Probably drinking one glass too many as we speak is Paulo Bento, who doesn’t have to wake up for work tomorrow after resigning from his job as manager of Sporting Clube de Portugal last Friday. His exit did little to give his team the kick up the a*** they require and it was business as usual away to Rio Ave where they had to settle for a point after throwing away a two goal lead. Braga also dropped points this weekend, losing their first game of the season away to Guimarães in the Minho derby. Finally in part 1, Porto lose away to an impressive Marítimo.

In the second part of the podcast we talk about Paços’ impressive victory against Belenenses and Leixões’ mad game against Nacional in which the referee had a crisis of confidence and then some. Finally, the plaudits come rolling in again for Benfica, who were involved in one of the most entertaining games of the season in their tension filled, last-minute 1-0 win over Naval.

Finally, in part 3 we focus on the upcoming World Cup play-off between Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina. There will be no Cristaino Ronaldo, who has a dodgy ankle, meaning that hopes are not as high as they once were.

Because of the international games we’ll have a break next week and will be back in two weeks’ time for a Selecção/Taça round up.

Thanks for listening,

Steve and Phil

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

In part 2 we review Carlos Queiroz’s first game in charge of the Selecção, who won 5-0 against that mighty power of international football, the Faroe Islands. Less successful were the U-21 side, who were comfortably defeated 3-2 by the Czech Republic in a game where Inter Milan midfileder Pelé completely lost his head with a dangerous tackle that saw him taking an early bath.

Finally, in part 3 we talk about recent transfer speculation involving FC Porto’s Ricardo Quaresma, Benfica’s Nélson and the loan of Sporting’s Fabio Paim to Chelsea. We also look forward to next weekend’s fixtures, especially the Benfica v FC Porto clássico, and the European games involving Braga and Guimarães.

Please contact us with any feedback either here on the site or by e-mail at info@footballportugalpodcast.com

Thanks for listening.