A roundup of the 'Liga Portugal 2' Action - Gameweek 8
A roundup of the latest Liga Portugal 2 action as Benfica B and Porto B continue to struggle, brought to you by José Almeida. You can follow José on Twitter (@IwasJoseAlmeida).
Estoril v Cova da Piedade
This weekend’s action was supposed to begin under some Friday night lights in the Portuguese Riviera where Estoril knew they could put pressure on the rest of the league by solidifying their place in first with a win over Cova. Due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Cova da Piedade squad the match as of now has been postponed. However according to the LPFP, due to Cova not following proper protocol they may take action. Just something to keep in mind; hopefully it is only rescheduled though. Postponed
Sporting Covilhã v Porto B
This weekends action finally got underway Halloween morning where the Lion’s of Covilhã battled the Young Dragons of Porto. In fitting Halloween fashion it was a horror show for Porto B as Covilhã scored three times in the first half, former Young Dragon Moreira Gleison’s 42nd-minute strike sandwiched between two goals for Gilberto now means Gilberto has scored 4 goals in the last 3 games making him the third top scorer in Liga Portugal 2. The only consistency Porto B are finding is losing and red cards. Rodrigo Pinheiro’s second yellow card in the 76th minute means the Young Dragons have picked up red cards in consecutive match-days, and with Joel’s 93rd-minute goal for Covilhã now handing Porto the unwanted record of three defeats in a row. Full-Time Sporting Covilhã 4-0 Porto B
Académica v Oliveirense
Académica are in good form lately winning all games in October except from a 0-0 draw away to AC Viseu and are currently sitting 5th in the Liga. Rui Borges knows a win over Oliveirense will sit his Académica side at the top of the table thanks to the postponement of Estoril’s game. No slip-ups for the side from Coimbra as top of the table they did go, former Oliveirense man Mohamed Bouldini opening the scoring. Things went from bad to worse for Oliveirense as Thalis picked up his second yellow card just under the 40th-minute mark, only a couple minutes later another former player came back to haunt UDO this time Fabinho with the goal. The slim chance of a miraculous comeback was well and truly over when just like last week with Leandro Sanca getting his first-ever goal another on loan Braga player grabbed his first-ever professional goal, this time Fabiano Silva putting the finishing touches to a good day for Académica as they climb to 1st for the meantime. Full-Time Académica 3-0 Oliveirense
Chaves v Vilafranquense
Chaves are one of the teams that can leapfrog Académica and take the top spot, coming into the match at home in the Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira. Against a struggling Vilafranquense who have only won once this season beating Penafiel back in September, Chaves did not take their chance to go top and both teams play a quiet 0-0 stalemate. Vilafranquense played fairly well with Chaves goalkeeper Paulo Vitor having more to do than counterpart Adilson in the Vilafranquense goals though admittedly not much. Vilafranquense sit in 14th winless in their last five, Chaves sit in 4th. Full-Time Chaves 0-0 Vilafranquense
Leixões v Benfica B
A busy Sunday in Liga Portugal 2 begins with Leixōes v Benfica B. Both sides sit near the relegation zone in the positions of 14th and 15th, only a point difference between today's teams on 6 points and bottom of the table Varzim who have 5 points. Benfica has lost 5 games in a row and after 13 minutes it was already 1-0 to Leixōes thanks to 37-year-old Journeyman Nene. Benfica rallied though with two goals before half time from Paulo Bernardo and Diogo Mendes As Águias looked like they had turned a corner. Reality returned though as Leixōes bounced back with yet another Nene goal in what was turning out to be a really exciting back and forth battle between two sides desperate for the points. Mile Svilar was in goals for Benfica B the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in the UEFA Champions League, Svilar was drafted in to help Benfica get those much-needed points but it was former Porto youngster who also played in the Champions League at a young age. Rui Pedro who got the glory as he beat Svilar in the dying minutes of the game and gave Leixōes all three points. A red card for Ronaldo Camara was the salt in the wound in what turned out to be yet another terrible day for Benfica B as they now have lost six games in a row. Benfica B could find themself in the relegation zone at the end of today it's clear this side is lost without Gonçalo Ramos after his promotion to the senior side, Leixōes move to 10th. Full-Time Leixões 3-2 Benfica B
