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20 September 2006, by Marco Pereira

New Setubal coach gets off to perfect start

Setubal 1-0 Boavista

Setubal obtained their first win of the season by overcoming Boavista 1-0 at the Bonfim last night. A 51st-minute Julien goal proved the difference between the teams in an entertaining encounter.

It was the perfect start for new Setubal coach Toni, who immediately made his mark by dropping Marco Tabuas and Lourenco, regulars under Helio Sousa, in favour of Joao Paulo and Julien.

Setubal started the game well, passing the ball around confidently and having several shots on goal, albeit none of which seriously disturbed Boavista goalkeeper William.

The first good opportunity came in the 26th minute as the visitors came close to scoring as Ze Manel had a shot blocked in front of goal by Setubal defender, Hugo, and Kazmierczak picked up the rebound but put his shot wide.

Boavista hit bar

Boavista continued to spurn opportunities as Setubal goalkeeper Joao Paulo misjudged a Ze Manel cross, but was saved from embarrassment by his defence as the ball was cleared for a Boavista corner. From the ensuing corner Grezlak saw his shot ricochet off the crossbar and go out of play for a goal kick.

The confident opening Setubal had made appeared to have deserted them, but just before half time Julien crossed the ball from the right where the waiting Ademar put his head to it and forced William to be at his best as he pushed the ball out for a corner.

The second half started with the only thing the game had been lacking - a goal - as Setubal scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 51st minute.

Julien did the honours after great work from Portugal Under-21 striker, Varela. The striker made a blinding run from Boavista’s midfield, beating two markers before playing a slick pass to Amuneke, who crossed the ball from the left and found an unmarked Julien to easily nudge it into the Boavista goal.

As expected, the game became livelier and Boavista and almost equalised in the 64th minute as Cisse’s header from a corner was deflected over the bar by Setubal’s Adalto.

Two minutes later Setubal twice came close to getting a second. First Amuneke’s shot deflected off Ricardo Silva marginally missing the net. From the resulting corner, Auri struck the ball powerfully only to see Boavista’s Zairi clear off the goal line.

As the game really opened up Setubal kept on pressing for an insurance goal and almost got it on 72 minutes when Adalto struck a hard shot towards goal which deflected off a Boavista defender forcing William to be sharp yet again to nullify the goal.

Boavista had one last opportunity to take a point home with them when Kazmierczak missed a glorious chance in front of the net before the final whistle blew, but he blasted his shot way wide of goal.

Toni radiant

Setubal coach Toni could not have asked for a better debut, but felt that all the credit should go to his players: “We have not had much time and because of this, I congratulate the players for their brilliant attitude. There is quality in this team. We want to make Setubal a team that is competitive and respected at every stadium.”

Boavista coach, Petrovic, and players alike were brought down to earth after their big win against Benfica last week: “We did not play the same way (tonight) as we did against Benfica. We suffered a goal as a result of being badly positioned. Afterwards, luck was not on our side in two good opportunities to score.”

“Football is like this. You win one week and lose the next,” the Montenegrin philosophised.

Boavista will re-group as they face Academica at the Bessa next week, while Setubal will try to build on their victory as they travel to Madeira to play Nacional.

Setubal:
Joao Paulo, Janicio, Hugo, Auri, Nandinho (Adalto, 45), Binho, Julien, Sandro, Ademar (Verissimo, 82) Varela, Bruno Ribeiro (Amuneke, 41)
Yellow Cards: Ademar (67), Janicio (85)

Boavista:
William, Helder Rosario, Ricardo Silva (Marcos Antonio, 84), Cisse, Mario Silva, Tiago, Lucas (Zairi, 59), Kazmierczak, Ze Manel, Grzelak (Fary, 59), Roland Linz
Yellow Cards: Mario Silva (45), Ze Manel (70), Cisse (81)

Goals:
[1-0] Julien, 51