IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Good point. Several games with barely a card in sight then it all kicks off. Someone will have to be held responsible if promotion is denied with such a lead and only six games to go. Saturday at Ferreiras will be a defining moment.

FERREIRAS 2 - 1 IMORTAL ALBUFEIRA


It was always going to be hard work for Imortal, missing so many players through injury and suspension. That was particularly felt in defence, where Abreu found himself stationed at left-back in only his second start since mid-December. Salvador and Sequeira are able deputies in the back line, but they missed the guiding hand of captain Pedro Rodrigues, suspended after his 5th yellow card accrued last week.

A good crowd and a sunny day. It was a bit windy though. The first twenty minutes were pretty inconsequential as teams tested out the other. What goal-bound efforts there were caused the 'keepers no problem. For Imortal, Walter Alves was his usual very busy self and it was he who set up the first real chances after 21 minutes. Setting off down the left, he eluded two defenders to send in a low, hard cross. Efforts were blocked by defenders, goalkeeper Nunes collected the loose ball. Santos had imortal's next opportunity after good work by Quiteque, his shot was also blocked. Quiteque just missed connecting with another low cross from Alves, Nunes just got there first resulting in a bit of collision. No harm done. At the other end, David Vieira's tame effort went over the crossbar. Should have done better given the time and space he had.

There was a minor panic in Imortal's defence when Abreu and ´keeper Inácio were on different wavelengths looking at a loose ball. Luckily for Imortal, Inácio was able to clear with his foot.

The game was pretty much end to end by this point. A breakout down the right by Imortal gave Diogo Luz the chance to make good ground and send in a cross to the near post, which was met by the head of Mario Duarte with a classic centre forward´s header for his 22nd goal of the season. Much joy amongst the visiting fans.

Moments later, Alves was clattered while trying an outrageous shot from the half way line, which wasn't far off at all, with Nunes off his line. Yellow card shown to the perpetrator, Rafael Texeira. Roughness was also meted out to Duarte, an arm to the face by Amaro Viana, yellow card. Ferreiras striker Rosario Miguel wasted two clear cut scoring chances as the half came to a close. Inácio and Afonso Calvinho of Ferreiras were both yellow carded after an altercation, which seemed to continue in the tunnel at half time.

Alves started the half, well on the case of a second Imortal goal but it was an ex-Imortal player Rafael Rangel who struck first, eight minutes in. Good work on the right by Rosario, cross came  in and should have been dealt with by the three defenders close to Rangel. A little bit of hesitancy gave him the room for a good shot on the turn from near the penalty spot, Inácio had no chance. Ferreiras then made three changes, sensing perhaps that Imortal were struggling. Back into defensive mode for Imortal, as last week. The wind was stronger now and in Ferreiras' favour.

There was one chance for Duarte, who judged the bounce of a long clearance better than the defender against him. He spun and shot first time from 25 metres but it went just wide. But it was almost all one way now. Luz missed a tackle in midfield, giving Pires the time to send in a cross from the left wing towards the far post. It was sent back in by Rosario and fell nicely to Rangel for a tap in finish. He was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration. When will they learn?

Vieira should have made it three for Ferreiras but he had strayed offside. Inácio made a super save right at the end to deny William Junior, another former Imortal player.

Right at the end, Calvinho was sent off for his second yellow card and, unseen by us, there was more trouble as the players left the field with Diogo Luz of Imortal and Vieira of Ferreiras both seeing red. A mighty scrum had surrounded the match officials at the end.

Imortal will still be missing a few for next Saturday's trip to Olhanense, but Rodrigues and Coelho should be available after suspension plus defender Dragnev was an unused substitute today. Herlander Tome must have been carrying an injury as he played only the last 15 minutes. Ricardo Ramos continued his comeback with half an hour on the field. All could be featuring next weekend. KO is 1600hrs / 4pm at the Estádio José Arcanjo in Olhão.

By the way, there is still no date known for the Algarve Cup Final!

Imortal team : Inácio; Prates, Sequeira, Salvador, Abreu; Nascimento, Alves, Luz, Santos; Duarte, Quiteque. Subs used : Herlander Tome, Ramos, Silveira.

Match statistics

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 5, Ferreiras 9 - the ref was a bit lenient.
Offside : Imortal 0, Ferreiras 1
Shots on target : Imortal 6, Ferreiras 8
Shots off target : Imortal 3, Ferreiras 5
Shots blocked : Imortal 3, Ferreiras 1
Corners : Imortal 1, Ferreiras 8
Yellow cards  Imortal 1, Ferreiras 3
Red cards : Imortal 1, Ferreiras 2

Today : Olhanense 2 - 1 Imortal. All went wrong in added time when Imortal were down to ten men following an injury and having no substitutions available because of the 'three windows' rule. Ferreiras won at Silves, Imortal are now only 6 points clear with four games remaining. Report Monday.