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| Sunday, 02 October 2011 21:26 |
Academica 0-3 FC PortoDragons cruise to victory in Coimbra After a trying week, Vitor Pereira and FC Porto righted the ship with a routine 3-0 win at Academica tonight, with former club hero Pedro Emanuel unable to conjure up anything to trouble the Dragons. Walter took full advantage of his insertion into the starting eleven, opening the scoring with a neat header, before James doubled the lead six minutes later. Guarin added another just before the hour mark, as Porto’s unbeaten Liga run stretched to forty-six matches.
Pedro Emanuel named an unchanged side from Academica’s impressive 4-0 win over Feirense in round six, whilst Vitor Pereira was forced to draft in Walter, with Kleber recovering from his injury sustained against Zenit. Fredy Guarin also returned for the Dragons, replacing Belluschi. The opening twenty minutes could best be described as tentative. Academica found some openings down the channels, but were generally content to cede the initiative to Porto, who were themselves a little hesitant on the ball. Both sides took time to find their passing range – indeed; neither goalkeeper was tested until after the mid point of the first half. With the two midfields cancelling each other out, incisive deliveries were always likely to be the primary instigator of goalmouth action, and so it proved in the 27th minute, when Porto took the lead through Walter. Hulk’s free kick was whipped in with real venom, and the reserve centre forward ghosted in between two markers to guide a header beyond Peiser with impressive precision. The former Internacional man has struggled to impose himself in the starting eleven since arriving in Portugal, but tonight saw him perform a vital role.  Six minutes later, Porto doubled their lead. James, who was one of the quietest performers in Russia, played a short pass to Hulk after cutting inside, and kept running to meet the deft return flick from the number twelve, a flick which split the Academica defence asunder. The Colombian youngster kept his cool and slotted beyond Peiser, his fifth goal of the season. The two-goal cushion handed Porto a measure of control, which they maintained both sides of the interval. The second half was fairly uneventful, although it may have unfolded differently had Helton not managed to divert Adrien’s low drive around the post eight minutes in. Just as the hour mark approached, Porto sealed the points. Moutinho knocked down Helton’s long ball forward for James, and the Colombian darted beyond the Academica back line and squared for Guarin, who stroked home from inside the box. Porto saw out the remainder of the match without too much trouble, and are neck and neck with Benfica heading into the international break. Their Liga campaign resumes at home to Nacional on October 23rd. Round Seven concludes with Gil Vicente - Beira-Mar on Monday evening. Goals [0-1] Walter, 27’ [0-2] James, 33’ [0-3] Guarin, 59’ Ben Shave |
I think he's a bit limited in motivation during a match and he's a also a bit like Jesualdo doing the subs (always plays it safe with little flashes of genius, as a dogma). It is also necessary to give him time, he's still getting used to the chair not of his dreams, but where he want to be.
Maybe V.P is a kind of a Carlos Queiroz, top assistant coach and tactical analyst, but limited first manager and reasonable motivator.
In general I was pleased with Porto display against one brave Academica and I believe in Vitor Pereira work.
Porto and Benfica will have tons of pressure in winning the league and advancing in the CL.
I was under the impression that Sporting and Braga would fall by the wayside, but they have surprised. Sporting has been playing much better, sooner than expected, and are within striking distance. Braga, expect for this weekend, as been able to maintain last seasons form.
As a Benfiquista, until we pass Porto in the standings, we are in 2nd. Porto won the title last season, and that puts them on top, in my eyes. Tie breakers are only for the conclusion of the season. Anyways, this early in the season, I don't mind looking up and having something to shoot at.
I can't say I agree with them however. It's weird how the official lpfp website and many others have Porto on top. You'd think they would know the rules themselves seeing as they created them?!
Maybe point (c) is only used when both teams have played twice? It doesn't specifically state that, so I don't know if that's the case or not.
The only thing that matters is Porto will be top at the end of the season anyway!! He says....
The official criteria for league standings if two or more teams are level on points is as follows:
a. Number of points won by clubs in game or games between them;
b. Goal difference in game or games between them;
c. Highest number of goals scored by away team in game or games between them;
d. Goal difference in whole competition;
e. Highest number of victories in whole competition;
f. Most goals in whole competition.
The LPFP points out that it only applies the criteria when the league has finished.
I've always wondered why, but perhaps the current situation explains it. Benfica are top because of criterion c, although you can argue that is unfair because Porto could not possibly score more goals away as the match at the Luz hasn't even been played yet.
If you ignored (c), Porto would be top in line with (d) because they have a better goal difference (+12 compared to Benfica's +11). Benfica win criteria (f), scoring 19 goals compared to Porto's 17.
Basically it boils down to two incredibly well matched teams. I've got a feeling it's going to be a titanic fight this year!
Keep the comments coming.
According to the official lpfp site, Porto are top of the league and not Benfica as displayed at the bottom of this website!! Abola.pt & Soccerway also agrees.
Sorry for being petty but as a diehard Portista I don't like to see the name of Benfica above us!!
I know head to head records are used when teams are level on points but I guess as we've only played once, which was a draw, goal difference is used until we've played twice? This means Benfica's stay at the top of the table was only a minor 24 hour blip!
Please put Benfica back where they belong....looking up at the champions, FC Porto!!
As for the game, I couldn't get to see it, so thank you for the wonderful write up!
Strika - Pedro Mendes has been injured, surprise surprise. No idea on Maniche, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up at Hearts with Paulo Sérgio.
Ben