Portugal round-up: Lucky 13 for Porto
Sunday, February 9, 2003
Article summary
FC Porto secured their 13th successive SuperLiga win at to maintain their 13-point lead at the top.
Article body
FC Porto secured their 13th successive SuperLiga win at the weekend to maintain their 13-point lead at the top of the table.
César Peixoto on target
This week's victims were Vitória Guimarães, who fell 2-1 to José Mourinho's side. Winger César Peixoto put Porto ahead after a one-two with playmaker Deco. Nuno Capucho doubled the hosts' advantage within minutes, cashing in after goalkeeper Jerôme Palatsi had saved well from Hélder Postiga. In the second half, Portuguese international striker Romeu reduced the deficit, but Porto hung on with few alarms to secure another three points.
Tiago double
SL Benfica won 3-0 at UD Leiria with a display of skill and resilience. José Antonio Camacho's side took the lead early on through Portuguese international Nuno Gomes, who beat goalkeeper Paulo Costinha with a low shot after a neat backheel from Slovenian international Zlatko Zahovic. Tiago then scored
either side of half-time to wrap up the points.
Sporting lose ground
Sporting Clube de Portugal are now three points behind Benfica after a 1-1 draw at Varzim SC. Without Brazilian striker Mário Jardel, Sporting found it hard to breach the hosts' defence although they eventually took the lead through playmaker João Pinto. However, in the second half Sérgio Carvalho levelled the scores after goalkeeper Tiago failed to hold a Quim Berto corner.
Five-goal thriller
Elsewhere, Vitória Setúbal secured their first home win of the season by beating CS Marítimo 1-0 with the only goal of the match coming from Brazilian forward Jorginho. Meanwhile FC Paços de Ferreira and CF Os Belenenses served up a five-goal thriller. After a goalless first period visitors Belenenses shot into a 2-0 advantage after the break thanks to goals from Henri Antchouet and Ludemar. However, Paços Ferreira soon bounced back with Renato Queirós reducing the gap before José Puntas scored twice in the last six minutes to secure an incredible 3-2 win.
Other games
Associação Académica de Coimbra beat Gil Vicente FC 2-0, with Dário scoring twice. Moreirense FC and SC Braga drew 2-2 while CD Nacional defeated SC Beira-Mar 1-0 with the only goal of the game coming courtesy of Brazilian midfield player Cleomir.
