September, 2009

After our sluggish start to the season we’re now firing on all cylinders, Sporting Braga style, and dishing up the finest podcast about Portuguese football in English you could hope to listen to.

There were some big games this weekend, none more so than Braga’s 5th consecutive victory over the tetracampeões FC Porto. Permanently on-loan Portista Alan got the vital and rather fluky goal that won the game. At the bottom of the league, there was an early season relegation six-pointer which permanently-managerless Setúbal amazingly won against a Naval side whose chicotada psicológica (check the glossary) must have left a lot to be desired. The other big game, on one of Portugal’s islands, was the Madeiran derby between Nacional and Marítimo, whose manager Carlos Carvalhal must be feeling the heat after his side failed to beat a Nacional team down to ten men for the whole of the second half.

In part 2 we review Leixões’ first victory of the season against Guimarães whilst covering the young Leixões striker Tiago Cintra with plaudits; he really does look good and is Portuguese! There were two boring 1-1 draws, and we skate over them before talking about Benfica’s victory over Leiria – possibly fortuitous depending on whether you think Benfica deserved the penalty which won them the game. Here’s FIFA’s rule on “Dangerous Play”,

Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens damage or harm to someone (including the player himself). It is committed with an opponent nearby and prevents the opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury. The action becomes an offence only when an opponent or the player himself is affected.  Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between the players. If there is a physical contact, the offence becomes a careless, reckless or excessive force offence punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick.

Finally, in Part 3 we give you an update on the new direction the ‘Apito Dourado’ (Golden Whistle) scandal has taken and we talk a little bit about next weekend’s Portuguese general elections.

Keep the comments coming, spread word of the podcast far and wide, and thanks for listening.

Steve and Phil

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