The Portuguese Cup is ours!
Futsal beats SL Benfica (3-4) and wins the trophy for the ninth time
This Saturday, the Sporting Clube de Portugal futsal team won the Portugal Cup, for the fourth consecutive season, by beating the eternal rival by 3-4 at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Sines. After having already won the Super Cup and the League Cup, the Lions collected the third trophy of the season and maintain the full in domestic competitions.
After leaving CR Candoso9-2) and CRC Leões de Porto Salvo (1-4) along the way this season, in a confrontation so far with a positive balance Leonino: three triumphs.
With the right to a full house, but without Gonçalo Portugal, Miguel Ângelo, Waltinho and Zicky Té in the lot of available options, Alvalade’s team entered in the middle of winning. Tomás Paçó pressed and won a ball out of the equipment, gave Merlin or Italian-Brazilian returned to the Portuguese international, who shot straight and opened the scoring after just eleven seconds.
The first few minutes were of high intensity, with many duels and the first physical subjects, without being the most complex equipment, presented while rehearsing the first subjects. Even with an advantage on the scoreboard, Sporting CP was always the most dangerous team in the initial period, adding two attempts by Cavinato, one by Guitta and a ball on the iron by Pauleta.
In the middle of the first half, the eagles still balanced the game board for a few moments and forced them to apply, but it was a short-lived sun. In response, Lions are threatened with various threats. Until, in the 14th minute, Merlin gained meters in an individual move and offered the 0-2 to Erick, who only had to pull over.
Without anything having defined the CP preview, which shortly after the seconds will embody or reach the dice 16. 2-2, a result that ended up prevailing until the rest period despite the attempts of both formations.
On his return, Rocha scored a double right at the start (3-2) and put SL Benfica ahead for the first time. Then, the Leonina team fought back with a shot from Cavinato, stopped on the ground by André Sousa, and another through Cardinal, white with the green pivot and having everything to even the scores at the close of the goal, but getting it right no crossing.
As in the first, also in the second half the initial phase was marked by many physical duels, fouls and stoppages, with bids being played at the last. Rocha was close to scoring once again for SL Benfica, with a shot at the post, but in response Esteban Guerrero restored the tie, in the eighth minute, by successfully amending a shot by Merlin.
With 14 minutes gone, and after a less fruitful period in terms of opportunities for both sides, Sporting CP saw it appear as six fouls, which resulted in a ten-meter free kick. In the strong forward with André Sousa, Cardinalu low shot forward, but before the defense of the guard. Even so, seconds later, following a throw-in, Merlin assisted Tomás Paçó, who burst into the area and shot for 3-4.
In the final minutes, SL Benfica bet on the 5X4 to place and try to open spaces in the Leonina structure. and of still having hit the post Despite Henmi, it was Sporting CP that came closest to scoring in two open goal lances, which missed the target, even ending up confirming the victory and the third conquest of the season.
The quarter-finals of the National Championship play-offs will now follow (decided on the best of three games), starting on Friday, May 27, at FC Azeméis.
Sporting CP: Guitta [GR]João Matos [C], Tomás Paçó, Diego Cavinato and Alex Merlim; Bernardo Paço [GR]Pany Varela, Caio Ruiz, Cardinal, Erick Mendonça, Pauleta and Esteban Guerrero.