Appearing very much like champion-elect, Porto maintained its unbeaten domestic campaign with 3-0 thrashing of host Olhanense at at Estádio José Arcanjo. With the result, the Dragões are eleven points up on Benfica in the Liga Portuguesa race and excluding two draws, have yet to show the slightest blemish on the domestic front since André Villas-Boas took the managerial reigns.

With a short timeframe to prepare to the trip to Algarve after a midweek Europa League clash, the Porto tactician had much to be concerned as their hosts had yet to lose at home this year. The early stages so Porto revving its engine powerfully, yet maintaining a firm defending stance as ‘keeper Helton was a spectator. Hulk continued to cause fits but the final touch was missing and most surprising the contest went to the break scoreless.

After the break Porto continued to press and following Falcao’s effort rasped off the woodwork and a further chance pulled off the line, managed to take the lead seven minutes past the hour. Coming via the handiwork of nineteen year-old James Rodríguez, Fernando Belluschi accepted his provision from the end of the area and sent a sumptuous volley into the net over the outstretched mitts of goalkeeper Ricardo Baptista. Confidence billowing, the match was effectively fait accompli two minutes later as the brilliant young Columbian was architect again as he supplied the ball to Falcao who then glanced it in off the woodwork. Porto continued to dominate and a minute into added-time Falcao lodged his second of the day as he turned a close range rebound of Hulk’s effort into the net to give his side the flourishing 3-0 victory.

The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Prepared by John Davies
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Porto maintained its perfect start to the Liga Portuguesa campaign with a 2-0 win over Olhanense at Estádio do Dragão. With the result, the Portuguese giants remain perfect with six wins in domestic play in as many matches under new manager André Villas-Boas and have quickly opened a seven point lead over Braga, Vitória de Guimarães and Académica de Coimbra.

Coming off their victory over Nacional da Madeira in Funchal and in lieu of next Thursdays Europa League clash against CSKA Sofia, the Porto tactician made summoned Jorge Fucile and Argentine international, ex of Vélez Sársfield, Nicolás Otamendi into the starting eleven for Cristian Săpunaru and Maicon.

Controlling the run of play from the opening whistle, Porto took the 1-0 lead at the twenty-first minute as Nicolás Otamendi, at the back point, sent in the rebound of Hulk’s effort from the right. With Porto ‘keeper Helton completely undisturbed, the hosts extended the lead a minute shy of the break as Hulk broke up a pass in the middle of the pitch before racing down into the area and driving the ball into the net. For the balance of evening, Porto was in complete and while they were unable to extend the margin of victory, were pleased with the solid 2-0 victory.

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Coming off last weeks loss to Sporting, Porto was fortunate to grab a 2-2 draw with relegation threatened Olhanense at Estádio do Dragão. With the result Jesualdo Ferreira’s side maintain third in the Liga Portuguesa, whilst Olhanense sits at the thirteenth spot.

Disaster struck early for the hosts as Olhanense grabbed the shock 1-0 lead at the twelfth minute as a long cross from the right flank was nodded at the back post by Paulo Sérgio to Djalmir, who subsequently headed the ball past Porto ‘keeper Helton. The Dragão faithful went in shock two minutes later as Djalmir added his second of the day to double Olhanense’s lead as he was played through via a long ball down the right channel. Down by two, Porto went on the hunt for goals and though both Cristian Rodríguez and Rúben Micael had ample opportunity before the break they were unable to find the mark and the match went to the break with Olhanense leading 2-0.

After the break, the visitors were playing their best football of the campaign and kept Porto at bay. However with ten minutes remaining Falcão brought Porto to within one as a corner from the right rattled around the box before he drove it in to set up a fast paced finish. In the third minute of stoppage time, with Porto looking like they were going down to defeat, Freddy Guarín found the leveler as , from five metres out, he sent in a cross from the right to conclude the match 2-2 honours even.

Porto returns to play on Tuesday in Champions League play as they visit Arsenal before facing Académica de Coimbra in domestic action on Saturday. On the following day Olhanense welcomes Belenenses to t Estádio José Arcanjo, Olhão.

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Braga withstood an early charge by relegation threatened Olhanense in route to a 3-1 victory at the Quarry. By days end, Braga maintained its second spot in Liga Portuguesa table, one off Benfica, whilst Olhanense at thirteenth.

Jorge Costa’s visiting side took the lead at the quarter-hour as Djalmir rose high in the box to head in Castro’s cross from the right. Down by one, Braga immediately launched forward for the equalizer six minutes later found it as Matheus latched onto a poorly played long ball by defender Tengarrinha that saw him gifted a chance from ten metres out that made not mistake with. The blunder took the wind from the visitors sails and seven minutes shy of the break Evaldo, from six metres out, headed in Paulo César chipped cross from the right to give Braga the 2-1 lead. With clear momentum, Braga doubled its lead five minutes shy of the hour as Paulo César surged down the left flank before laying the ball, from the by-line, to Albert Meyong, who scored from eleven metres.

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Sporting’s troublesome campaign continued as they were held to a nil draw by Olhanense at Estádio José Arcanjo in in southern Portugal. The result sees Carlos Carvalhal’s side at fourth in the Liga Portuguesa table, perilously close to dropping out of a spot on the European stage as União de Leiria, Vitória de Guimarães, Nacional da Madeira and Marítimo all within striking distance, whilst Olhanense are at twelfth, three points above the relegation zone.

Played in foul weather conditions that left you questioning why the match was not abandoned, Sporting clearly was lacking in attacking inspiration as they rarely mustered a notable advance against their relegation threatened hosts. Without the services of former Lokomotiv Moskva man Marat Izmailov, Sporting’s best opportunities can via Miguel Veloso set-pieces. Veteran striker Djalmir was gifted a high probability chance to break the deadlock before the break when he was played through on the right channel but his effort was just off the inside corner.

After the break, the quality of the pitch deteriorated and chances were rare. Looking for the much needed attacking inspiration Carlos Carvalhal called upon Hélder Postiga and Bruno Pereirinha just past the hour. Despite Sporting’s intentions they could not break through and the match concluded as a nil draw.

Sporting returns to play next Thursday in Europa League play as they welcome Everton to Estádio José Alvalade before facing bitter foe Porto on Sunday, whilst Olhanense challenges Braga at The Quarry the day before.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
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