Courtesy: UEFA.COM

Club pride motivates Benfica

Friday, 30 April 2004

By Paul Saffer and Andy Hall

The pride of winning a European trophy in their centenary year is the spur for SL Benfica as they contemplate overturning a 4-1 deficit against Boomerang Interviú FS in the second leg of the UEFA Futsal Cup final on Saturday.

Benfica passion

Three goals in the first four minutes gave Boomerang a comfortable lead in their home leg in Spain last weekend, Benfica's attacking thrust only rewarded with Arnaldo's last-minute away goal. As Benfica coach Alípio Matos approaches the return at his side's recently opened Pavilhão da Luz, it is the passion of his club that could yet turn the tie.

Club united

"Everyone at Benfica takes an interest in the Futsal team," he told uefa.com. "Benfica is like a passion, the passion to win. This is true for every team at Benfica."

New contracts

Indeed, the 200 fans that followed Benfica to the Pabellón Parque Corredor, singing throughout the game, gave Boomerang a taste of the atmosphere they will experience in front of more than 2,000 home supporters in Lisbon. Benfica showed their intent in the week by handing new contracts to 19-year-old Brazilian Ricardinho - probably the most skilful player on the pitch in the first leg - and Miguel Almeida.

'Rowdy crowd'

Their team-mate Majó also believes that their followers could yet help them take the trophy outside Spain for the first time. "The away goal gives us a chance but our idea in the return leg is to make sure we don't make the same mistakes that we made in Madrid," he said. "The atmosphere in Lisbon is very good - we will have a rowdy crowd behind us and that could effect the outcome of the match."

'Great game'

He added: "The first leg was a great game, very lively from start to finish. Boomerang took an early lead which made them even stronger - that was not a surprise for us, we know what they are capable of. It is clear that they are one of the best teams in the world."

No complacency

In particular, Luis Amado's global reputation can only have been enhanced in the first leg. But the Boomerang goalkeeper admitted that they are taking nothing for granted in the return. He told uefa.com: "We have played in Lisbon before so we are expecting a noisy crowd and a lot of pressure but we play better under pressure so hopefully it should not affect us."

Going for goal

Daniel scored the second and third goals in Madrid last week, showcasing his understanding with key playmaker Schumacher. He assured uefa.com that Boomerang will again be going for goal rather than sitting on their lead.

'Strong side'

He said: "There are 40 minutes remaining to decide the match and if we score a goal over there then that will make life a bit more comfortable. Benfica are a strong side, they created plenty of opportunities during the first leg and it was not an easy game for us. They showed that they are one of the top sides in Europe."

New winners

Whatever happens, there will be a new name on the cup after the end of Boomerang's Spanish rivals Playas de Castellón FS's two-year monopoly. Boomerang, also on course for a hat-trick of domestic titles, are clear favourites. But Benfica, who seem set to concede the Portuguese championship to Sporting Clube de Portugal, need aggregate victory in this final to return to this competition next season and mark the club's 100th birthday with a special present. Boomerang have been warned.