Casa Pia returned today to its triumphs in the Portuguese First Football League, after three games of ‘drought’, by beating Nacional 1-0 at home, in the opening of the ninth round of the competition.
In the first duel between the two teams in the highest level of Portuguese football, both teams were looking to return to their triumphs, something they failed to achieve in the last three games. The Madeirans came under more pressure, after being eliminated from the Portuguese Cup in the third round. The 17th place, in the relegation zone, with only five, (one game less played) is a cause for concern for the black and white side.
See the game summary
It was only in the 36th minute that the first great scoring opportunity was seen for the home team. After Lelo’s corner, Zé Vítor cleared it, the ball was left for Nuno Moreira to reload, with a very strong shot, which forced Lucas França to make a tight save.
In the 39th minute, the geese scored, following a corner from Nuno Moreira, Ruben Kluivert jumped higher than everyone else and deflected it into the back of the net. Ruben Kluivert is the son of ‘legendary’ striker Patrick Kluivert.
The Madeirans almost equalized at the beginning of the second half. At 53, goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira deflected Issac’s shot wide. At 55 Sequeira again prevented Penha’s goal. Center by Macedo, the goalkeeper moved forward and the Brazilian appeared to fill his foot for the rebound, a great save by Sequeira.
The home team responded, playing in Rio Maior, with goalkeeper Lucas França denying Svensson a double goal.
The Geese can very well thank their goalie for the victory. Sequeira had to show his service in the 67th minute, when he saved Thomas’ shot. However, he was blurring the paint as he dropped the ball and almost allowed Butzke to make the cut. He ended up managing to correct the mistake and walked away anyway. In the next minute, Kluivert prevented the ball from reaching José Gomes, who was already preparing to score.
Minute 77, Nacional failed again: Macedo crossed, Penha appeared in the finishing zone but Sequeira got on the ball and avoided the draw.
The final stretch was no different, with Nacional having two more opportunities: at 88, Patrick Sequeira again made another great save, after a header from José Gomes. At 89, Matheus Dias failed, deflecting out after José Gomes’ first touch. The number of opportunities missed by Nacional is incredible.
João Pereira’s team provisionally rose to eighth place, with 11 points, while the island team remained with five, in 17th and penultimate.
