ALGARVE FOOTBALL - FIXTURES AND RESULTS

LAST WEEKEND'S RESULTS NEXT WEEKEND'S GAMES

The Segunda Liga (Second Division) gets under way next weekend. With three Algarve teams in this season, there promises to be at least a few interesting games!

The first set of matches sees all three at home, with TV requiring Olhanese to be out of bed early on Saturday.

Saturday 9th August 1115ko - Olhanense v Leixoes
Sunday 10th August 1700ko - Portimonense v Covilha
Sunday 10th August 1900ko - Farense v Sporting B

As a prelude to the season, the group phase of the first round of the League Cup has almost finished. Neither Portimonense nor Farense will be taking any further part. Olhanense will join them in oblivion if they fail to win their third match next Wednesday afternoon.

The Superliga (Premier Division) starts over the weekend of 16th / 17th August. There is no Algarve interest this season but I observe that the TV company has still not decided when the matches are to be played. Must do wonders for the training schedule. Supporters - who cares that they won't know when the game is until a week beforehand!

I never thought I would see the words Charlton and  Pan European in the same sentence! Good luck, I shall keep an eye out for the result. No football or rugby where I am going to be for the next few days.

Meanwhile Tonbridge Angels begin their season in the Ryman League with a visit from the mighty VCD Athletic, a result that will appear in blurred print around 5pm!

The Portuguese have now been told when the first matches are being played in the Superliga. Predictably, FC Porto are playing on Friday night 16th August, Sporting on Saturday night and Braga on Sunday night. These are all on Sport TV. Also on Sunday night, at the same time, Benfica are playing. Benfica now have sole rights to show all their home matches on their own channel, Benfica TV. So for €9,99 a month (if you already have cable or satellite) you can save the bother of stirring yourself to actually go to the stadium. Better still, go to a bar and for a €1,50 beer (at the most) watch the game with your mates.

Olhanense made a fruitless trip to Leixoes yesterday afternoon in their final match of the group staage of the League Cup. A 0-0 draw in front of 448 diehards ensured they will also take no further part in proceedings.

Last weekend's results next weekend's games

2nd Tier - Segunda Liga

Farense 0 - 1 Santa Clara att 546
Olhanense 0 - 1 Sporting B att unknown
Portimonense 0 - 0 Oriental att unknown

A poor show by the three Algarve teams. A lack of goals is the obvious symptom. Farense and Portimonense have between them scored just two goals in six matches thus far.

There will be matches on Wednesday afternoon, with Farense and Olhanense both travelling. Portimonense's game in this round of matches is out in Madeira and is scheduled for Saturday 6th September.

Then, on Sunday 31st, there will be :

Olhanense v Maritimo ko 1500hrs
Portimonense v Feirense ko 1600hrs
Farense v Braga B ko 1700hrs.

3rd Tier - Campeonato Nacional Seniores Group H - first match of the season

Quarteirense     1-0     Lusitano VRSA        
Ferreiras     2-0     Louletano

I went to the match at Ferreiras. The first half was scrappy, the second half poor. Farense just about deserved their win, scoring twice in the first half but missing some good chances in the second. Former Imortal star Sandro scored an excellent second from close range, finishing off an sweeping move down the left wing. He was later guilty of a horrible miss, breaking an offside trap to set up a one-on-one with the 'keeper, but then getting caught in about six minds. Cue apoplexy from management.

Louletano made few chances, the Ferreiras 'keeper foiled one opponent with an excellent grab, pouncing on a loose ball as a cat would a mouse, front paws extended.

Another ex- Imortal man Sustelo was a second half substitute, also guilty of a glaring miss late in the game.

The last half hour degenerated into a sequence of petty fouls, yellow cards and playacting as is so often the case in the lower leagues here.

BTW admission for this division has increased to €7 per game.

Next Sunday's games here in the Algarve will be at 1700hrs

Lusitano VRSA     v     Moura      
Louletano     v     At. Reguengos

Oh gawd! Orwellian editing has restored correctness.

Last weekend's results next weekends games

Segunda Liga - midweek

Covilhã 3 - 3 Olhanense att 762
Oriental 0 - 1 Farense att 513

Sunday

Farense 0 - 0 Braga B att unknown
Olhanense 3 - 0 Martimo B att unknown
Portimonense 3 - 2 Feirense att unknown (winner came in 94th minute and the player was booked for over celebrating!)

After those two games, Olhanense are now in 6th place with eight points from five matches, Farense 11th and Portimonense 14th.

Next weekend

Many teams are not playing owing to the international matches but this game is scheduled

União Madeira v Portimonense Sunday at 1600hrs

Campeonato Nacional Seniors group H

Operário   1-0     Quarteirense        
SC Praiense     3-2     Ferreiras        
Lusitano VRSA     0-0     Moura    
Aljustrelense     0-3     Angrense        
Louletano     2-1     At. Reguengos

Two games played, Ferrieras are third, Louletano 6th and the other Algarve teams are down the bottom.

No games in this League next weekend as it is the 1st round of the Portugal FA Cup.

Matches involving Algarve teams :

Ferreiras v Famalicão SATURDAY 6th at 1600hrs

Atletico Malveira v Lusitano VRSA

Louletano and Quarteirense not involved, neither are Silves who are admitted as runners-up in last years' Algarve Cup.

ALGARVE LEAGUE

There is as yet no information on the start date.

Monday's late result -- União Madeira 0 Portimonense 1 attendance 147.

There were 10 yellow cards and three sent off. Portimonense climb to 9th and have a game in hand on some teams above them.

LAST WEEKEND'S RESULTS NEXT WEEK'S GAMES

Segunda Liga

Farense 1 - 0 Portimonense attendance 747 (yes sad isn't it for a local derby. The 5 Euro bus fare was obviously too much)
Oriental 0 - 2 Olhanense attendance 461

As a result, Farense are now 7th, Olhanense 8th and Portimonense 15th.

No games next weekend as it will be the second round of the Portuguese FA Cup - see below.

Campeonato Nacional Seniores Group H

Operário Lagoa     1-0     Moura        
Aljustrelense     2-0     Lusitano VRSA    
Louletano     1-0     Quarteirense    
Ferreiras     1-1     At. Reguengos    
SC Praiense     0-1     Angrense

Ferreiras are second with 7 points from three games, Louletano and Quarteirense one point behind but Lusitano are struggling at the bottom

Again, no games next week.

NEXT WEEKEND PORTUGUESE FA CUP SECOND ROUND

So far as I know all games are on Sunday 28th September, kickoff 1500hrs / 3pm

Algarve teams at home

Portimonense v Real Sport Club
Olhanense v Quarteirense

Louletano, Silves and Farense will be away.

The Algarve League starts on Saturday 4th October.