IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Imortal Albufeira 1 - 0 Quarteira SC

Imortal had to cling on for dear life for this hard earned victory. Good saves from Pereira and a howling early miss from Quarteira contributed, even so the game could have been levelled with the very last kick, a shot from the visitors lumbering but effective striker Conceição, whose shot from the right hand corner of the penalty area flashed just wide of the left hand post with everyone motionless.

Quarteira has started well, missing a great chance with a header, then a breakaway attack forcing Pereira to save with his feet. On 27 minutes, against the run of play, Imortal won a free kick delivered towards goal by Canito. This wasn't properly cleared, a second effort was blocked and rebounded to Cascalvo on the edge of the penalty area. An acrobatic sideways sort of bicycle kick sent the ball unstoppably high and hard into the roof of the net. Loud and long were the celebrations. Imortal came to life briefly for a few minutes after that,  but without creating any chances, Quarteira came back into the game with a point blank shot by Conceição bringing a brilliant blocking save from Pereira. Imortal went into the game a goal up, all the numbers were though in favour of Quarteira.

And so it was in the second half. Wave after wave of attacks from the visitors, some good defending was required. Imortal's midfield did make a habit of losing the ball, which didn't help. For their aprt, some wayward passing by Quarteira was their downfall at times.

Quarteira achieved eight corners in the second period, Imortal none. Luck was also on the side of Imortal as shots spun wide, defenders got out of trouble with some mad clearances. Pereira was again called into action to tip a deflected free kick around the post and then to acrobatically push a long range shot over the crossbar. Imortal were on the back foot, although Oliveira did manage a shot on target that made the visiting 'keeper earn his money. Quarteira continued to press, defenders worked hard and Pereira once again saved the day when they were outplayed.

In the last few minutes, few chances went to either team, the home crowd were getting anxious as normal time came to an end. Howls of complaint greeted the announcement of six minutes added time. Quarteira sensed they still had the opportunity to claim a point at least, more attacks were launched but these were thwarted until that very last kick, a shot from afar that just missed. The final whistle blew to great joy and relief for Imortal's supporters.

Next game is the Algarve Cup third round tie up in the wilds at São Bras de Alportel against Sambrasense on Wednesday night, then it's the very short trip up the road to Ferreiras for the local derby league match on Saturday. KO time for that is not yet on the official website.

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 14, Quarteira 16
Offside  Imortal 1, Quarteira 3
Shots on target : Imortal 3, Quarteira 6
Shots off target : Imortal 3, Quarteira 3
Shots blocked : Imortal 2, Quarteira 2
Corners  Imortal 1, Quarteira 13
Yellow cards : Imortal 2, Quarteira 3

Sambrasense 0 - 0 Imortal Albufeira

Imortal won 4-3 on penalties

A forgettable game in many respects, the result apart. A cold and windy night, plus a small, hard and bumpy pitch made for less than a spectacle. Steve, you did well to stay indoors!

Lofters and I formed 9% of the crowd of 22. The GNR were taking no chances however, a squad of four fetched up to keep control of us.

Probably with Saturday's game at Ferreiras in mind, Imortal rested a few regulars.  Neither goalkeeper was troubled until the closing minutes of the first half, Imortal's front pair of Cassiano and Flavinho each managed a shot, but the first was cleared and the second was just wide of the 'keeper, who was struggling to get down. The home side's efforts were limited to three shots way off target. In fact the best effort they had was by their goalkeeper, who hoisted the ball with the wind almost the entire length of the pitch into Pereira's arms at the other.

The ease of long clearances becomes obvious when I tell you that the League's official documents show the length of the pitch there is 91 metres, which is only 1 metre over the minimum permitted in the Laws. That's fully 14 metres shorter than several other pitches listed.

Sambrasense crowded the final third, with five defenders frustrating Imortal's attacks. Both teams were taking the sky route, the bobbly pitch making the ball hard to control especially with defenders snapping at heels.

The second half began as the first had ended, lots of aerial bombardment. Sambrasense were relying on counter-attacks and early in the half one nearly succeeded. Pereira though was swiftly out of his goal to make an important interception. A couple of chances came Imortal's way mid way through the half, both fell to Nasir who first failed to properly connect with a good cross from Elvis, who has rather neatly beaten four defenders down in the right hand corner. The header went tamely straight into the ´keepers arms. Moments later, Baldé delivered a free kick nicely onto the far post, Nasir made a better header but it went wide.

Sambrasense were having the better of the half in terms of possession, but one could see why they are bottom of the league. When they did have a great chance, Pereira spilling the ball at a forward's feet, he somehow scooped it over the bar from very close range. Later on, a long range shot was well saved down low, but that was about it from the hosts. The number were in their favour except that vital statistic, goals.

