An experiment that went badly wrong

An experiment that went badly wrong

Portugal 0-2 Cape Verde 

A shadow Seleção team fell to a disappointing defeat against Cape Verde in Estoril tonight. First-half goals from Odair Fortes and Gegé gave the African side a thoroughly deserved victory in front of their partying fans. 

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has been criticised in some quarters for sticking to the old guard in Euro 2016 qualifying matches, but on tonight's showing the young pretenders are still some way short of being fit to replace the veterans. 

 

Four absolute debutants lined up for Portugal – Anthony Lopes, Paulo Oliveira, André Pinto and Bernardo Silva – in an experimental side led by Fernando Santos, back on the bench as his two-game suspension only applies to competitive fixtures.

Santos would give three other players their first cap as second-half substitutes: Ukra, Danilo Pereira and André André. However, for those who like online sports gaming, it would appear easier to pick a winner at Grand National Day betting 2015 than banking on these seven becoming regulars in the senior Seleção squad any time soon.

It was Cape Verde, backed up by a noisy and numerous contingent of fans in the stands from the large Cape Verdean community living in and around Lisbon, who settled more quickly, with captain Heldon particularly lively on the left flank, keeping his club colleague Cédric Soares busy.

Portugal's team had been thrown together with just a couple of training sessions behind them, and it showed in the disjointed nature of their play.

In stark contrast, Cape Verde showed why they have made huge strides in recent years. Rui Águas's team were well organised, competitive and confident, with some particularly impressive fast counter-attacking moves causing panic in the Portuguese defence. 

Two goals in quick succession shortly before half time sent the African team's supporters into raptures. First an Odair Fortes cross looped over the head of Lopes and nestled into the net via the woodwork. While the opener was something of a freak goal, the second was well worked as a free kick on the edge of the box was flicked on to the waiting Gegé at the far post, with the Marítimo centre-back gleefully smashing the ball into the net from point-blank range. 

Portugal trooped off at the break with little to smile about, and it did not get any better in the second half. On the hour mark Heldon stole the ball in midfield, sped past two defenders and was clattered by last man André Pinto, leaving the referee with no option but to brandish the red card. 

Portugal's hopes of a comeback ended there. 

 

Portugal's stand-outs

On a forgettable night for the Seleção, few players did themselves many favours in terms of enhancing their chances of breaking into the first-choice Portugal team. Nevertheless, the following had their moments. 

Bernardo Silva - By some way Portugal's most accomplished performer. Looked for the ball constantly, showed flashes of exceptional skill and a sense of urgency and energy patently lacking in his team-mates. 

João Mário - Not as exuberent or involved as Bernardo, but also displayed some sublime touches. 

Ukra - Came on for the second half and injected Portugal's left flank with more life. Worked hard and asked questions of the Cape Verde defence.

André André - A late substitute, the Vitória Guimarães midfielder put in a busy cameo, constantly calling for the ball and keen to make things happen. 

 

by Tom Kundert, at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota 

Portugal:

Anthony Lopes, Cédric (Pizzi, 65’), André Pinto, Paulo Oliveira, Antunes, Adrien (André André, 65’), João Mário (Ukra, 45’), André Gomes (André Almeida, 80’), Bernardo Silva (Danilo,61’), Hugo Almeida (Éder, 65’), Vieirinha

Goals:

[0-1] Odair Fortes, 37'

[0-2] Gegé, 43'