Report by our Portuguese collaborator Nuno Silva

CÉSAR PAULO SOLVES THE MATCH!

Strong emotions in the Pavilhão da Luz, with a big crowd ready to live another major classic in Portuguese futsal.
It was a bit surprising the absence of Sporting’s goalkeeper, João Benedito, due to a hip injury contracted in the warm up.

Benfica started better, and soon we realised that pivot César Paulo could make the difference, with a couple of good shots and a very fast dribble, which he used with success at the sixth minute, overcoming Bibi and defeating Cristiano, who was very active in the first minutes and did a couple of good saves.

Sporting’s reaction

After Benfica’s goal, Sporting improved their pressing and at the eighth minute, in a studied free-kick, Alex found Café free and the brazilian (considered as the revelation player of the Liga Futsal 2006 with Petropolis/Ikinha) scored for the equalizer.

Until the end of first half, and with coach Beto Aranha (former Sporting coach) giving César Paulo some rest, the game was pretty much balanced, even in the number of fouls (four each).

Second half with "more" César Paulo
Paulo Fernandes made some tactic adjustments in his team at half time, with Bibi marking individually César Paulo (later turned into Davi because of Bibi’s yellow card).
Nevertheless, it was Benfica again controlling the game, and only at the sixth minute Sporting could "appear" in Benfica’s defense area. Ricardinho had a great chance to take his team ahead, after great pass from Arnaldo, but the shot went wide. Soon after, Gonçalo lost the ball in the midfield, and that brought great danger for Bébé’s goal (who replaced Zé Carlos at half time).
Sporting kept being dangerous with the fast sprints from Deo, very strong while dribbling and always with the ball under control. Benfica replied with a fantastic action by Arnaldo which ended with a tremendous shot at the post.


Breathless final minutes
With the game about to end, Beto Aranha played the right cards, keeping the players far from each other in the field, which allowed César Paulo going one-on-one with Davi and scoring a brilliant goal with his left foot.
There were only 1.25 minutes left to full time… Sporting still had three good opportunities in the last minute, but none of them gave them the equalizer.
It was a difficult but deserved victory for Benfica.


Portuguese Futsal League - first division - regular season, round 24

7/5/2008

Hall: Pavilhão da Luz

Lisbon (Portugal)

h. 20.30

SL Benfica - Sporting CP 2-1 (1-1)

SL Benfica
Starting five: Zé Carlos, Costinha, Gonçalo, Ricardinho and César Paulo
Substitutions: Bebé, André Lima, Arnaldo, Zé Maria, João Marçal
Coach: Beto Aranha

Sporting CP
Starting five: Cristiano, Bibi, Café, Davi and Nenê.
Substitutions: Evandro, Zézito, João Matos, Deo and Alex
Coach: Paulo Fernandes

Scorers:
1-0 César Paulo (6’)
1-1 Café (8’)
2-1 César Paulo (38’)

Referees: Rui Pinto and Hélder Carmo (AF Algarve)

Yellow card: Bibi, Deo and Evandro (Sporting)



Press Zone

Beto Aranha, Benfica’s coach
“It was a very intense match, in which we had more ball possession. My players knew what to do in the field and are learning the tactics I want to show them.
The final score is fair, we took the initiative of the match and had more chances than Sporting.
We want to be champions, but there’s still a long way to go. In particular physically, but I liked the team attitude.”


Paulo Fernandes, Sporting’s coach
“We were well physically in this match, which came as a surprise, considering the last games in the last days.
Second half was better than first, but we didn’t have the chance to know this Benfica better, in which César Paulo made all the difference. Still we ended the game fresher and with three big chances at the end.
Third place doesn’t depend directly on us, right now, but if we get it, the better.”





























Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com