a relegation scrap this year big game against Benfica B next for Heróis do Mar. Full-Time Cova 2-2 Leixões
Benfica B v Academico de Viseu
African hero’s aplenty in the Liga Portugal 2 this week as Paul Ayongo grabbed the vital goal in Viseu’s 1-0 win over Benfica 25 minutes into his first start for Academico Viseu. The Ghanaian has dragged Viseu out of the relegation zone but only just into 16th place with 6 points. Meanwhile, Benfica B also have 6 points two places above Viseu in 14th. Benfica’s form is increasingly worrying though; this defeat was their 5th consecutive loss in Liga Portugal 2. Full-Time Benfica B 0-1 Ac Viseu
Varzim v Estoril
Sunday morning arrived and we were treated to a battle between two sides at opposite ends of the table. Estoril in amongst the sides competing for promotion and Varzim losing their last three games in a row and loitering near the relegation zone. There were to be no surprises as Hugo Gomes, who spent last year on loan at Varzim, grabbed the opener, before Abdul-Aziz Yakubu finished the game off with his fourth goal of the season wrapping it up in the first half. The victory sees Bruno Pinheiro's men take first place in the Liga Portugal 2 one point ahead of Mafra who will play their game in hand on Monday evening. Full-Time Varzim 0-2 Estoril
Oliveirense v Sporting Covilhã
The streak continues with the fifth away win of the weekend. This time it was The Lions of the Mountain Sporting Covilhã. It wasn’t easy though. Oliveirense took the lead through Jorge Luiz in just 12 minutes, only a few minutes later Covilhā got their chance to get back into the game with a penalty. A confident Gilberto stepped up after converting a penalty in the last matchday against Vilafranquense, and it was no surprise he continued his success from the spot, managing to best experienced goalkeeper Julio Coelho. Lewis Enoh grabbed his first goal of the season and what would prove to be the winner on the 65th minute. Oliveirense came close a couple of times but Covilhā managed to hold on for the 3 points, the result sees them in 11th place one place behind Oliveirense in 10th who also have 8 points. Full-Time Oliveirense 1-2 Covilhā.
Article written by José Almeida. You can follow him on Twitter @IwasJoseAlmeida.