Imortal brought on some more familiar faces towards the end in an attempt to break the deadlock, no joy however. Elvis shot just wide at the end of normal time, the ref added five minutes which both teams seemed content to play out. No extra time in these games, so straight to penalties.

Sambrasense went first, both sides scored their first two. Sambrasense missed their third, Imortal didn't despite Oliveira's alarming technique. Both scored again then Sambrasense missed their fifth kick leaving Imortal winners by 4-3

Match stats

Free kicks conceced : Imortal 20, Sambrasense 11
Offside : Imortal 4, Sambrasense 2
Shots on target : Imortal 2, Sambrasense 3
Shots off target : Imortal 3, Sambrasense 6
Shots blocked : Imortal 2, Sambrasense 2
Corners : Imortal 4, Sambrasense 5

Yellow cards : two each
Red Cards : none

Ferreiras 1 - 0 Imortal

The single goal in the 11th minutes by a Ferreiras' Diego Costa look alike (and act alike) striker João Pias was enough to beat Imortal. He looked suspiciously offfside when play was waved on, his unopposed run and shot gave Pereira in the Imortal goal no chance.

Imortal didn't manage a clear shot on goal for the whole game, although it took a brave double block in the final minutes by Borges in the Ferreiras goal to deny Imortal an equaliser.

The day was sunny but rather windy at times. The pitch was in good condition after the previous day's U-17 match. A good crowd (for this league) of around 250 watched a typical local derby, short on chances, long on fierce challenges, gamesmanship and blatant cheating from one or two. The ref just about kept control during the game, but the final few minutes were fairly frenzied and it all erupted into a mass brawl at the final whistle.

Imortal had slightly the better of the first ten minutes without doing anything to threaten Ferreiras' goal. Then, a long clearance found Pias unmarked and in space just inside the Imortal half, he was given on-side and sped towards goal, finishing accurately. Cue protests but to no avail. Pereira was booked for dissent.

It was all very scrappy after that for while, in fact Ferreiras didn't manage another shot of any description in the first half, while Imortal's two efforts were high and wide. There was one scare for the visitors when a wind assisted cross nearly caught Pereira off guard, but he recovered sufficiently to tip the ball over the bar. Midfielders dominated, but nobody was really in control, There were no more chances of a goal and the teams went in for the interval with Ferreiras that one goal ahead.

Imortal did start the second half with a good attacking move, but Oliveira found ihmself crowded out by three defenders before he could shoot. Ferreiras have a mean defence, they have conceded only twelve goals in nineteen league matches. One reason why they are top of the league.

The game carried on it's own way, Ferreiras did miss one good chance with a  header miles over the bar and Pereira was tasked with coming way off his line to make a tackle after which he embarked on a  bit of a run, beating three challenges before booting it off, to the amusement of many.  Ferreiras had a goal disallowed for offside, in fact were their own worst enemies, being caught offside five times in the opening twenty minutes or so. It was nearly half an hour into the second period before Imortal's first corner was won.

Gradually, the pressure from Imortal increased. A good run down the right wing by Tidjane Baldé ended with a good cross, which eluded everyone. Then the double save from Borges, denying first Oliveira then Cassiano on the penalty spot. No foul was given, rather unusually, but it took him a couple of minutes to recover. Imortal idfielder Elvis had a good run stopped for a corner, which he then proceeded to hit into the side netting. Ferreiras rode out the five added minutes with no further problems.

It all kicked off at the end with all the players, coaches and general hangers-on pushing and shoving each other all over the pitch, with Imortal's Cassiano particularly involved with a large item by the inappropriate name of Peixinho. It took three or four minutes for things to calm down.

Ferreiras remain seven points clear of Silves at the top of the table with two games of the first phase remaining. Imortal are fourth and need a point from their last two games to be certain of finishing in the top six for the second phase. Next Saturday Imortal return to bottom side Sambrense.

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 16, Ferreiras 16
Offside : Imortal 3, Ferreiras 6
Shots on target : Imortal 0, Ferreiras 3
Shots off target : Imortal 2, Ferreiras 3
Shots blocked : Imortal 2, Ferreiras o
Corners: Imortal 2, Ferreiras 4 (theirs all in the first half)
Yellow cards : Imortal 3, Ferreiras 2 I didn't see any shown during the melée at the end.

Yesterday : Sambrasense 1 - 3 Imortal, a fairly comfortable win. That and other results guarantees Imortal a place in the top six group for the second phase of the season.

Report later with pictures if I can get them off the memory card! Some problem is preventing this just now,

Sambrasense 1 - 3 Imortal

A comfortable win for Imortal against the bottom club. That and other results confirms Imortal will be in the top six group for the second phase of the league season.

The ground at São Bras is basic to say the least!