Casa Pia v Penafiel
Two sides looking not to slip out of the promotion race in the 2 pm clash at the Estadio Pina Manique. Casa Pia had a great October picking up their first victory at the start of the month. The Lisbon side finding them selfs in 9th after a poor start to the league, they have improved a lot Casa won twice and drew once in October. Penafiel will prove to be difficult but not in the best form with a draw and a defeat in their last two outings. Penafiel came out and tormented Casa Pia 30 minutes into the game they were already 3-0 up, goals from Bruno Cesar on his first start for Penafiel, Left-Back Paulo Henrique & Junior Franco all hitting the back of the net. The result looked like a foregone conclusion even after Platiny managed to grab a goal back for Casa before half time. The game went on and the minutes ticked by it had reached the 90th and it seemed like the end for Casa Pia, however, it was not the end a resilient Casa side never gave up grabbing a goal back in the 91st minute Malik Abubakari giving Casa a fighting chance but it still seemed unlikely. 95th minute had reached and it looked like it was over for Casa but Saviour Godwin unbelievably living up to the name becoming Casa’s Saviour grabbing the equaliser to tie the game In the final moments what a match! Full-Time Casa Pia 3-3 Penafiel
Académico Viseu v Feirense
A tamer affair played out in Viseu as Académico Viseu must gain at least a point against Feirense to escape the relegation zone after Vilafranquense picked up a point against Chaves on Saturday allowing them to escape and leaving Viseu in their place. No dice for Viseu though as Feirense managed to get the win on the road courtesy of an Ença Fati goal, Fati’s third of the season and second consecutive goal after scoring in Feirense’s 3-1 win over Mafra in the last matchday. Full-Time Ac Viseu 0-1 Feirense
Arouca v Vizela
A mid-table clash between two sides trying to get away from the bottom and hopefully pick up the points to get back into the battle for promotion. Vizela’s form hasn’t been good after a great start to the season they didn’t win once in October and now have an unwanted record of four games without a win hoping to avoid making it five. Arouca are in decent form, although they drew last week against Penafiel in the last minutes after an unfortunate own goal from João Basso. A quiet first half played out notable for an injury forcing off Cassiano in the 25th minute, his replacement Diogo Ribeiro took his chance scoring the first goal of the match just after half time. Arouca were awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time. Centre-Back Basso once again stepping up and converting his third goal of the season, the Curitiba born Brazilian is Arouca’s top scorer so far this campaign. After the 90th minute heartbreak last time out for Arouca this time they were the inflictors, Adilio became the hero grabbing what proved to be the winner in injury time. Full-Time Arouca 2-1 Vizela
Mafra v Varzim
Matchday 8 in Liga Portugal 2 concludes with Mafra v Varzim, Mafra know a win will see them go top while underdogs Varzim sits dead last knowing three points would lift them out of the drop zone. Luís Pedro got Varzim off to the best possible start scoring an early goal in the 15th minute. Varzim got out of the relegation zone with Benfica B dropping down, sadly for Varzim though it only lasted just under 30 minutes after Rodrigo Martins grabbed the equaliser for Mafra. In the second half, Varzim battled hard to remain in the game but it was not to be as Right-Back Tomás Domingos grabbed his first professional goal. Abel Camara then grabbed the goal seven minutes from time that would be the nail in the coffin for Varzim’s hope of an upset. A fine home victory for Mafra sees them take top spot in Liga Portugal 2, while Varzim remains last in 18th now winless in their last seven matches. Full-Time Mafra 3-1 Varzim
