Lisbon vs. Madeira

It was the battle of Lisbon vs. Madeira this weekend in Portugal’s Premier Football league. For such a small island it is an incredible achievement that Madeira has consistently produced to teams that always finish in the top half of Liga Sagres. This weekend both Madeiran teams squared up against Lisbon giants Sporting and Benfica.

The first game of the weekend saw Nacional travel to Estadio Alvalade in to face my beloved Sporting Lisbon, usually I make the short hour trip from São Martinho do Porto to watch them play but unfortunately due to work commitments I was unable to make the trip, I did however get to watch from a local pub in Nazare, and what a game it was. Sporting winning comfortably 3-1 with goals from Miguel Veloso and a brace from Liedson.

Then on Sunday Benfica travelled to the island to take on Maritimo, again it was a comfortable victory for a Lisbon team with Benfica winning 5-0, goals from Saviola, Luisão, Pereira, Cardoza and an own goal from Roberto Sousa contributed to a miserable evening for Maritimo.

So the weekend ended heavily in favor of Lisbon. Lisbon 8 Madeira 1. Benfica remain in second, behind Braga only on goal difference and Sporting Lisbon moved up to 4th.

By Dylan Herholdt

World Cup play-offs: Portugal get lucky

On saturday night, I made the short 50 minute drive from São Martinho do Porto to Estadio da Luz to watch Portugal take on visitors Bosnia in a crunch world cup play off match. With the first leg being played in Lisbon and the second leg in ice cold Bosnia, many believed that the Portuguese team needed a 2 goal cushion going into the second leg. It was not to be, Portugal in front of 50,000 passionate fans were met by a very determined Bosnian side who were unlucky not to come away with a draw at least as they hit the bar on 3 occasions.

The stars from Portugal once again trained in Obidos on the Silver Coast and maybe it was the magic of Obidos Castle that kept the ball from entering the Portuguese goal. They now travel to Bosnia with a slender 1-0 lead thanks to a first half goal from Bruno Alves, they will hope to come away with a win or a draw on wednesday.

Força Portugal!

By Dylan Herholdt