It was a bright and sunny afternoon, a bit windy up there in the hills and the pitch hard and bumpy despite the watering system. The previous week's experience didn't seem to help Imortal, who relied too much on a long ball game. On this small pitch, far too many clearances and passes simply sailed across the goal-line or into the arms of the goalkeeper.

A crowd of about 50 watched the game plus these cheapskates who wouldn't even pay the €2,50 to get in.



The early play was pretty poor from both sides. Imortal gradually applied a bit of pressure and were rewarded after twelve minutes. A corner wasn't properly dealt with, the home 'keeper came out and missed, the loose ball fell to Cassiano (out of shot) who smacked it home through a crowd defenders on the goal-line.  Imortal in black shirts..



A slightly bizarre incident followed. Sambrasense player Pires instinctively ducked under the fence to retrieve a ball before it had gone too far and was booked for leaving the field without permission. A bit harsh! A few more minutes of scrappy play followed, Imortal's long ball tactics getting them no-where. There were also too many free kicks being given away.

The lead should have been increased mid-way through the first half. Imortal were awarded a penalty after tenacious play by wing back Tidjane Baldé drew a clear foul. Spot the ball that Mateus sent miles over the bar.



The game pottered on, São Bras had nothing to offer towards goal, Imortal were content to defend in midfield. A breakthrough came just before half time with the home defence again in dodgy mode. Goalkeeper and defenders once more failed to clear their lines, midfielder Cascalvo hit a low hard shot from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 at half time.

Sambrasense came out for the second half with a bit more purpose about them, forcing three early corners and putting Imortal's defence under a little bit of pressure.



There was a slight scare for Imortal after a bt of confusion a shot from long range went just wide with 'keeper Pereira and defender Nogueira chasing back hurridely.



All that effort from the hosts was in vain shortly afterwards. They were visibly deflated when the ref played a good advantage, allowing Imortal to continue a counter-attack. Cassiano shot, he hit the bar but the ball fell obligingly to defender Jamil on the edge of the area. He crashed it home, 3-0. After that Imortal were well on top. It should have been 4-0 after half an hour but a horrible pass by Elvis which failed to find captain Rodrigues, unmarked in front of goal, would no doubt have earned him a rebuke after the game! A couple more chances came Imortal's way, Elvis had a good shot tipped over.



Imortal were though their own worst enemy in the second period, with attack after attack being ended with an offside flag, ten in all. Cassiano had another good run at goal, he was denied by an excellent tackle.

Two minutes added time were announced. Sambrasense were given a free kick on the left wing, everyone stood still as Lopes poked the ball into the net.



Next game for Imortal is away at Lagoa on Satuday, last game of the first phase.

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 13, Sambrasense 10
Offside : Imortal 14 (ten in the second half), Sambrasense 5
Shots on target : Imortal 5, Sambrasense 4
Shots off target : Imortal 5, Sambrasense 1
Shots blocked : Imortal 2, Sambrasense 0
Corners : Imortal 6, Sambrasense 4 (theirs all in the first 15 minutes of the second half)

Yellow cards : Imortal 2, Sambrasense 2

Second phase fixtures are out. Ten more League games for Imortal beginning 10th March. Updated fixture list at http://www.algarvebus.info/imortal.htm

Imortal 0 - 0 Quarteirense

Pretty poor game overall. neither team really having anything to play for even now. Both goalkeepers did pull off excellent saves to keep their clean sheets but clear cut chances were few and far between. Quarteirense had a player sent off a few minutes before half time, but Imortal did not make best use of their numerical superiority until too late.

The first half was eminently forgettable, Imortal had much of the ball, the visitors defended high with most of the action in midfield. Ten minutes before half time Tidjane Baldé set off on a run down the left and was brought down as he approached the penalty area. Straight red for the defender, a bit harsh even we thought. Resulting free kick came to nothing, as did so many.

The second half began with a flurry of free kicks, Quarteirense conceding seven in the first ten minutes as Imortal attacked. Then a breakaway attack by the visitors ended with Pereira making a good save. Back to the other end,  a good header by Imortal's striker Cassiano brought an equally good save from the other 'keeper. Pereira was again called into classy action when centre back Rodrigues slipped and let a man past him.

The game swung back and forth, the wind was in Quarteirense's favour but other than causing some scary defending from Imortal, nothing came of their attacks with shots being wayward, caught in the wind.

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 13, Quarteirense 18
Offside : Imortal 5, Quarteirense 3
Shots on target : Imortal 3, Quarteirense 5
Shots off target : Imortal 2, Quarteirense 4
Shots blocked : Imortal 1, Quarteirense 0
Corners : Imortal 4, Quarteirense 3
Yellow crds : Imortal 2, Quarteirense 3
Red Card : Quarteirense 1

Next game for Imortal is away to Messinense on Saturday, ko 1500hrs / 3pm.