IMORTAL FOOTBALL CLUB ALBUFEIRA

Algarve League Division Two second phase

Given the respective records of the two teams in the second phase, the result was never in doubt. Had it not been for some good work by Danny Cabrita in the Imortal goal and some wasteful shooting in the first half, it could easily have been four or five. Imortal didn't really start playing until the last twenty minutes or so, but by then it was too late.

A warm but windy evening greeted players and spectators at the Municipal Stadium. A full bag and body search on the way in by one of seven armed police, deemed necessary to keep order in the crowd of about 200. That's about 190 more than normally watch Imortal B. The visiting fans were in good voice, with flags and banners, knowing that a win would guarantee them promotion and start their rise back up the leagues after enforced demotion.

The first half belonged totally to Olhanense. Imortal did not manage a single shot at goal. There was a half chance early on, but the Olhanense goalie Maia was just able to grab a good ball heading in the direction of William Jr. Olhanense deployed two very fast wingers, Pina and Daniel Oliveira, who caused Imortal's defence no end of problems. That wasn't helped by an injury to centre back Alexandre Tavares, who had put in some able tackles and clearances before he was caught up in a tangle of legs on the half hour. He tried to stay on, but admitted defeat five minutes later.

Imortal were lucky not to go behind shortly after, when Januário blasted a rebound just over the bar from 20 metres. Cabrita foiled another attack with a well timed run off his line to clear from Pina's run, but the pressure was mounting. A free kick was lofted into the area, Cabrita punched well to clear but the ball was sent back into the danger zone to be met by the head of Hugo Matias at close range. Olhanense wanted the second badly, but several times were miles offside, not reading the line. Just before half time they really should have scored. The line was  at last read correctly, with three attackers facing one defender, but Oliveira was greedy and opted for a shot instead of passing. Cabrita blocked the shot for a corner.

The second half began badly for Imortal. A succession of defensive errors gifted the ball to Oliveira on the left wing. Acres of space for the cross to the far post and an easy tap-in for Serodio. Imortal did react, William Jr. had a good one-two move with Manuel Oliveira but the final ball was just too long. Pretty much how Imortal's game was going. Too many short passes giving Olhanense's well organised defence to become even more organised. William managed Imortal's first direct attempt on goal mid-way through the half, well over as was a second effort a few minute later. Olhanense were content to sit back and let Imortal do all the running. William's best shot came on 35 minutes, a superb shot on the turn that grazed the crossbar before heading to safety. Full-back Silva sent in a hopeful high ball that Maia in the visitors goal had to deal with. Imortal's game was much more open, long passes making the defence work but the final ball or finish wasn't there. The referee announced three added minutes, during which Imortal's Hugo Melo tried two very long range shots, sending the ball high and wide into the trees at the back of the stadium.

The celebrations among the Olhanense fans got under way as the final whistle neared. They will of course be meeting Imortal's first team in the Algarve League next  season.

Imortal team . Cabrita; Silva, Salvador, Almeida, Tavares; Barros, Martins, Pacheco, Melo; William Júnior, M. Oliveira. Subs used : Fialho, Borges, Nabe and Santos.

Match statistics

Free kicks conceded: Imortal 8, Olhanense 10
Offside : Imortal 0, Olhanense 11
Shots on target : Imortal 1, Olhanense 6
Shots off target : Imortal 5, Olhanense 4
Shots blocked : none
Corners : Imortal 2, Olhanense 6
Yellow cards : Imortal 1, Olhanense 0
Red cards : none

Result - Messinense 0 - 2 Imortal