IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

There is not even mention of the game reported on the FPF website. Did it really happen?

Sad news indeed. He was getting on in years but untimely nevertheless.

Imortal 0 - 4 Serpa

I can guarantee that whatever games you watched over the weekend were infinitely better than this horrorshow! A performance by Imortal utterly without merit, not a redeeming moment, disorganised at best, chaotic at worst. Goalkeeper sent off for the second time this season, dreadul defending, poor passing, error strewn decision making. And not a single shot on target.

Prior to this game, Serpa had scored only six goals in ten games while conceding twenty-seven. Imortal's record was seven scored and eight conceded in nine games. But Serpa had won their previous game.

It was a bright sunny afternoon for the crowd of about 120 including a group of Dutch blokes and a few loyal Wags and children from distant parts. No hint of what was to come. The pitch looked good after not having been used for almost a month.

Serpa went ahead after just five minutes. A good run down the right by Rui Martins ended with a good low cross in front of the retreating defensive line, which was hit low and hard by Luiz Silva from the edge of the penalty area given Perreira no chance.

Serpa looked more organised and determined from the outset, soon bringing a good save from Pereira from another long range effort. Imortal did manage one half decent attack, but Sandro Cabral took too long to control a loose ball in the area, was crowded out and his shot blocked.

Serpa were unlucky not to go two - nil up on twenty minutes. A hopeful toe-poke across the area by Malam Fati hit the far post while Pereira watched, obviously thinking it was going wide. Fati was a nuisance to the Imortal defenders for the whole game, but then I could have been.

Serpa were denied another scoring chance when the referee stopped the game for an apparent injury to one their men while they were steaming towards the Imortal goal. But they didn't have a wait long. A disastrous spell at the end of half saw Imortal concede two goals and Pereira getting sent off.

A long ball down the middle caught last defender Rodrigues out of position. He couldn't prevent Fati haring towards goal with only Pereira to beat. The goalie had one of his moments, absolutely wiped him out just outside the area. Both players were down for a couple of minutes. The referee was waiting with his red card in hand when Pereira was back on his feet.

Cue replacement goalkeeper Rodrigo Fontainhas, who looks as if he has come up from the under 16s.

The free kick was taken, he parried the powerful shot and was perhaps a bit unlucky that the rebound fell straight to Pedro Seco a few yards out who headed it back over him into the unguarded net.

The third for Serpa followed swiftly. For some reason, Imortal decided to play out from a goal kick á la Manchester City They got into a horrible mess, passing across the area and finally Cabral lost the ball six yards out giving  Marcus Delgado an easy tap-in.

Imortal made three changes at half time, desperation measures, bringing on Tidjane Baldé, Mamadu Baldé and Leandro. A mystery why the Baldés didn't start. They always give their all.

Most of the second half was played in a grim silence, broken only by groans as more Imortal passes when astray. Imortal heads were so far down as to be almost invisible. Mario Duarte did raise the gloom a little when he ended a rare Imortal attack with a good header that went just over the bar.

Imortal did manage half a chance towards the end, Leandro commendably not giving up on a rather wayward pass. He won a corner, but the very strong tackle just as he shaped to shoot left him hopping about for a while.

The referee obviously was as fed up with the game as most spectators. Despite there being four bookings and six halts for substitutions in the second half, he blew the final whistle dead on 45 minutes. Imortal's players trooped off dejectedly, fans went home to kick the dog. I did walk past one on the way to the bus, but avoided the temptation.

Imortal's next game is on Thursday night at the Algarve Stadium against third placed Louletano. I am slightly pleased that I cannot go!

Match stats

Free kicks conceded : Imortal 16, Serpa 21 a normal quiet Portuguese game
Offside : Imortal 2, Serpa 1
Shots on target : Imortal 0, Serpa 7
Shots off target : Imortal 3, Serpa 5
Shots blocked : Imortal 3, Serpa 2
Corners : Imortal 6, Serpa 6
Yellow Cards : Imortal 3, Serpa 2
Red Card : Imortal 1

Louletano 2-1 Imortal tonight .......... oops [again]. 

Juventude Evora 4-0 beleaguered Imortal. The locals wonky wheel has just gotten more wonky.  

Imortal 3-0 Pinhalnovense today.

Yesterday : Moncarapachense 3 - 0 Imortal. Gloom continues. There were several familiar names missing from the team sheet.