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3 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Ronny earns Pacos point in Setubal

Setubal 1-1 Pacos de Ferreira

Setubal and Pacos de Ferreira played to a 1-1- draw at the Bonfim in a soggy affair as heavy rain fell throughout the match. Both teams were reduced to less men than they started with before the night was through.

Setubal coach, Antonio Conceicao, changed his line-up as regulars, Julien, Ademar, and Nandinho gave way to Amuneke, Mario Carlos and Marcelo Labarthe, the last of whom got a rare start since being loaned to Setubal from Sporting.

The visitors started the game brightly as they looked to control the tempo of the game and lull Setubal into making a mistake. Their plan almost worked in the 13th minute as Didi missed a glorious opportunity. He was left with the net wide open only to shoot against a defender and watch the ball deflect over the crossbar.

Pacos were then reduced to ten men as Emerson was shown a straight red card for a deliberate shove on Setubal’s Mario Carlos.

Amuneke impresses

In the 26th minute Setubal took advantage of their numerical superiority and converted their first clear opportunity into a goal as Amuneke, by far their most impressive player over the last few games, crossed the ball into the six-yard box where Mario Carlos met it with a header to put his side 1-0 up.

Varela missed a chance putting his side two up four minutes later, as he misdirected his effort in front of the Pacos goal.

Pacos came desperately close to levelling the score in the 42nd minute as Renato Queiros saw his shot hit the post but Amuneke responded with a chance of his own just before the break which narrowly missed the Pacos net.

The visitors were not playing as if they were a man down and Ronny looked to equalise soon after the break with a snapshot that hit the side netting. It was then Setubal’s turn to have a player sent off as Sandro collected two yellow cards in the space of two minutes.

The turn of events had given Pacos an extra boost and they came close twice as substitute Edson saw his shot whistle past the left post, before Pacos’ Joao Paulo almost put his team level but Setubal’s goalkeeper, of the same name, did enough to put the striker off as he shot and the ball trickled wide.

Goal king Ronny

Persistence finally paid off for Pacos when Geraldo headed the ball back for a charging Ronny to slot into the net without letting the ball to hit the ground. The striker bagged his 5th goal of the season to remain top of the goalscoring charts.

Pacos had a second player sent off late in the game as Joao Paulo collected two yellow cards in the space of five minutes but Setubal could not take advantage of being one man up again before the final whistle.

Setubal’s coach, Antonio Conceicao, was unhappy with the outcome, saying: “We lost two points. We were an astute team, but it was our fault that we did not manage to obtain all three points.”

“We didn’t move the ball around when we had to and there was some nervousness within the team. We lost the ball with ease. We will have to improve from here on, but I am satisfied with my players’ commitment.”

Pacos de Ferreira coach, Jose Mota, felt the draw was a good result for both teams, and applauded his opponents: “It was a difficult game because Setubal have improved their game and we knew we were going to encounter difficulties. The state of the pitch was a disadvantage for both teams and the football was poor because of it.”

“After Emerson was exaggeratedly sent off Setubal became galvanised, exploited the flanks and scored their goal. My team didn’t do all they could to prevent the goal. In the second half we risked a little more, dominated the half and scored. I think both teams should be happy with the division of points.”

Setúbal:
Joao Paulo, Janicio, Auri, Verissimo (Fonseca, 25), Bruno Ribeiro, Sandro, Binho, Marcelo Labarthe (Julien, 73), Mario Carlos (Nandinho, 59), Varela, Amuneke
Yellow Cards: Verissimo (12), Binho (34), Sandro (53, 55), Marcelo Labarthe (72)
Red Cards: Sandro (55)

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Manqualde, Geraldo, Emerson, Fredy, Renato Queiros (Joao Paulo, 61), Paulo Sousa, Dani, Pedrinha (Edson, 57), Ronny (Antunes, 81), Didi
Yellow Cards: Pedrinha (36), Joao Paulo (79), Manqualde (90)
Red Cards: Emerson (14), Joao Paulo (86)

Goals:
[1-0] Mario Carlos, 26
[1-1] Ronny, 74