Portugal round-up: Porto maintain momentum
Monday, March 24, 2003
Article summary
A 2-1 win at CD National saw FC Porto maintain their 13-point lead in the Portuguese First Division.
Article body
Defensive lapse
The UEFA Cup semi-finalists came from behind away from home to keep their title charge on course, despite the hosts taking a 42nd-minute lead when Brazilian striker Adriano Louzada took full advantage of Ricardo Carvalho's defensive lapse.
Carvalho winner
Three second-half substitutions saw José Mourinho's side regain the advantage. Brazilian substitute Derlei levelled the scores after 77 minutes, before Ricardo Carvalho atoned for his earlier error by heading the winner from a Deco corner two minutes from time.
Boavista fall further adrift
Boavista FC, Portugal's other UEFA Cup semi-final representatives, fell to a 3-1 home defeat on Monday against CF Os Belenenses. The 2000/01 champions are now languishing in ninth place, 38 points behind city rivals Porto, while Belenenses are up to seventh. Elpídeo Silva gave Boavista the lead in the 42nd minute but second-half goals from Henri Antchouet, Carlos Fernandes and Chico Silva saw the visitors secure an impressive comeback win.
Final goal
SL Benfica remain in second place after Simão Sabrosa's goal earned them a 1-0 win against CD Santa Clara in the last game at their old Da Luz stadium, which is being replaced by a new Da Luz stadium which will be used at UEFA EURO 2004™. Sabrosa, the 1. liga's top scorer, finished from the penalty spot after 62 minutes.
Sporting go down
Elsewhere, Sporting Clube de Portugal's hopes of reaching next season's UEFA Champions League were dealt a blow as they lost 1-0 at Gil Vicente FC. Luis Coentrao's 41st-minute strike was enough to secure maximum points.
Basement dwellers
In the weekend's other games, SC Beira-Mar's 3-1 win against FC Paços de Ferreira saw them rise from the foot of the table, while Vitória Setúbal's 2-1 defeat against Moreirense FC saw them slip down to the bottom of the rankings in Beira-Mar's place.
Goalless draw
CS Marítimo are up to seventh place after two goals from Gaucho saw them earn a 2-0 win against Varzim SC, Vitória Guimarães were held to a 1-1 draw by SC Braga and the game between UD Leiria and Associação Académica de Coimbra ended goalless.
