23 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

Late strike gives Pacos share of the points

Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Benfica

Benfica let a victory slip through their fingers as they allowed Pacos de Ferreira to score a late equaliser to take a share of the points. Pacos managed to dodge the bullet again after their fortunate win against Sporting last week, and the 1-1 scoreline is somewhat flattering for Jose Mota’s men.

The game’s first highlight came in the 23rd minute when unmarked Benfica midfielder Katsouranis, put the visitors into the lead with a header from a fine Paulo Jorge cross.

Nuno Assis had to leave the game in the 29th minute as he suffered a facial injury when he slipped on the wet pitch and got a boot in the head from Cristiano. The first half ended with Benfica on top and looking sharp.

The second half started in lively fashion as Miccoli was unlucky not to double Benfica’s lead as he hit the post. But in the 52nd minute Benfica were dealt a blow when Leo was shown two yellow cards and consequently a red card for a foul and then protesting the initial yellow.

Leo’s sending off was Benfica’s fourth of the year in only three games, and the poor discipline is a worry for Fernando Santos, especially after Benfica had only four players sent off in the whole of last season.

It was ten against ten in the 75th minute when Luiz Carlos was shown his second yellow of the game for deliberately playing the ball with his arm.

Denied by the woodwork

With each team down to ten men, Benfica saw another opportunity come back off the post in the 79th minute when Luisao redirected a Simao free kick onto the woodwork with his right foot. In the 87th minute Benfica hit the post for the third time as Katsouranis’ shot cannoned back into play with the goalkeeper beaten.

Just when it seemed Benfica were heading for three points, Pacos tied the game in the 90th minute when substitute Joao Paulo headed the ball into the Benfica net from a Renato Queiros cross.

Benfica will feel hard done by after striking the woodwork three times, while a spirited Pacos, albeit with a sizeable dose of luck, have enjoyed a tremendous start to the season having had to face three of the teams who finished in the top four last year in their first four matches. A return of seven points will delight Jose Mota.

Mota acknowledged his team were lucky to walk away at the end of the night with a point, but would take it nonetheless: “We knew that Benfica would come into this game with a bit more purpose. In the first half, we committed some errors in our marking and did not play aggressively enough. We let Benfica play although we did not allow them too many opportunities to score.”

“In the second half we gave everything. We had luck on our side, as we had to give them space and they hit the post three times. Our audacity was rewarded with luck.”

Santos fury

Benfica coach, Fernando Santos, did not look for excuses and was furious with his team for allowing Pacos to tie the game so late on, and particularly with Leo’s behaviour which got him sent off.

“We controlled the game, but did not manage to increase the lead. We also played with one man less, again, incomprehensible! These attitudes cannot surface again! It penalises the entire team. It cannot happen again. We have already spoken about this, but it appears we have to speak about it again.”

“During injury time we cannot suffer a goal like that. The team has to be stronger. When our opponents were playing with 10 men, we should have controlled the game better. We had great opportunities to score, only to suffer a goal ourselves. I am not satisfied with the draw.”

Benfica’s Nuno Assis had to receive 10 stitches to close the wound on his face and will be reassessed to see if he is able to play on Tuesday against Manchester United.

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Manqualde (Pedrinha, 72), Geraldo, Luiz Carlos, Fredy, Paulo Sousa, Elias (Renato Queiros, 58), Dani, Didi (Joao Paulo, 82), Ronny, Cristiano
Yellow Cards: Manqualde (42), Paulo Sousa (48), Luiz Carlos (60, 75), Geraldo (75), Ronny (88)
Red Cards: Luiz Carlos (75)

Benfica:
Quim, Alcides, Luisao, Anderson, Leo, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Nuno Assis (Manu, 29) (Miguelito, 53), Paulo Jorge, Miccoli (Mantorras, 66), Simao
Yellow Cards: Anderson (16), Karagounis (28), Leo (52), Simao (83), Quim (84), Paulo Jorge (89)
Red Cards: Leo (52)

Goals:
[0-1] Katsouranis, 23
[1-1] Joao Paulo, 90