Moreirense-Famalicão, 2-2 (report) | POSITIVE: Goalkeepers’ performance

The heated Minho derby between Famalicão and Moreirense ended in a draw. Played in the rain, it had all the ingredients that make a meal appetizing: there were goals, two for each side; there were cards, four for each side; one expulsion, for the Canons; a lot of intensity and many nerves on edge.

In the end, all the fans went home satisfied with the shared points. Famalicão were the better team in the match; however, they lacked finishing. Moreira de Cónegos managed to keep the score at a single point and scored at the right moment. The teams remain separated by one point in the league table.

Vasco Botelho da Costa made only one change to the starting eleven after the defeat in Braga. Kiko Bondoso left the team and was replaced by Francisco Domingues. Hugo Oliveira, however, made more changes after the Portuguese Cup victory away to Estoril. Zlobin, Gustavo Garcia, Rafa Soares, Joujou and Pedro Santos became substitutes, and Carevic, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Pedro Bondo, Mathias de Amorim and Sorriso entered the starting eleven.

Famalicão were the better team in the first 45 minutes. The visitors closed down spaces well and didn’t allow Moreirense to build up play. More clinical, Famalicão managed to create more dangerous chances and eventually took the lead in the 20th minute. Gil Dias crossed from the right and Zabiri, in the heart of the area, headed the ball into the goal.

The visitors’ reaction came close to halftime, but not before suffering a scare with another shot from the under-20 world champion, Zabiri, which André Ferreira saved well. On the other side, Carevic kept stopping attacks from Dinis Pinto, with a shot from outside the box, and Schettine, with a header in the area, giving the away team the lead going into the break.

The coach of the Moreira de Cónegos team was unhappy with what he saw in the first half and, for the second half, brought on Kiko and Michel in place of Francisco Domingues and Marcelo. The effect was immediate, as the equalizer came two minutes later. Benny stole the ball on the right, passed to Landerson who crossed for Schettine, in front of goal, to score. However, Famalicão’s reaction to conceding the goal was energetic and they quickly regained the lead. After an initial warning from Zabiri, Gustavo Sá ended up scoring. The midfielder was the most composed player in a confusing play in the area.

The game remained lively, and the visitors continued to look closer to scoring a third goal, thanks in large part to a good performance from André Ferreira. In a single play, he saved a powerful shot from Van de Looi and the rebound from Zabiri. In a good combination, Pedro Bondo crossed from the right, and Zabiri, at the far post, forced André Ferreira into another excellent save. In response, Vasco Sousa forced Carevic into yet another excellent save.

Nevertheless, in Moreira de Cónegos lives a fighting team that never shies away from a challenge. Therefore, the equalizer finally came ten minutes from the end. A free kick taken on the left by Alan and Dinis Pinto, at the near post, headed the ball into the goal. Until the end, the highlight was the sending off of Maracás and the final assault on the Cónegos’ goal, which defended the point tooth and nail.

FIGURE: Zabiri (Famalicão)

Hugo Oliveira’s gamble in the Famalicão starting eleven paid off. Zabiri scored his first goal in the championship and gave the opposing defense a lot of trouble. The U-20 World Cup winner with Morocco appeared in the heart of the area to finish off Gil Dias’ cross. He had three more chances to score a second goal, but André Ferreira prevented it. Excellent performance.

GAME MOMENT: Dinis Pinto’s equalizer

Famalicão were on top and closer to a third goal, but Dinis Pinto was clinical in securing the equalizer. Alan took the free-kick from the left and the full-back, with a beautiful header, deflected the ball at the near post into the far corner, beyond Carevic’s reach, forcing a draw.

POSITIVE: Goalkeepers’ performance

They each conceded two goals, without any chance of saving them, but they put in a high-level performance. André Ferreira and Carevic made a couple of excellent saves, preventing a higher number of goals.