Porto to face Leiria in final
Monday, April 14, 2003
Article summary
FC Porto remain on course for a treble success this season after winning through to the Portuguese Cup final.
Article body
June final
The UEFA Cup semi-finalists, who are three wins away from claiming the Super Liga title, made it through with a 2-0 victory against second division Associação Naval 1º de Maio. Porto will now face UD Leiria in the final at Lisbon's Estádio Nacional on 15 June after they overcame FC Paços de Ferreira 1-0 on Sunday.
Deco again
Giantkillers Naval, who knocked out Sporting Clube de Portugal in the quarter-finals, kept Porto at bay until the 54th minute tonight when Brazilian forward Derlei scored with a header from a César Peixoto corner. Ten minutes from time, substitute Deco put the match beyond doubt with a precise shot from just inside the penalty area. It was the club's 100th goal of the season in 43 matches.
Late drama
The final will see Porto coach José Mourinho face his former team, Leiria. Their victory against Paços de Ferreira came about after a somewhat fortunate goal in added time from Luís Bilro. The Leiria captain tried to cross the ball into the penalty area but the ball deceived everyone, including Paços de Ferreira goalkeeper Pedro, and went into the net at the far post. "Maybe I was touched by God by scoring this way the most important goal of my career", said Bilro.
