25 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Bore-draw in Belem

Belenenses 0-0 Naval

A second consecutive stalemate for Belenenses while Naval recovered from last week’s loss to FC Porto as they managed to come away with a point at the Restelo.

Although in control for much of the game, the team from Belem did not give their opponents too much to worry about. Naval were content to defend and play on the counter-attack but did enough to deserve their point.

The first half could be summed up with poor passing, shots from distance going wide and crosses easily cut off by the keepers. The first real opportunity of a dull game came in the 70th minute for Belenenses when Fernando crossed the ball into the area where an outstretched Dady failed to make contact.

The main talking point unfortunately was when Belenenses forward, Ze Pedro, was shown a straight red for his foul on Naval’s Tony in the 90th minute.

The number of red cards that have been shown this season in the Liga is alarming. Some are well-deserved while in other cases a yellow would be the more sensible option, but it appears officials have been instructed to clamp down on any unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Belenenses coach Jorge Jesus did not dispute the result and felt that both teams deserved to walk away with a point: “The result is unequivocally just. We gained one more point and that is always important.”

“Our most creative players could not lose their markers. Naval are a team, contrary to what many think, that are strong and possess three strikers of the highest level. Defensively we were good. We managed to control Naval’s more dangerous players.”

Naval coach, Rogerio Goncalves, had a completely different outlook on the game, feeling that his team should have taken the three points. “The better opportunities belonged to Naval. We could have won the game, which would have been deserved, and I think no one would have been surprised if we did.”

Nevertheless, Goncalves confessed that he was happy with the point and that to come away from an away game with a point is always positive.

Both teams now prepare for interesting matches next week. Belenenses will stay at home and host Boavista while Naval will also be at home to Beira-Mar. The fans can only hope that more entertaining games are played than what was witnessed last night.

Belenenses:
Costinha, Sousa, Gaspar, Nivaldo, Rodrigo Alvim, Ruben Amorim, Ze Pedro, Silas, Roma (Fabio Januario, 64), Fernando (Eliseu, 73), Dady (Manoel, 80)
Yellow Cards: Silas (90)
Red Cards: Ze Pedro (90)

Naval:
Taborda, Mario Sergio, Paulao, Fernando, China, Pedro Santos (Fajardo, 53), Orestes, Gilmar, Lito, Nei (Carlitos, 90), Saulo (Tony, 82)
Yellow Cards: Nei (28)