21 September 2007, by Tom Kundert

Luckless Pacos fall to last-gasp defeat

Pacos de Ferreira 0-1 AZ Alkmaar

Pacos de Ferreira took their bow in European competition with a highly creditable performance against Louis Van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar yesterday.

A goal in the last minute by Pocognoli gave the Dutch team a 1-0 victory, but Pacos can justifiably claim they deserved at least a draw after hitting the bar twice and seeing another chance cleared off the line during the 90 minutes.

The 1st leg of this Uefa Cup match was played at Boavista’s Estadio do Bessa given the limitations of the modest northern club’s own stadium.

Perhaps overawed by the occasion, Pacos began slowly and handed the initiative to the visitors who dominated the early stages. The lively Dembele twice forced Pecanha into excellent saves to keep the scores level in the opening 30 minutes.

However, Pacos then almost grabbed the lead when Edson produced a sublime lob that sailed over the head of AZ goalkeeper Waterman, only to bounce back into play off the bar.

The near thing galvanised the home side who went on to dominate the match against the fourth-ranked team in this year’s Uefa Cup.

In the second half the Dutch team enjoyed more luck as Dede battled his way into the box and saw his shot also crash against the bar, and minutes later only a desperate goal-line clearance from Steinsson prevented the home supporters from celebrating.

In the 89th minute a brilliant flying Pocognoli header flashed into the net to break Pacos’ hearts and put AZ Alkmaar in charge of the tie.

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Mangualde, Roversio, Luiz Carlos, Valdir, Dede, Filipe Anunciacao, Fernando Pilar (Pedrinha, 71), Ricardinho (Renato Queiros, 84), Edson (Marcio Carioca, 71), Cristiano

AZ Alkmaar:
Waterman, Steinsson, Jaciens, Donk, Opdam (Pocognoli, 73), Augustien, De Zeeuw, Martens, Ari, Dembele (Pele, 58), Jenner (Medunjanin, 80)

Goals:
[0-1) Pocognoli, 89