Fundão‘s resistance lasted 9 seconds at Pavilhão João Rocha. Sporting started their title defense with a goal and scored in the second play, with Merlin taking a corner for Tomás Paçó to shoot first time. If the visitors’ strategy was to delay the Lions’ first strike as much as possible… it fell apart practically before they had the ball.
The home team had a goal disallowed due to Taynan’s foul and, in response, Samuel Freire, with a bicycle kick, forced Henrique to make a good save. The lions continued on top and threatened the second. Sokolov hit the crossbar (4′) and Allan hit the post (8′), before expanding, through Tomás Paçó (12′) and once again following a dead ball – Obina even stopped a first shot from Diogo Santos, but didn’t make it to the second. The visiting goalkeeper was largely responsible for the score not reaching other numbers in the 1st half, with 9 saves!
The Brazilian made another good stop on a shot from Paçó (24′) and shortly afterwards Fundão reduced the score, with Caio Pedro escaping from midfield and shooting from the point of aim, close to the post. The goal cheered up the visiting team, but that mood didn’t last long. At 31′, Pauleta took off on the right and made a tunnel for the visiting archer.
Fundão’s situation worsened shortly afterwards because captain Mário Freitas received a second yellow card and was sent off. Soon after, another good moment from Nuno Dias’ team, with Taynan finding Paçó free for the hat trick. The game was practically decided at that moment, all that remained was to know how many the Lions would be able to score by the end… there were two more, by Taynan and Allan.
By Miguel Amaro
