THE A cycle of four consecutive victories by Académica (against Real SC, 1-4, União de Leiria, 0-2, Amarante, 3-2, and Leixões, 4-0) came to an end, late this Sunday morning, due to the defeat suffered in the visit to Vizela, 2-1, in a match counting for the ninth round of the II League.
The Minho team started the match in the best possible way, in such a way that they needed just 13 minutes to open the scoring. After a free kick taken by Ângelo Neto, from the right wing of the attack, Yassin Fortuné appeared in the penalty area completely unmarked and shot, first time, into the back of the goal past Victor Braga.
The game would only heat up again at the half-time whistle, first, due to a fall by Amadou Coundoul, who was left asking for a penalty (Vítor Ferreira waited for instructions from the VAR, but nothing was signaled), and, later, as a result of a shot made by Anthony Carter that hit the post with a bang.
Briosa continued to grow in the second half, and Amadou Coundoul even had a sovereign opportunity to restore equality. However, hopes were dashed in the 61st minute, when Guilherme Silva attacked Luis Mina and was given a straight red card.
Despite the adversities, the truth is that António Barbosa’s men managed to restore equality, in the 87th minute, through Hélder Lopes. However, in response, Martim Tavares committed a penalty that Matías Lacava converted, to seal, once and for all, the final result.
The results (and accounts) of the ninth round of the II League
Vizela was not the only team to smile, in the ninth round of the II League, so far, given that, the day before, there were victories by Amarante (over FC Porto B, 2-1), Sporting B (over Leixões, 1-2), Benfica B (over Desportivo de Chaves, 3-1) and União de Leiria (over AVS, 2-1), as well as a goalless draw between Portimonense and Torreense.
Also this Sunday, Tondela-Felgueiras and Lusitânia de Lourosa-Farense will take place, respectively, at 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm (Mainland Portugal time). However, the curtain will only fall on this round, on Monday, at 6pm, at the Estádio Municipal 25 de Abril, which will host the clash between Penafiel and Feirense.
All things considered, with this set of results, Académica, which remains with 15 points, ‘falls’ to fifth place in the II League, behind Sporting B (which has 21), Lusitânia de Lourosa (which has 18 and one less game played), Benfica B (which has 17) and Penafiel (which has 16, but also has yet to enter the scene).
Right behind, there are Farense (also with one less match played), União de Leiria and, precisely, Vizela, all with 14 points in the ‘baggage’.
