The 2014/15 campaign was another highly competitive season in Portugal’s third tier competition – the CNS (Campeonato Nacional de Seniores).
It’s fair to say that the north came out on top numerically, with two sides from the northern mainland winning places in Liga 2 (the well-supported Varzim and Famalicão) to the south’s one side. However, the title ultimately belonged to the south in the shape of Mafra.
This is the story of the three clubs who made the journey to Portugal’s second tier last term.
Famalicão
1st Phase - Pl: 18 W: 12 D: 3 L: 3 F: 32 A: 14 Pts: 39 1st
CNS Norte - Pl: 14 W: 12 D: 2 L: 0 F: 25 A: 3 Pts: 38 1st
Winners of the CN Seniores Norte were the side from Vila Nova de Famalicão, located between Porto’s northern suburbs and Braga. Ultimately, the club won the division comfortably with an 8-point gap from second placed, Varzim. Even more impressive is the way in which they took top spot - unbeaten throughout the 14 games of the second phase of the season and conceding only three goals in that time, while netting 25. But such a comfortable CNS Norte win would not have been in the crystal ball of many pundits after the side only finished top of Série B on goal difference from both Varzim and Vizela.
It should also be pointed out that Varzim went on to have a superb campaign in the Taça de Portugal too. They made it all the way to the quarter-finals where they were dispatched 4-0 at the Alvalade by eventual winners Sporting. On the way to the glamour tie, the side had knocked out another Liga NOS side in Paços de Ferreira, 2-1 at the Mata Real.
Vilaça and Brazilian, Luiz Alberto, who managed 38 and 28 appearances respectively, were the predominant centre-back pairing for the season. Much of Famalicão’s defensive strength must be credited to them but also summer signing from AD Oliveirense, Murta (35) who stood between the sticks for 34 games, including all 14 of the second phase of the season.
In midfield, the signing of Guinea Bissau international holding man, Ibraima, proved a master stroke as “Mr Dependable” went on to clock up 35 appearances over the season. He also contributed a healthy 4 goals to the cause. But it was Brazilian midfielder, Mércio, who proved the gem in the midfield with 9 goals from 30 appearances in all competitions. The 35-year-old has been retained for the forthcoming Liga 2 season and will be hoping to replicate his good form.
But it was local boy made good, Correia, who must take the plaudits for goalscoring this season, notching up 13 goals in total. Again, much will be expected of the 26-year-old in Liga 2, but he will be competing against new signings in Brazilian, Leandro Souza, from Moreirense and also Ivory Coast’s, Christon Amessan, who has arrived from Liga NOS new boys, União Madeira.
Varzim
1st Phase - Pl: 18 W: 12 D: 3 L: 3 F: 36 A: 13 Pts: 39 2nd
CNS Norte - Pl: 14 W: 9 D: 3 L: 2 F: 23 A: 10 Pts: 30 2nd
Varzim’s club anthem features a line that states “Hinos de glória, Varzim!”. A betting man would put a pretty safe wager on the fact that has been sung many times this summer by the club’s numerous supporters after a superb campaign. The club from Porto’s far northern suburbs has returned to Liga 2 for the first time since the 2010/11 campaign when they finished 15th and were relegated to the third tier.
Despite finishing 2nd to Famalicão in Série B - and only ahead of 3rd placed Vizela on goal difference - at the end of 1st Phase, the men from Póvoa de Varzim comfortable sealed promotion with a 3-1 aggregate play-off win over Casa Pia in June. And this was all against the backdrop of losing coach, Vítor Paneira, with 5 games still to play. Paneira went on to join Liga 2 winners, CD Tondela after the 3rd May defeat at Norte winners, Famalicão, 1 of only 6 defeats spread over the season.
Quim Berto stepped into the breach for Varzim and guided the side to 4 straight wins and a draw. The draw was the final game and second leg of the promotion play-off against Casa Pia, by which time the hard work had already been done by the new man in charge.
The season before, in 2013/14, Varzim had finished in 7th position in Série B. So where did it all go right this campaign? For a start there were some shrewd signings, none more so than 31-year-old Brazilian striker, Diego Mourão, who netted 16 goals for the season and finished second on the Série B top scorers list with 15 in the league. The tall striker from Belo Horizonte scored goals spread over the season and will be relied upon to fire the side to consolidation in the 2015-16 Liga 2 campaign.
Also joining the club last summer was Rui Coentrão, a 21-year-old who joined from Liga 2 side, Leixões. He made the left-wing slot his own during the campaign and contributed 10 goals in all competitions. This included one in the 2-1 upset of Liga NOS side, Estoril, in the 3rd elimination round of the Taça de Portugal in October.
