Big three showing much promise ahead of new season
Weekend friendlies: Porto, Benfica and Sporting impress
  Pre-season can be a wonderful time for supporters. No matter how badly the previous campaign went, the flurry of new signings and the fact all teams begin level-pegging inevitably raises hopes of glorious conquests over the following nine months.
Judging by the form shown so far by Portugal’s traditional big three, confidence will be riding high among Portistas, Benfiquistas and Sportinguistas. We could be in for a memorable 2010/11.
The incredible Hulk
Porto 2-1 Sampdoria
Two early goals by man-of-match Fernando and Hulk gave FC Porto a richly deserved victory over Champions League participants Sampdoria tonight. Cassano replied for the Italians from the penalty spot but the Seria A side were lucky to escape from the Estadio do Dragao without a heavier defeat.
Much of the talk pre-match had been about the expected presentation of striker Walter, but the Brazilian was nowhere to be seen, ensuring the longest running transfer saga of the summer will continue to rumble on. World Cup participants Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles and Jorge Fucile also took no part in the match, but it did not stop Porto turning in a highly polished display.
The hosts completely dominated the first half, with Joao Moutinho, Ruben Micael and Fernando showing excellent dynamism and understanding in midfield. Fernando, who has been earmarked for a more attacking role by new coach Andre Villas Boas, broke the deadlock as he headed in a Moutinho cross.
Almost immediately Hulk continued his brilliant pre-season form with an excellent cut inside and powerful left-foot shot that crashed into the net. Sampdoria hit back before the break as Cassano scored a penalty conceded by Emideo Rafael.
Hulk, Falcao, Fernando and James Rodriguez all came close to giving the scoreline a more accurate reflection of the game, but Porto had to settle for the one-goal victory. Villas Boas will not mind about that. With the Dragons improving match by match the young coach seems determined to get his side back to the top of Portuguese football in double quick time.
Aimar magic
Benfica 3-2 Monaco
As has been the case throughout pre-season, Benfica showed potent attacking ability but a somewhat porous defence. In front of a big crowd at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday night, the Eagles ran out 3-2 winners in an entertaining encounter.
After a lukewarm start Benfica began to get into their stride, and Airton put the hosts ahead on the half hour mark with a thunderous header. However, two goals in three minutes just before the break turned the result around. First Sagbo took full advantage of a Carlos Martins mistake, then Mongongu scored from the penalty spot after Cesar Peixoto had fouled in the box.
The second half saw the first appearance of Fabio Coentrao since his heroic World Cup exploits. On 50 minutes a moment of magic from Pablo Aimar brought the house down, as the Argentine drilled a wonderful 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net.
Substitute Oscar Cardozo got the winner with his first touch of the ball, converting a Fabio Coentrao cross. The nature of Benfica’s performance suggests Jorge Jesus’ team will again be highly entertaining this season as they look to defend their Portuguese championship crown.
Chileans to the fore
Sporting 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Sporting followed up their excellent win over Manchester City with another positive display. Chilean pair Matias Fernandez and Jaime Valdes netted as the Lions drew with Champions League participants Tottenham Hotspur in the New York Football Challenge.
Veteran striker Robbie Keane put the Premier League team ahead in the 24th minute as he sprung the offside trap, raced down on goal and slotted underneath Rui Patricio.
The lead was short-lived however, as Sporting responded with a devastating goal. Highly rated youngster Diogo Salomao produced an outrageous cross with the outside of his left foot, that Matias Fernandez met sweetly with a flying header from the penalty spot that nestled in the top corner of the net with the goalkeeper helpless.
New signing Valdes then got in on the act with another fine goal. The Chilean winger jinked his way past a series of tackles before shooting low and hard into the net from the edge of the area.
Spurs equalised when a loose ball from Maniche was intercepted by Keane who split the flat-footed Sporting defence with a throughball to Obika, whose shot squirmed under Patricio and into the net.
Sporting could be crowned winners of the tournament, depending on the result of the match between the NY Red Bulls and Manchester City later today, but regardless of picking up silverware or not, Paulo Sergio will be delighted with the way his players have showed steady improvement and no little potential throughout pre-season.
The Sporting coach said as much after the game, adding that his side “were ready” for the Europa League first-leg clash in Denmark against Nordsjealland on Thursday.
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I do admit of tweeking the Sporting fan, since my favorite team is Benfica, and my second favorite is whoever beats Sporting. I've had a lot of second favorites as of late.
All kidding aside, I would love for Portugal to regain its 3rd Champions League spot, and that will only come with great European play from all the Liga ZON Sagres teams.
I for one was happy to see Braga contending for the title, and although happy that Sporting flopped, I would have prefered to see them closer to the top three.
I'm sad to see Braga not improving their squad and if anything actually diminishing it. Eduardo is going to be a huge loss, especially with the #1 not even decided upon as of yet.
Guimaraes, has seemed to have shaken off last season end of season fiasco, and hopefully will contend. If you remember Guimaraes was robbed/sucker punched/swindled out of a win vs Braga. It was one of the most outrageous game endings I have ever seen. Amazingly, I don't think the ref was reprimended.
Benfica has played well, and I'm not so worried about their current defensive play. All the talk of the defenders moving, has to distabilize a bit. Once the season begins you would think that will straighten itself out, should nobody move.
I do worry about Roberto in goal. He got off to a very shaky start which puts him behind the eight ball with the fans. He is going to have to come up big in key spots.
I also want to see Martins and Aimar working better in teh midfield, and figure out who will replace Ramires in tracking back.
For me the biggest surprise has to be how well Airton has played. He has been more effective than Garcia. It provides Jesus with tactical options.
Porto will be better. Having Micael back and healthy will shore up the midfield. I've never been a big Moutinho fan, but he's fine for Liga ZON Sagres, and having better players around him will allow him to possibly thrive.
Speaking of thriving, Hulk will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, since he might be responsible for Porto's collapse last seaspn. i think it was more the porous midfield. In any case, I think that he'll win the Golden Boot this upcoming season.
I do feel that Porto must keep B. Alves. Yes I know that Porto is the center back making/finding machine, but we all saw what happened last season when they let two leaders go. They need his presence.
It's crazy, but I've actually watched Sporting the most this preseason. Even crazier, they've impressed me. Their midfield play has been very crisp, with Mendes playing very well. Postiga has also looked great, but I wonder if he'll hold up for the whole season.
Upfront, there is still work to be done, and I'm not convinced of Djalo. He might be quick, but gets pushed off the ball to often and easily. His decision making isn't the best either.
At teh back, J. Perreira has really looked good going forward on the right, and Evaldo really brings a physical presence on the left. Both looked good going forward. The two center backs have to be a concern, since when tested they looked shaky. In trouble, they look sloppy and never smooth.
In any case congratulations to them for winning the Barclays NY Challenge, verse some quality opponents.
That being said, Sporting has looked very good, and could be right there this season. Crazy for me to say, since they have been a mess in the offseason, with the possible "Maca Podre" sitting at the helm. We'll also see how this Veloso situation will play out. Genoa says a deal is done, while Sporting keep calling him back. I find it funny that a guiy that has wanted to leave for the last three years, all of a sudden claims to bleed Sporting green. He also hasn't featured so far.