Portimonense: That sinking feeling
Portimonense remain winless after 12 games this year following the latest loss to Estoril in Lisbon last Saturday afternoon.
The home side began stronger and could have been ahead after quarter of an hour when André Franco successfully lobbed Samuel in the Portimonense goal only to see his attempt rebound off the crossbar.
Samuel then saved well from Ruiz before a series of corners increased the pressure, culminating in a Joãozinho cross into the area which Mboula comfortably tucked away after Franco’s initial shot had been blocked by Willyan.
The situation did not improve as Francisco Geraldes carried the ball forward only a few minutes into the second half, unleashing an unstoppable shot to double Estoril’s lead.
The Algarveans did attempt a fight-back, but Fabrício’s 70th-minute effort was correctly ruled off-side whilst keeper Dani Figueira comfortably dealt with anything else manager Paulo Sérgio’s men, in the stands following last weekend’s dismissal, managed to muster.
The reversal continues Portimonense’s bad run, which is now threatening to equal previous record series of negative results under excoaches Litos and Carlos Azenha (2010/11), the only difference being that the relatively successful first-half of the current season provided a 24-point ‘cushion’.
Thus, ahead of Braga coming south this Sunday evening, Portimonense sit in 11th place on 29 points, only nine clear of primary relegation candidates Moreirense (20) and Belenenses (17) having been in contention for one of the European places not that long ago.