Guimaraes end the week with a win

Guimaraes end Week 28 with a 2-0 victory over Belenenses, Guimaraes got a first half marker from Andrezinho and a second half marker from Nuno Assis. Guimaraes now sit in sole position of fifth with two games left in the season,

Cardozo trick places Benfica on the brink of title

Benfica are on the brink of the Portuguese League title with a big victory at home over Olhanense. Benfica need one point to clinch the title or a Braga loss or draw tomorrow. Benfica's Cardozo provided a hat trick for the Eagles taking his league lead to 24. The game started off quick for Benfica when Olhanense's Delson was called for a hand ball in the penalty area and Cardozo converted the penalty kick at the three minute mark, Benfica then doubled their lead just fifthteen minutes later as Angel Di Maria deked two Olhanense defenders and beat the keeper. The second half continued to go in Benfica's favour and Cardozo scored his second of the game when he was feed into the zone by Di Maria. Cardozo then got his hat trick marker at the 55th minute mark as he tapped in a cross. Pablo Aimar got the fifth marker on a strange clearing attempt and beat the keeper with a low shot and Benfica went on to win 5-0.

In other action FC Porto kept their hopes alive of gaining the second spot in the Portuguese League with a 5-2 victory over Setubal. Falcao with a pair, Maicon, Guarin and Belluschi scored for Porto while Henrique replied with a brace for Setubal. Porto will host league leaders Benfica next week

Ruben Micael breaks foot in training

FC Porto's midfielder Ruben Micael has broken his foot in training and had to have emergency surgery at the Trinity Hospital in Porto to repair it. The injury has put a damper on any chance of Micael being selected to take part in the 2010 World Cup. Porto picked up Micael from Nacional during the winter transfer window and his injury is a blow to a club that is still fighting for the second place spot in the Portuguese League.

Sporting rally for the victory

Sporting made a rally in the second half to earn a victory over Setubal after falling behind in the first half. Collin's marker early in the first half had Setubal ahead 1-0 but two goals ten minutes apart in the second half, one from a Moutinho penalty and the other from Postiga, who scored his first goal of the year. Sporting now are two points away from sealing fourth spot in the Portuguese League.

Benfica four points from Portuguese Crown

The portuguese crown is within reach for Benfica after an important victory on the road against Academica. Benfica's Weldon opened the scoring early in the game when a Maxi Pereira throw in bounced to the striker who headed it past the keeper at the seven minute mark. Academica brought the game back to even at the 28th minute mark when Diogo Gomes' left foot strike went out of the reach of Quim. Benfica regained the lead just twelve minutes later as Angel Di Maria did all the hard work and his pass landed on the feet of Weldon who scored his second of the game. The second half started with chances for both squads but it was not until the 80th minute did Benfica score again and it was once again the fancy footwork of Di Maria whos cross was kicked in mid air by Ruben Amorim. Academica did make the final few minutes nerve wrecking for the visitors as Tiero scored two minutes before the end of the game but it was as close as Academica would get as Benfica take the win 3-2. Benfica regain their six point league over second place Braga with three games remaining in the season.

In other action Nacional moved into sixth place in the Portuguese League with a 2-0 victory over Leiria and one point behind the coveted Europa League spot. Nacional got markers from Diego and Oldoni. Belenenses and Rio Ave played to a scoreless draw.

Braga get important win over Leixoes

Braga got an all important victory today over Leixoes at home as they try to catch Benfica with the season winding down. Braga jumped to an early lead when Alan chipped in a goal over the Leixoes keeper Berger just eight minutes into the game, then Alan scored his second of the game when he headed in a cross from Felipe Oliveira with seven minutes left in the first half. Leixoes pulled the game to one goal as Pouga headed in a corner kick at the 56th minute mark but that was as close as they would get in this game as Moises cemented the victory five minutes before the final whistle for a 3-1 Braga win. The win moves Braga to within three points of Benfica who will play their game in hand tomorrow as the season continues to wind down.

In other action Naval defeated Pacos Ferreira 3-1 as Fabio Junior and Joao Real scored for Naval and the teams exchanged an own goal each.

Portugal's World Cup back midfield situation

Portugal's World Cup inches closer and we continue out serioes on Portugal's World Cup situation with our look at the back midfield. Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz usually plays with a formation of 1-3-2-4-1 due to Portugal's immense midfield talent. Quieroz has used Pepe in the back two midfield postions before but with Pepe not at 100% it looks best to use players that are accustomed to the positions then to rely on a player who has not seen much action over the last few months. Portugal looks to be taking at least 9 midfielders to the World Cup which would include the attacking front three out of these 9 we assume that 3 to 4 will be able to play in the back end of the midfield one who is a defensive specialist and the other who helps on both sides of the pitch with a little more freedom to roam.

