WIt is often said that the dream rules life and Torreense seems to be clinging to that same mantra. Starting a new European chapter, with João Nuno taking over as coach of the Portuguese Cup winner, the boys from Torres Vedras put their adversities behind them and won again in the Europa League.
In another unbelievable European night, similar to what happened in Norway against Lillestrom, the Portuguese team contradicted all expectations and beat the Armenians of Ararat, 3-2, in a victory achieved at the drop of the hat.
With ten players for more than an hour, as a result of an expulsion, and trailing three minutes after the 90, the Torres Vedras team, which also saw its opponent reduced to ten units, scored twice in stoppage time, gave João Nuno his first victory at the helm of the club – they had drawn against Portimonense in the II League – and reached six points in the single league phase.
Torreense, who has not been doing well in this year’s edition of the II League, even opened the scoring very early in Leiria, in the 13th minute, through Jorge Aguirre, but the Cuban striker was sent off in the 22nd minute, which complicated the task of João Nuno’s men, who recently replaced Luís Tralhão, responsible for Torreense’s greatest achievement, the Portuguese Cup, last season, and the unprecedented qualification for the continental competitions.
With the home team unprotected, the Armenians managed to take control of the game and, still in the first half, Portuguese coach Manuel Tulipa’s team reduced the distance through a well-aimed shot from Karen Muradyan, in the 41st minute. The comeback would be completed at the start of the second half through a goal from Portuguese defender Bruno Wilson, in the 58th minute, who, among others, wore the colors of Sporting and Vizela on national territory.
But if Torreense had one sent off in the first half, the same happened to the visitors heading into the final minutes. Brazilian goalkeeper João Bravim, who also had spells with Portuguese clubs, including Alverca, received a straight red card in the 76th minute, which balanced the forces and was fundamental to the sensational final result of the Torres Vedras team.
The Portuguese team found strength and managed to stage a comeback in the last minutes, achieved with two goals scored by the Spaniards Javi Vázquez, at 90+3′, and Musa Drammeh, at 90+5′, which sealed the second European victory of the season – the first at home -, in a dream European debut for coach João Nuno.
But let’s look at the notes for this match:
Figure
Brilliant display by Javi Vázquezwho has proven to be one of the best elements of this Torreense team and who is ready for other flights. The team captain made a sweet cross for the first goal and an exemplary header for the equalizer.
Surprise
Zhirayr Shaghoyan it was the most dangerous unit on the Armenian side and a real headache for the home team. He was involved in both of the visitors’ goals.
Disillusionment
Aguirre he could have been one of the heroes of the match, but he ended up being linked to a negative moment. Even though he scored the opening goal, the unreasonable expulsion left his team in real difficulties. The courage of the Portuguese was worth it.
Coaches
João Nuno
He’s only played two games yet, but you can already notice some differences. In this match, the home team did well and tried to be positive, but the expulsion ended up ruining their plans. With Ararat also reduced to ten units, Torreense realized that they had a golden opportunity ahead of them to rescue at least a draw, even ending up securing an epic victory.
Manuel Tulipa
In the fight for leadership in Armenia, Ararat started the match somewhat poorly and benefited from an expulsion to mark the comeback. Even leading the scoreboard, the visitors were unable to maintain a fluid game and Bravim’s disastrous expulsion ended up dictating the defeat at the end of the day.
Arbitration
Milos Milanovic played a safe performance with no influence on the final result. He did well during the two expulsions, having been well helped by the VAR.
