Guimaraes one win away from making history

Belenenses 1-1 Vitoria Guimaraes

Guimaraes earned a crucial point at Belenenses yesterday to hold on to third place and keep their dreams of playing Champions League football next season very much alive.

Should the northerners beat Estrela da Amadora at home next weekend they will guarantee third place and start preparing for the final qualifying round to enter the world’s greatest club competition come next August.

Belenenses started the match still clinging on to a chance of making it into the Uefa Cup, and the hosts began in dominant fashion. Weldon scored after just five minutes and the Blues looked more likely to double their lead than relinquish it during a sustained period of pressure.

The visitors gradually began to get a foothold in the match and on the half hour mark Flavio Meireles was fastest to react to a Desmarets corner and knock the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Dubious decision

Clearly boosted by the goal Guimaraes began to put heavy pressure on Belenenses, and Ghilas was unlucky to have a goal ruled out for a dubious offside decision shortly before the break.

Guimaraes continued to enjoy the upper hand in the second half, but failed to translate their greater possession into clear-cut scoring chances.

It would be Belenenses who came closest to snatching all three points when only a magnificent Nilson save prevented a powerful Ze Pedro shot from finding the back of the net.

No doubt Guimaraes’ fanatical fans will fill the Dom Afonso Henriques stadium next Sunday as Manuel Cajuda’s team seek the win they need against Estrela da Amadora to make history and qualify for the Champions League.

Belenenses:
Julio Cesar, Amaral, Rolando, Edson, Rodrigo Alvim, Gomez, Ze Pedro, Silas, Rafael Bastos (Fernando, 84), João Paulo (Roncatto, 74), Weldon

Guimaraes:
Nilson, Andrezinho, Sereno, Geromel, Momha, Flavio Meireles, Joao Alves (Fajardo, 74), Desmarets, Carlitos (Roberto, 14), Alan (Marquinho, 66), Ghilas

Goals:
[1-0] Weldon, 5
[1-1] Meireles, 29