The Inside Track:

Raul Meireles (FC Porto) 27 years old
Portugal stats- 31 Caps, 3 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 22 games played, 2 goals

Tiago (Atletico Madrid) 28 years old
Portugal stats- 49 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 19 games played, 1 goal

Joao Moutinho (Sporting) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 26 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 24 games played, 4 goals

On the Bubble:

Miguel Veloso (Sporting) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 10 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 21 games played, 2 goals

Pedro Mendes (Sporting) 31 years old
Portugal stats- 5 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 13 games played, 0 goals

Maniche (Cologne) 32 years old
Portugal stats- 52 Caps, 7 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 23 games played, 2 goals

Carlos Martins (Benfica) 27 years old
Portugal stats- 5 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 14 games played, 3 goals

Outside shot:

Manuel Fernandes (Valencia) 24 years old
Portugal stats- 4 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 11 games played, 0 goals

Ruben Micael (FC Porto) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 26 games played, 2 goals

Ruben Amorim (Benfica) 25 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 21 games played, 2 goals

Flavio Meireles (Guimaraes) 31 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 18 games played, 1 goal

Martimo starts Week 27 with a win

Maritimo opened up Week 27 with a road victory over Olhanense in the Portuguese League. Maritimo got a late first half goal by Baba and an early second half goal by Kleber before Olhanense's Djalmir scored his 9th goal of the season late in the season half but it wasn't enough as Maritimo hung on to a 2-1 victory. The win by Maritimo was only their third of the season on the road and has moved the club into sixth spot in the league.

Benfica get big win in Lisbon Derby

Benfica got a big win today in the Lisbon Derby over Sporting as the Encarnados march towards their first league title since 2004-05 season. Benfica moved ahead of Braga by six points again with four games remaining and need seven points to clinch the Portuguese League Title. Benfica and Sporting played to a scoreless first half in a rain filled game before Benfica's Cardozo scored his league leading 21st goal of the season when he directed in a Fabio Coentrao shot at the 68th minute mark. Benfica then doubled their lead eleven minutes later as Pablo Aimar was sent in alone on Rui Patricio by Ramires and the crafty midfielder did not miss his chance and Benfica was up 2-0 and hang on until the final whistle. Benfica will now face Academica while Braga host Leixoes in Week 27 action.

Hugo Viana out with an injury

Braga's Hugo Viana is out of action for a least one week and maybe more after suffering a bruised left thigh and left sprained ankle during Saturday's match against Uniao de Leiria. Viana who is on loan from Valencia has scored 4 goals in the Portuguese League this season.

Man City show interest in David Luiz

Manchester City had a scout in the stands at the recent Benfica-Liverpool Europa League, one of the apple of City's eye looks to be Benfica's central defender David Luiz. New Man City owner Sheik Mansour is looking to spend millions of dollars in the hopes of a Premiership league title for his club next season. Man City have also shown interest in Benfica's attacking winger Angel Di Maria

Braga remain on the heels of Benfica after win

Braga continue to remain on Benfica's heels after a come from behind victory over Uniao de Leiria. Leiria opened the scoring at the 11th minute mark, when Cassio headed a cross just out of the reach of Eduardo but Braga replied before at the 31st minute when Meyong got to a loose ball in the goalie crease and the game was tied at 1-1. The deadlock lasted a whole three minutes as Braga found the back of the net again when a mistake by the Leiria backend landed on Renteria's feet and he had an empty net at his disposal, he did not miss the chance, 2-1 Braga at the half and the final score of this encounter.

In other action, FC Porto remained five points behind Braga after defeating Rio Ave on a second half goal by Ernesto Farias at the 65th minute mark, that was all Porto needed in the 1-0 victory

Portugal's World Cup defensive back situation

We continue our series on the Portugal National team roster and take a look at the teams defensive back situation as it prepares to go to South Africa. Portugal has suffered a huge blow when it comes to the position as rightback Bosingwa will miss the World Cup with an injury. Portugal's best defensive back is a key loss to the squad and Portugal will need someone to slide into the position and be a key presence in the game as Bosingwa's was. Portugal coach Queiroz will look at taking possibly four wingbacks to the World Cup and some players may play out of their position as Duda has in the left wing.

