16 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Machado fury at “persecuting” referee

Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Academica

It was a wild night at the Mata Real as Pacos de Ferreira and Academica came away with a point apiece and saw 9 yellow cards and 2 red cards brandished in the process.

Miguel Pedro gave Academica the lead in the first half, but a controversial late penalty converted by Luiz Carlos saved a point for the home team.

Academica started the game in positive fashion and as early as he 3rd minute Gyano just missed tapping the ball into the net after a pinpoint cross from Lino. Three minutes later, Gelson barely missed the net with a header and in the 7th minute Gyano again failed to put the students one up when he was one-on-one against Pacos goalkeeper, Pecanha, forcing the keeper into a good save.

The two sides traded further chances before Academica got a much deserved goal when Miguel Pedro managed to slip the ball between Pecanha’s legs and into the net, despite a despairing attempt at a sliding stop by Paulo Sousa.

Ten minutes later Miguel Pedro was at it again when he took a free kick that almost found its way into the net, only for keeper Pecanha to make another excellent save.

Seeing his team were at sixes and sevens, Pacos coach Jose Mota opted to take off Elias and substitute him with wide wan, Edson. Nothing resulted from the change as the first half ended with Academica still on top.

Controversy erupted in the 63rd minute when Pavlovic was given marching orders for alleged time wasting, receiving his second yellow of the game. Jose Mota opted to put on another striker, Renato Queiros, in the hope of at least tying the game.

Didi completely missed a header in he 75th minute and the Liga’s leading goal-scorer, Ronny, could not believe his luck as Academica goalkeeper, Pedro Roma, produced an outstanding save to keep his team in the lead.

When it appeared Academica would finally get their first win of the season, disaster struck when the referee whistled for a penalty in the 85th minute. Kaka was dubiously adjudged to have brought down Pacos winger Edson and the students were so incensed that Pedro Roma was given a yellow for protesting the call.

Pacos defender Luiz Carlos slotted the spot kick into the net to level for the home side. To complete a frustrating afternoon for Academica, after the final whistle Lino was shown a second yellow card for further protesting the penalty call as the players headed towards the tunnel.


Pacos coach, Jose Mota:
“We started the game badly, very carelessly, and Academica took advantage. We were not intelligent. With the introduction of Edson, we expanded our attack and were more determined, more aggressive and obliged our opponents to retreat.”

“We were a hard working team that completely dominated the second half, and we managed to draw at the death.”

Academica coach, Manuel Machado:
“I make a plea to those who look after the officials: I never want this referee to officiate any of my games again! How many times over the last five years have I won with this referee? It is a persecution by this referee on my character.”

“My team were really good in the first half. We created three opportunities in 10 minutes before we scored the first goal which was clearly deserved. Pedro Roma was not called upon to make one difficult save.”

“Afterwards, there were factors that determined the course of the game. First, there was the sending off of our player when the yellow card was shown to the wrong player. Second, a penalty was awarded that did not exist, and then Lino got sent off for protesting.”

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Manqualde (Renato Queiros, 64), Geraldo, Luiz Carlos, Fredy, Elias (Edson, 36), Paulo Sousa, Dani, Didi, Ronny, Cristiano (Antunes, 79)
Yellow Cards: Geraldo (69), Renato Queiros (72), Luiz Carlos (88)

Academica:
Pedro Roma, Sonkaya, Kaka, Danilo, Lino, Roberto Brum, Milos Pavlovic, Alexandre, Miguel Pedro (Filipe Teixeira, 48), Gyano (Dame, 82), Gelson (Paulo Sergio, 66)
Yellow Cards: Milos Pavlovic (29), Roberto Brum (32), Alexandre (59), Kaka (86), Pedro Roma (86), Lino (90)
Red Cards: Milos Pavlovic (63), Lino (90)

Goals:
[0-1] Miguel Pedro, 26
[1-1] Luiz Carlos, 87 (pen)