25 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Improving Academica peg back Boavista

Boavista 2-2 Academica

Boavista and Academica played out an entertaining goal fest at the Bessa last night which ended up all square as each team took a point home in a 2-2 draw. Boavista registered their fourth point on the season while Academica earned their third draw.

The festivities got underway on the 22nd minute when Roland Linz got his third goal of the season. The Austrian import tapped in a Lucas pass into the box to give the Black Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Just before half time, Academica got level from a stupendous Lino free kick which left Boavista goalkeeper William with no chance of reaching the inch perfect strike.

After the restart the Students took the lead for the first time on the night in the 55th minute when Gyano latched onto a Litos header and smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Now with a nose for goal, Academica were starting to pour forward and almost scored another from a Filipe Texeira back heel in the 65th minute that William had to deflect for a corner kick. From the ensuing corner Litos headed the ball towards Gyano whose shot hit the side-netting.

Then from out of the blue Boavista found their equaliser in the 70th minute when Helder Rosario met a Ricardo Sousa corner with a strong header to make it 2-2.

Boavista tried to get the win in injury time with a couple of late chances. First, Ricardo Sousa was in prime position to do better but could only send his shot sailing wide and Fary did no better also when well placed.

Boavista coach Petrovic was not looking to make excuses for his team’s draw as he felt it was a lack of concentration at key moments that prevented them from obtaining the full three points.

“We started the match well and dominated for the first 35 minutes, during which time Boavista played brilliantly. Yet, we lacked concentration during the plays that led to their goals and this influenced the result.”

Petrovic recognised that his team were better than in their loss last week to Setubal, but also felt that missed chances again hurt them.

After admitting that he would have considered a draw a good result before the match, Academica coach Manuel Machado felt his side could have won the game.

“This draw is small consolation as we had three or four opportunities to put the game away. If we had focussed better, the result could have been different.”

Nevertheless, Machado was happy with his players’ performances and the spirit they showed after they went a goal down. The Coimbra club will be hoping to register their first win next week at home to Nacional, while Boavista travel to Belenenses.

Boavista:
William, Helder Rosario, Ricardo Silva, Cisse, Mario Silva, Tiago, Kazmierczak (Ricardo Sousa, 62), Lucas, Ze Manel (Fary, 84), Roland Linz, Grzelak (Zairi, 69)
Yellow Cards: Tiago (77)

Academica:
Pedro Roma, Sonkaya, Litos, Medeiros, Lino, Milos Pavlovic, Roberto Brum, Alexandre (Gyano, 33), Miguel Pedro (Nuno Piloto, 79), Dame (Vitor Vinha, 54), Filipe Texeira
Yellow Cards: Dame (18), Miguel Pedro (28), Litos (52)

Goals:
[1-0] Roland Linz, 22
[1-1] Lino, 43
[1-2] Gyano, 55
[2-2] Helder Rosario, 70