16 October 2006, by Tom Kundert

Three out of three for impressive Nacional

Nacional 2-1 Belenenses

Nacional beat Belenenses 2-1 on Sunday to record a third straight win. After a nightmare start to the season, which saw the islanders lose their first four matches, Carlos Brito’s team have now moved up to sixth in the table.

Belenenses were the first to threaten when an excellent Gaspar run down the left wing ended with a shot at goal, but Nacional goalkeeper Diego collected the ball comfortably.

But the home team took the lead in the 15th minute when Alonso swung over a cross that Ricardo Fernandes rose well to head into the back of the net. However, the home fans had little time to celebrate, as five minutes later Belenenses drew level.

Ruben Amorim played a clever corner to the edge of the area for the onrushing Rodrigo Alvim to fire a fine shot past Diego for the equaliser.

Nacional twice came close to reclaiming the lead close to the interval, first through Alonso who hit a powerful effort against the bar, then through Bruno Amaro, who was only denied by a superb save from Costinha.

Nacional started the second half strongly, and only another good piece of goalkeeping from Costinha prevented Chilikov from scoring.

The islanders turned up the pressure on a disappointing Belenenses, and it was no surprise when Bruno Amaro put the home team back in front, hitting a thunderous shot past Costinha just before the hour mark.

Belenenses coach Jorge Jesus threw on striker Dady to try and salvage something from the game, and shortly after entering the fray the Cape Verdean forward hit the post.

But Nacional held on for a deserved victory. Next week the Madeira team travel to Boavista while Belenenses host Pacos de Ferreira.

Nacional:
Diego, Patacas, Cardozo, Ricardo Fernandes, Alonso, Chainho, Bruno Amaro, Bruno (Cleber, 90), Ze Vítor, Pateiro (Juliano Spadacio, 77), Adriano (Chilikov, 45)

Belenenses:
Costinha, Gaspar, Nivaldo, Rolando (Dady, 62), Rodrigo Alvim, Rúben Amorim, Silas, Eliseu, Candido Costa, Sandro Gaucho (Sousa, 78), Roma (Fabio Januario, 75)
Yellow Cards: Rolando (35)

Goals:
[1-0] Ricardo Fernandes, 15
[1-1] Alvim, 20
[1-2] Bruno Amaro, 58