Whilst on the subject of goals, it would be remiss to neglect mention of 35-year-old Nelsinho, now in his third spell with the club. He managed 11 goals in all competitions from the number 10 role, behind Mourão. Included in the midfielder’s tally were some important goals such as penalties against Estoril and Gil Vicente in the successful Taça de Portugal campaign. Also, there was a goal in each of the promotion play-off games against Casa Pia, the second of which was in the 80th minute of the second leg to settle the nerves and ultimately seal promotion at the Lisbon side’s expense.
At the other end of the pitch was the steady presence of centre-half, Sandro. The 32-year-old Fafe-born player appeared in all but one of Varzim’s games during the 2014/15 campaign, racking up 37 appearances in all competitions. Only a red card against Famalicão in game 17 of Série B prevented Sandro from appearing in every game this season. Added to that were the 8 valuable goals he contributed to the side. He will surely have a large part to play as Varzim attempt to ground themselves in Liga 2 for the coming season.
An area where strengthening may need to take place is between the sticks as first-choice goalkeeper, Pedro Soares, made a total of 26 appearances during the season. This was broken up by reasonable spells on the bench when he was replaced by another new signing, Ricardo, from Moreirense. The 34-year-old played an additional 13 games, including one as a substitute in the second leg against Casa Pia after Pedro Soares’ sending off. A third option for goalkeeper could be the 20-year-old Marinho who has yet to make a senior appearance for Varzim but did manage 37 games for the B team which finished 2nd in the Elite AF Porto this season.
One player who won’t be appearing for Varzim this coming season is 25-year-old Brazilian right-winger, Amilton. The Pernambuco native made 37 appearances in all competitions in 2014/15 and scored 5 goals. Unfortunately for Varzim, that form has encouraged União Madeira to sign him for their return to the Liga NOS.
Mafra
1st Phase - Pl: 18 W: 11 D: 3 L: 4 F: 28 A: 12 Pts: 36 2nd
CNS Sul - Pl: 14 W: 8 D: 4 L: 2 F: 15 A: 8 Pts: 28 1st
Flying the flag for the CNS Sul, were Mafra. Nestled just north of Lisbon’s suburbs, and home to the stunning Palacio Nacional, Mafra did it the hard way. The club changed coach on no fewer than three occasions over the season and actually finished 2nd in the 1st Phase of the campaign. Their goals scored total in the 2nd phase also speaks volumes as they managed only just over a goal a game on average, yet still took the CNS title after beating Famalicão 4-3 on penalties in Marinha Grande, having drawn 1-1 after extra time.
Mafra began the season under the tutelage of Jorge Simão and it was he who oversaw the sound recruitment in the summer of the likes of top scorer to be, Rui Varela (12), and also second top scorer, Ruca (7), a left-back who arrived from Mirandela. Also weighing in with the goals was Brazilian number 10 / winger, Alisson (6), who spent a period of time partnering Varela in the forward line. However, he went on a barren spell from 16th November to 24th May without finding the net in what proved to be a problem area for Mafra - goals. The club will be hoping that the signing of former Portugal Under-20 international Diogo Ribeiro from Belenenses will help to remedy that issue, as well as the arrival of 27-year-old Nigerian, Abraham Adelaja, who has spent the past two seasons with Farense. Standing at 1.97m, he will add another dimension to Mafra’s attack.
Despite problems in the final third, Mafra were very good defensively and conceded only 8 goals in the 14 Sul phase games and kept 7 clean sheets in that time. Much of the credit for this impressive total can be attributed to the steady presence of centre-half, Marco Baixinho, who had to wait until the 5th game of the season to become a regular fixture in the back four. His impressive form has now earned him a move into the Liga NOS with Paços de Ferreira for 2015/16. Partnering him in the heart of the Mafra defence this season has been Brazilian, Sandro, who made 31 appearances in all competitions. The former Grémio, Olhanense and Leixões man signed in the summer from Azorean club, Santa Clara, and proved a mainstay, despite sitting on the bench for the CNS title final. With Baixinho moving on to pastures new, the club has moved to sign 21-year-old André Teixeira from Trofense, with whom he made 21 appearances last season. He will likely partner Sandro for the Liga 2 season ahead.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Mafra’s title-winning season was the presence of three players from China. Wingers, Yuhao Liu (20), and Jinliang Wang (20), were joined by centre-half, Pengei Han (21). All three had been with Mafra since 2013 but had only made sporadic appearances. Liu and Wang had also spent the 2013/14 season on loan to local side, Vila Franca do Rosário, of the AF Lisbon league. However the three managed only 15 appearances in total for Mafra in 2014/15 and all but Han have been released for the Liga 2 season ahead under the guidance of new coach, Jorge Neves.
By Paul Gellard (Follow Paul on twitter)
