Sporting CP prevailed over FC Famalicão in Jamor (2-1)

Back in Japan, Sporting Clube de Portugal will win the Portuguese Cup, this Saturday, against Famalicão 2-1 in the final. Lionesses thus lifted the third trophy in history – in three disputed finals – after consecutive victories in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.

Under the strong and noisy presence of sports stands, which were responsible for an assistance in the best stands, which are preparing for an assistance recorded in the competition-seinha (13,894 spectators), as Lionesses were and boosted the presence – of penalty – and of Chandra David. Famalicense’s goal, near the end, would not avoid the green and white party.

Until Jamor had Sporting CP, on the way through UD Pol, Clube de Condeixa ACD0-2, Valadares Gaia FC (1-0), CS Marítimo (5-0) and SC Braga4 -3 two-legged total). In the final, the Lionesses would close the season with a flourish and in the same way it started: a trophy, now the Portuguese Cup, after the Super Cup.

For an unprecedented final – with FC Famalicão making its debut in the final of the queen competition – Mariana Cabral, coach Leonina, bet on an eleven that, as has been usual, a lot of youth (four mixes young people in the Club and 23.5 average age ) and experience.

The first ten minutes were measured from side to side, with the Lionesses taking more control of the ball, but the first approaches and arrivals in the area were played by the northern opponents – without any danger. Afterwards, Sporting CP moved into the rival midfield and Chandra Davidson narrowly failed to make the deflection determined by a cross from Diana Silva. After more than twenty minutes of play, there were still people entering the stadium, increasingly filling the stands, mainly in green and white – overwhelmingly in Jamor.

On the field, the Leonino team of the match was unique in terms of reins and it didn’t take long to reach the opening goal. In two consecutive corners, two taken by Joana Marchão, Fátima Pinto headed wide in the first and in the second saw Vânia Duarte’s arm stop her opportunity. After the VAR indication, the referee Ana Afonso and the penalty kick on the monitor. Called to charge, Joana Marchão shot strong and placed for the first explosion of joy inside and outside the four lines.

More and more comfortable on the field and with the result in their favor, as Lionesses freed themselves, they dominated and imposed their game. With constant clean outs from behind – to a loss inside the box that was nothing more than a scare in the 39th minute – to green and white equipment except his quality play until half-time and up front from the left, Chandra was the change of pace. service. However, Diana Silva or Andreia Pinto – free director, nor Fátima Pinto – free director, concretize1-0 for the rest.

The restart brought a more balanced match and FC Famalicão sought to occupy the space behind the green and white defense but the guardian Doris was attentive to that control. However, it was Sporting CP a threatening named second in the 55th minute: Brenda Pérez was launched in depth on the right, took an opponent out of the way with class and crossed to Diana Silva, who, with a header, hit the post.

The Lionesses’ second goal, however, would reach the 62nd minute in an insistence move. After another run by Chandra Davidson, Brenda saw her shot intercepted, but in the rebound the Canadian – always intervening – shot first into the back of the net – the ball still suffered a deflection in a Famalicense defense before going in.

With Ana Borges on the field – in place of Mariana Rosa – instead of a month and a half stop, the green and white formation then continued their safe display. Everything could have made FC a great defense.

Even so, despite the Leonina organization, as Famalicenses would manage to reach the goal, by Carolina Rocha, in the 89th minute. With 2-1, the uncertainty increased for the final minutes, but the trophy would no longer reach the Lionesses. The party was painted green and white on the field and in the stands, with captain Ana Borges crowning the festivities by climbing the mythical staircase, lifting the trophy at Jamor.

Sporting CP: Doris Bacic [GR]Chandra Davidson, Joana Marchão, Bruna Lourenço, Carolina Beckert (Alícia Correia 90′), Mariana Rosa (Ana Borges 67′), Fátima Pinto [C] (Rita Fontemanha 90′), Andreia Jacinto, Vera Cid (Joana Martins 74′), Brenda Pérez and Diana Silva.