21 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Ze Pedro brace boosts Belenenses

Belenenses 2-0 Pacos de Ferreira

Belenenses returned to victory after a month without a win, thanks largely to the contributions of Ze Pedro. The attacking midfielder returned to action after being suspended from the last round and made his presence felt as he bagged both goals for the home side in a 2-0 win over Pacos de Ferreira.

Pacos de Ferreira succumbed to their second defeat of the season, the other one coming in the first round.

The game got off to a bright start as Pacos threatened the Belenenses goal in the 3rd minute of the game and Cristiano saw his header go just wide from a Didi cross.

Belenenses responded seven minutes later when it appeared that Silas had put the home side one up, but match referee, Paulo Paraty, disallowed the goal due to a foul in the six-yard box.

In the 15th minute Ze Pedro got the first of his two goals on the night as he converted a penalty after Candidio Costa had been brought down in the area by Elias.

The Blues almost got their second in the 21st minute when Dady crossed the ball to Eliseu who was waiting in the box, and his shot grazed the post. Shortly before the break Ze Pedro struck again when he sent a free kick into the back of the net.

After the break Ze Pedro almost grabbed his hatrick goal when his shot in the 48th minute missed the net by inches. Pacos had their first real chance in the 65th minute when Didi missed horribly with the net wide open.

The away team were enjoying the majority of possession at this point of the game, but they failed to cause the Belenenses goalkeeper any problems. Dani, Pedrinha and Dani all tried to get Pacos on the scoreboard, but in vain.

Belenenses coach, Jorge Jesus:

“In the first half we played an excellent game. We were the only team who played to win. We could have scored more goals than we did.”

“In the second half Pacos risked everything and managed to gain a numerical advantage in the final third of the pitch, and we had to start defending our score. The Belenenses players were courageous.”

Pacos de Ferreira coach, Jose Mota:

“We started the game well and did not allow Belenenses to create any dangerous chances, only from dead-ball situations. Cristiano had a good header from which we could have scored. The penalty was a childish mistake.”

“We then became more organised and aggressive, but the second goal appeared, which again we were responsible for. At 2-0 it was more difficult. In the second half we ran a risk and created lots of chances, and we could have managed something more. We forced Belenenses to defend, but did not have luck.”

Belenenses:
Costinha, Sousa, Nivaldo, Gaspar, Rodgrio Alvim, Candido Costa (Sandro Gaucho, 70), Ruben Amorim, Ze Pedro, Silas, Eliseu (Rolando, 84), Dady (Roma, 78)
Yellow Cards: Ruben Amorim (24), Dady (30)

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Manqualde, Luiz Carlos, Geraldo, Fredy (Pedrinha, 67), Elisa (Edson, 41), Paulo Sousa, Cristiano, Dani, Ronny (Joao Paulo, 53), Didi
Yellow Cards: Paulo Sousa (11)

Goals:
[1-0] Ze Pedro, 15 (pen)
[2-0] Ze Pedro, 39