Portimonense: Paying the penalty

Once again, Portimonense’s inability to find the back of the net – even with two attempts from the penalty spot – cost manager Paulo Sérgio’s team dearly as Chaves ran out the winners of an otherwise balanced encounter in the north of Portugal.

Japanese international keeper Nakamura kept Portimonense in the game with two good saves from Juninho and Euller during the opening half-hour but was then powerless to stop the first mentioned from crashing the ball home after preceding efforts from Benny and João Teixeira had been blocked.

The Algarveans should have been level shortly after the break, but Welinton Júnior could only hit the post following a VAR-assisted penalty award for a Queirós foul on Diaby on the edge of the area.

Chaves keeper Rodrigo then kept out Yony before Abass made it 2-0 with an angled shot in the 73rd minute.

Any hopes of a comeback disappeared when a second penalty in the visitors’ favour was well saved, Ricardo Matos guilty of not converting this time around.

Hero of the hour, Rodrigo, then received a second yellow card prompting an early bath, but his replacement, Gonçalo Pinto, was not unduly troubled either by the shot-shy Portimonense attack during the remaining minutes.

Portimonense have now missed more penalties, four from seven, than any other club in the top-flight, costing a total of four points. In addition, the five forwards could only muster seven goals between them during this season to date, Welinton Júnior leading with four strikes.

Fortunately, this goal drought has not endangered their continuing first division status so far, with bottom three clubs Marítimo, Paços Ferreira and Santa Clara failing to make inroads on the ten-point cushion to the relegation zone still enjoyed by the Algarveans.

Next up on Saturday afternoon, back on home soil, is Vizela, currently three points above Portimonense in the league table, for a 3.30pm kick-off.

By SKIP BANDELE

Portugal Resident