IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Imortal Albufeira 0 - 3 Ferreiras Saturday 30th May 2026

A three-nil home defeat by your closest local rivals is usually a hard thing to take, but with the league already won and Ferreiras 99% certain of second  place, both teams were largely going through the motions for most of the time. Imortal head coach Palma gave a run-out to several players not normally first choice picks. Maybe that was with Thursday's Cup Final in mind?

The game had been moved to the secondary pitch, normally only used by junior teams. There was barely enough room for the numerous fans who were not attracted by some other game that was on TV at 5pm! The main stadium was being used for a children's athletics event, plus the fact that Imortal's end of season pig-roast was up on the other pitch. With a bar pitch-side and a fairly large 'beer garden' next to it, the atmosphere weas very convivial, helped by the very young looking GNR squad not being too fussed about drinks being taken outside. It was very hot, 32º at the start of the game.

I wasn't able to take notes, not that there was much to write about until the 45th minute, when Miguel Pires took advantage of some confusion in the Imortal defence. A good counter-attack move down the right ended was  successfully concluded by Santos, whose low, hard cross to the far post was not dealt with leaving Pires able to stab the ball into goal from close range. 

Half time 0-1, not so bad we thought. But nine minutes into the second half came the dismissal of goalkeeper Diogo Alves. Alves is the back up goalkeeper, playing only his fourth league game of the season and only his second game in three months. A long crossfield ball out of Ferreiras' defence found Pires in space. As he bore down goal, Alves came out and flattened him, just outside the penalty area. Instant red card from the referee. Alves pleaded his innocence for a long while, but he had to go. Regular goalkeeper David Inacio took his place, Aldair Quiteque was the player sacrificed.

Ferreiras went further ahead in the 72nd minute. A hefty free kick from inside his own penalty area by Ferreiras´keeper Ribeiro found Pires on the left wing, midway inside the Imortal half. He cut inside and found David Viera, whose got past two defenders to score from a narrow angle across Inacio.

A little bit of tetchiness followed, with three yellow cards in as many minutes, before Ferreiras scored their third. Imortal were struggling in the heat. A quick throw on the right wing set three Fereriras players against two defenders in midfield. Afonso Calvinho took hold of the ball, turned inside from the left wing, beat two defenders and scored past a helpless Inacio.

The referee had seen enough, only the statutory three minutes was added and all ended with smiles.

Diehards can watch the game at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvDkxiptVEM it's not the best quality owing to the lack of a high vantage point. You can fast forward to the interesting bits and the official presentation of the trophy after the game.

Imortal have one more game to play, the Algarve Cup Final against Olhanense. That's to be played on Thursday 4th June, which is a public holiday here. Venue is the Portimonense stadium in Portimaõ, kickoff 5pm / 1700hrs. Admission is free. Because of the lack of suitable public transport it being a holiday, I shall be unable to go but will be watching on TV. Conectv said they will be showing it.

Imortal team : Diogo Alves; Santos, Rodrigues, Sequeira, Luz; Coelho, Nascimento, Quiteque, Abreu; Durate, Ricardo Tomé. Subs used  Walter Alves, Pimenta, Herlander Tome, Inacio and Guerra.