Portugal round-up: Marítimo lose ground
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Article summary
CS Marítimo were held to a 2-2 draw by UD Leiria as FC Porto established a five-point lead.
Article body
CS Marítimo were held to a 2-2 draw by UD Leiria to allow the reigning Portuguese champions FC Porto to increase their lead to five points with a 4-1 win against CF Os Belenenses.
Van der Gaag leveller
An 18th-minute goal from Gaúcho gave Marítimo the lead before Paulo Gomes restored parity five minutes later. Leiria scored again through Douala before the second-placed islanders secured a share of the spoils six minutes from time through Mitchell van der Gaag's header.
Top Deco
Deco was the hero for undefeated Porto, scoring one and setting up another in their seventh victory of the season. The champions had to come from behind, though, after 17-year-old midfield player Goncalo Brandao gave Belenenses a fifth-minute lead. Derlei quickly levelled the scores with a header of his own and Deco's strike was followed by second-half goals from César Peixoto and Marco Ferreira, the latter laid on by Deco's sublime pass.
Goal rush
The only other undefeated team, Boavista FC, are now just a point behind Marítimo thanks to a 3-0 away win against FC Paços de Ferreira. Boavista's task was made easier once Zé Manel was sent off for the home side on 25 minutes with the score goalless. Within ten minutes of the red card, all three goals had been scored with Ricardo Sousa, Pedro Santos and Fary all on target.
Points dropped
Fourth-placed SC Braga dropped two points in their home game against Rio Ave FC, drawing 1-1. It allowed SL Benfica to pull level with them on 14 points, Sabrosa Simão scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 success against Gil Vicente FC.
Monday game
Elsewhere, Vitória Guimarães defeated Moreirense FC 3-0 on Friday night and there were away wins for both CD Nacional and FC Alverca. Sporting Clube de Portugal are at home to SC Beira-Mar in Monday night's game.
