FC Porto drew against Óquei de Barcelos (4-4), in the 25th round of the League’s Regular Phase. After the Portuguese Cup final – won by the Dragons against the Barcelona team – Rui Neto’s men once again squandered their advantage on the scoreboard.
In the sixth minute, Luís Querido opened the visitors’ count, converting a penalty. In the next minute, Gonçalo Alves made it 1-1.
After stopping and responding, Poka gave the visitors the advantage back in the ninth minute. On the top step, Alvarinho expanded, at 18m (1-3).
Until half-time, Carlo Di Benedetto (19m) and Rafa Costa (21m) restored equality.
In the complementary stage, and with no time to waste, Alvarinho scored twice, at 26m.
The dragons’ response only came seven minutes later, by Mena. Even though it took a while, the reaction of the blue and whites was close to resulting in a turnaround.
13 minutes before the final buzzer, Darío Giménez saw a blue card, but Gonçalo Alves wasted the free kick.
Ricardo Ares’ men head into the final round of this phase in the lead, with 62 points, one more against Oliveirense. On Saturday, FC Porto visits Juventude Pacense (9th), who still dream of being in the play-offs.
In turn, Óquei Barcelos – which long ago sealed sixth place – closes the Regular Phase at home, against Sporting (3rd), which is also looking for leadership.
Oliveirense and Sporting aim for more
At the top of the table, Oliveirense is closer to the lead, after beating the already relegated Carvalhos, 9-2. The goals belonged to Xavi Cardoso (2), Bruno Di Benedetto, Navarro (2), Diogo Lemos (2), Torra and Lucas Martínez. Among the visitors, Rúben Sousa and Pedro Cunha reduced.
Edo Bosch’s men close this phase at the Sp. Tomar stadium, which will finish in fifth place.
To reach the lead, the Oliveira de Azeméis team is obliged to win and hope that FC Porto does not do so. The lead is at one point.
As for Sporting, the Lions’ ambition to lead is more remote. This is because they would need to win on their visit to Óquei de Barcelos and wait for the defeats of Oliveirense and FC Porto.
Sporting played this match on April 27th, triumphing against Riba D’Ave, 8-5.
Benfica takes a look at the podium
Finally, Benfica remains in fourth place, with 59 points, that is, three behind FC Porto. Removed from the dispute for leadership, the eagles still aim for a better position.
On Wednesday afternoon, Nuno Resende’s men got the better of Juventude Pacense, 3-1. Goals from Roberto Di Benedetto, Gonçalo Pinto and Diogo Rafael made it possible to neutralize the reaction of the visitors, who held the tie until half-time (1-1), thanks to the effectiveness of João Pereira, who at 20m converted a penalty.
In the last round, Benfica visits Famalicense (12th), already relegated.
The last round is played at 6pm on Saturday. In addition to the sprint for leadership and the podium, the last spot for the play-offs remains to be defined. Tied at 26 points, Hóquei Braga, Juventude Pacense and Riba D’Ave compete for eighth place.
As for relegation, the “falls” of Famalicense, Turquel and Carvalhos are complete.
Other results: Murches 4-3 Sp. Tomar Turquel 3-4 Valongo Hóquei Braga 4-0 Famalicense
Tags: Hockey Porto slips home Oliveirense Sporting peek leadership
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