IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Oriental Dragons (?) 0 Imortal 1. Marocas with the goal. 

Yesterday : Vasco da Gama 1 - 1 Imortal a last gasp penalty for Imortal after what had been a pretty desperate game at times. More later.

Vasco da Gama Vidigueira 1 - 1 Imortal


It was sunny (in contrast to the previous day, which was thick fog!), rather windy quite cold and  it was an artificial surface. Despite many gallons of water, the ball was bouncing all over the place and the wind was blowing it off course, especially in the second half when the home goalkeeper van der Laan found the seated specators several times.

It was a very quiet first half, very few attempts on goal and not even many free kicks, which made a nice change. The goal that did come put the home side in the lead after six minutes. A good run down the  right, a low hard cross which Imortal's defence didn't deal with. The first shot by the huge centre forward Eze was blocked, a scramble ensued and ended with the ball being poked into the net. Given by the FA as an own goal against Imortal's captain Pedro Rodrigues.

The midfield battles were fierce but fair. Torres fashioned a couple of half chances for Imortal which went over or wide, Elvis Odukporo was berated by team mates and coaches for not concentrating, the hosts were wasteful with the two chances they had. Half time 1-0.

The wind was in Imortal's favour for the second half but, as so often happens, it was too strong at times. The tactic of booting it down the field wasn't working. Imortal had the ball, but didn't manage a shot in the opening quarter hour. As so many coaches and managers do, Imortal's made three changes on the hour to try to change things.

Things livened up. Imortal pressed, the home defenders were in trouble at times, giving away free kicks in dangerous places. The locals were getting rather annoyed with the referee giving Imortal so many free kicks. The players also, yellow cards were shown.

Vasco da Gama did have one good counter attack with fifteen minutes remaining which was ended with a wasteful, weak shot to groans from the fans.

Imortal persisted with the long ball approach. Ninety minutes was up. A final long ball to the left wing found Ricardo Ramos, who crossed first time. One of those unfortunate ones where the ball hits a defender's arm when he can do nothing about it. Penalty given. After the customary debate and pleas, up stepped Mario Duarte aka Marocas to blast the penalty home. Big celebration by Imortal in front of the home bench, perhaps not the best place! A bit of a melée followed, a few more yellow cards were dished out. I didn't celebrate. There were about 50 in the bar area right behind where I was standing who had been at it all afternoon and were voicing their opinions.

Kick off and another exchange of views ending with Marocas getting a second yellow and thus sent off. Imortal rode out the final minute safely. I scuttled off to sample the local produce.

Always take a 1-1 draw away from home.

Replied by private message.

Earlier today Imortal 2 - 2 Praiense a draw from the jaws of victory. More tomorrow. I am going to buy a dog on the way home so I will have something to kick.

Imortal 1 - 0 Ferreiras

Cliché time! The only goal of this typically hard local derby was wonder free kick scored by Fábio Domingues in the 72nd minute. Ferreiras had conceded a free kick just outside the right hand corner of their penalty area. Various bodies consulted, then Domingues absolutely thundered the ball past the despairing dive of Ribeiro in the visitor's goal. Cue wild celebrations, for which according to the directives the entire Imortal team should have been booked! The referee decided to avoid all that paperwork and merely ushered than back onto the field. Those of you on Facebook find the Imortal Fans page where there should be a video highlights clip.

Ferreiras had more chances to score than Imortal, but were terribly wasteful in front of goal. Chief culprit was João Barbosa, who seemed unable to take a moment and compose himself before shooting.

Imortal had Ailton Tavares and Marocas restored to the starting line up. Also in from the beginning was Tidjane Baldé.

Ferreiras started well, the first of their many goal scoring opportunities falling to the very large striker Ivan Franciso, who got his head to a free kick delivered by André Grave, but Pereira in Imortal's goal brought off a flying finger-tip save. Ferreiras had the better of the early exchanges, but nothing really threatened. Imortal managed to create a chance when Tavares picked up a poor clearance but he shot just wide from outside the area when perhaps he could have taken a couple more steps. Franciso was then in defensive action for Ferreiras in blocking a free kick, then Imortal's Ramos hit the post with another free kick. Baldé could not quite get to the rebound. Bruno Torres was booked for clattering into André Sustelo, a former Imortal player.

Just before half time, Imortal conceded a free kick in a dangerous position but the wall did its job. There was still time for Sandro Cabral to have a good effort  blocked by Ferreiras' defence. No goals at half time.

A very long half time! The second half didn't kickoff until ten past four!

Imortal started the second period with an exotic free kick routine between Torres, Fadigas and Baldé, but the latter's hard low cross was seized by Ribeiro before strikers could pounce. Barbosa wasted a chance to put Ferreiras ahead. Not properly marked, his near post header went wide. The game became end to end. Elvis Odukporo crossed well for Cabral at the far post, but the header was weak and easily saved. Ferreiras counter-attacked, Francisco scuffed a shot when just a few yards out.

Imortal made a double change on the hour to try to change things. Off went Fadini (who had been booked) and Baldé, on came Domingues and Almeda.

Ferreiras had the next chances, but again Barbosa failed. Imortal drove forward again and won the free kick from which the goal was to come. Mass protests of course from the visitors. Once order had been restored came the moment of the match!

Ferreiras responded. There were loud and prolonged claims for a handball penalty, nothing doing. Ramos was fouled, Torres delivered the free kick but Marocas headed wide. Things were becoming rather tetchy. Three Ferreiras players were booked in rapid succession, players of both sides were guilty of over reaction to 'fouls'  resulting in long stoppages.

Three minutes of the regulation ninety remained when Barbosa was eventually on target but Pereira made an excellent low block save to keep Imortal's goal intact. Tavares and Rodrigues worked hard to foil Ferreiras attacks, at the cost of several corners, which Ferreiras failed to make use of. Seven minutes of added time were announced. Shortly after that, Marocas headed wide from a free kick.Time was almost up when Torres was hacked down in front of the Imortal bench, the usual melée resulted and more time was added.

Seven minutes had become nine when the final whistle blew, to the immense relief of the home fans among a good crowd of about 400.

Imortal are in a good run at the moment, eight league games since the last defeat, twelve goals scored, six conceded (three of them in one game) and five clean sheets. Something must be right!

Next up is a trip to Lagos next Sunday afternoon. They too are doing well in the League, seven games since their last defeat which, like Imortal, was at the hands of leaders Atlético.

Match Statistics

Free kicks conceced : Imortal 12, Ferreiras 13
Offside : Imortal 1, Ferreiras 2
Shots on target : Imortal 4, Ferreiras 2
Shots off target : Imortal 2, Ferreiras 9
Shots blocked : Imortal 2, Ferreiras 1
Corners : Imortal 2, Ferreiras 5
Yellow cards : Imortal 2, Ferreiras 3
Red Cards : none

Yesterday - Lagos 3 - 2 Imortal, not a good day out! More later.