FC Porto/Fidelidade is in the final of the Portuguese Cup 100 years FPP

Extra time was needed for the Porto fans to guarantee access to the decisive game. In a great hockey match, UD Oliveirense/Simoldes managed to turn the score around but with a minute and a half remaining in regulation time, FC Porto/Fidelidade equalized and took the game to extra time, where the dragons were stronger.

In a great hockey game, with a spectacular atmosphere in the packed Municipal de Barcelos stands for the first semi-final of the Final Four, FC Porto/Fidelidade prevailed, after extra time, by 4-3 and guaranteed access to the Cup final of Portugal 100 years FPP. The Porto players, led by Ricardo Ares, are the first finalists of this Final Four, marking their presence in the decisive game that will be played this Sunday, at 4 pm, in Barcelos.

FC Porto/Fidelidade came out stronger, controlling UD Oliveirense/Simoldes’ initiatives well. This superiority translated into a goal in the 7th minute: the dragons recovered the ball and in a perfect counterattack, Carlo di Benedetto assisted Gonçalo Alves for the first goal of the day.

Oliveira de Azeméis’ men did not lose heart and in response, less than a minute later, they established a draw when Lucas Martínez assisted Facundo Navarro’s strong shot (8′). And it didn’t take long for the turnaround: Lucas Martínez had already assisted in the first, now it was his turn to celebrate the goal, in a classy move from the Argentine.

In the first 25′ with a lot of pace and strong intensity, FC Porto/Fidelidade wasted the possibility of tying the game, when captain Gonçalo Alves missed the equalizer from the penalty spot, reaching half-time with a 1-2 lead for the UD Oliveirense/Simoldes.

At a disadvantage, FC Porto/Fidelidade resumed the game again with great intensity, but found an opponent who was always very focused. Gonçalo Alves isolated himself and shot at the post, in one of the good scoring opportunities of the second half. In response, Facundo Navarro was also very close to celebrating again, but the ball didn’t go in. Hélder Nunes, on two consecutive occasions, put Xano Edo’s reflexes to the test and then Carlo di Benedetto failed to beat Keeper de Oliveira de Azeméis. Lucas Martínez also wasted a direct free kick, but the Porto players were more sharp in their search for the goal and with less than a minute and a half remaining until the end of regulation time, the reward came with Carlo di Benedetto putting the ball into the back of the net and taking the goal. game for extra time.

Extra time began with two consecutive saves by Xavier Malian preventing UD Oliveirense/Simoldes from taking advantage. The Porto players broke the draw through Gonçalo Alves, who this time did not waste a penalty, making the score 3-2 in favor of the Dragons. Carlo di Benedetto then extended the lead following a free-kick missed by Gonçalo Alves. With 25 seconds to go, Facundo Navarro still reduced, but there was no time for more. FC Porto/Fidelidade is in the final.

What they said:

Ricardo Ares, coach of FC Porto/Fidelidade

“Very positive evaluation, the attitude was fantastic. It was a somewhat gray performance as we found UD Oliveirense who defended very well, closed spaces well, did a great job in defense and it was difficult for us to enter and attack. Both goalkeepers put in fantastic performances. But in these games it’s not so much about the performance but who wins.”

Edo Bosch, coach of UD Oliveirense/Simoldes

“It was a game decided in detail, very tight, both teams could win. It was a shame because the game got away from us at the end of the 50′, with a rebound, but luck also plays a part. But I’m very proud of these players. We’re not going to the final but soon we’ll have another Final Four and we’ll learn from the mistakes we made here, we also grow through defeats. The goal at the end of regulation time discouraged us and we were unable to turn things around afterwards. We’ve been with these players for eight months and we’re going to fight for something important this season.”

Gonçalo Alves, FC Porto/Fidelidade player

“Both teams tried to win, there was little space to play, Oliveirense defended well. We took advantage of counterattacks to stay in the game, but it wasn’t easy to win this match. But we were always united and together we managed to reach the final.”

Marc Torra, UD Oliveirense/Simoldes player

“Congratulate FC Porto for reaching the final. If there’s ever a day I can be proud of my colleagues, this is it. We did everything to be in the final, we fought hard, we were winning until close to 50′, but FC Porto is a great team and they drew. Then, right at the end we tried to make it 4-4, but I couldn’t do it. Now it’s time to think about the next game and what’s to come this season.”