The Inside Track:

Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea) 31 years old
Portugal stats- 58 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 10 games played, 0 goals

Miguel (Valencia) 30 years old
Portugal stats- 52 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 20 games played, 0 goals

Duda (Malaga) 29 years old
Portugal stats- 14 Caps, 1 goal
2009/10 Season stats- 26 games played, 6 goals

On the Bubble:

Cesar Peixoto (Benfica) 29 years old
Portugal stats- 1 Cap, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 14 games played, 0 goals

Antunes (Leixoes) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 3 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 6 games played, 0 goals

Marco Ramos (Lens) 26 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 26 games played, 0 goals

Joao Pereira (Sporting) 26 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 21 games played, 2 goals

Outside Shot:

Silvio (Rio Ave) 22 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 22 games played, 0 goals

Miguel Lopes (FC Porto) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 7 games played, 0 goals

Nuno Pinto (Nacional) 23 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 19 games played, 0 goals

Alex (Guimaraes) 30 years old
Portugal stats- 3 Caps, 0 goals
2009/10 Season stats- 20 games played, 0 goals

Benfica spot Naval, then come back for win

Benfica spotted Naval two early goals before storming back to defeat the home side 4-2 and restore their six point lead atop the Portuguese League over Braga as they look to win their first league crown in four season. Naval jumped to a 1-0 lead when Fabio Junior just went into the Benfica zone untouched a minute into the game and beat Quim. Naval then moved ahead 2-0 at the 10 minute mark as Bolivia scored on a a cross from Fabio Junior who out paced Maxi Pereira on the play but the two goal lead was short lived as Weldon who was starting for the injured Javier Saviola scored on with his head after picking up a Maxi Pereira rebound at 14th minute mark. Then just four minutes after that Weldon struck again, converting a Pablo Aimar corner with his head again and Benfica quickly tied the game at 2-2. Angel Di Maria made sure that Benfica would go into the half with a lead as his chip shot got past Naval's keeper and Benfica went into the half leading 3-2. The second half saw one goal that came ten minutes into the half as Oscar Cardozo scored his 20th of the season to tie Falcao atop the Portuguese League leaders in goals when he collected a rebound and put Benfica ahead for good by two. Benfica will now play their second leg of the Europa League on Thursday as they travel to Liverpool leading on aggregate 2-1.

Portugal's World Cup goalkeeper situation

The World Cup in South Africa looks to be a huge event as it is the first major coup for the African continent as it shows itself to the World and here at PSNL we continue our series on the Portugal squad with a look at the Portugal goalkeeper situation. Eduardo has cemented himself as the clear number one keeper going into South Africa, the Braga stopper continues to grow in the position and is a key component of the Portugal squad. The biggest question concerning Portugal is not who its starter will be, but who will be his backups in case of any sort of injury. The backup keeper will be counted on to step into Eduardo shoes and unlike other positions reviewed so far their is no clear cut who the two backups will be as Portugal is expected to carry three keepers.

The Inside Track:

Eduardo (Braga) 27 years old
Portugal stats- 12 Caps
2009/10 Season stats- 25 games played

On the Bubble:

Hilario (Chelsea) 34 years old
Portugal stats- 1 Cap
2009/10 Season stats- 3 games played

Rui Patricio (Sporting) 22 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps
2009/10 Season stats- 25 games played

Quim (Benfica) 34 years old
Portugal stats- 32 Caps
2009/10 Season stats- 24 games played

Outside Shot:

Beto (FC Porto) 27 years old
Portugal stats- 1 Cap
2009/10 Season stats- 2 games played

Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis) 26 years old
Portugal stats- 2 Caps
2009/10 Season stats- 8 games played

Hugo Ventura (Olhanense) 22 years old
Portugal stats- 0 Caps
2009/10 Season stats- 24 games played

FC Porto keep pace in chase for second

FC Porto kept pace with Braga in their hunt for the second spot in Portugal and a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League after a defeat of Maritimo today, the Dragons sit five points behind Braga with five games to go in the season. The visitors were first to score at the Dragao as Somo scored just one minute into the game on a broken play and beat Helton from 25 yards out but the lead was short lived as three minutes later Falcao's bicycle kick hit the mark from a nifty cross from Guarin. Porto then took the lead for good just five minutes after tieing the game when Miguel Lopes' cross was headed home by Raul Meireles, a goal that Maritimo keeper Pecanha should have had. Falcao added his second of the game and league leading 20th goal of the season just six minutes into the second half heading in a corner kick just past the Maritimo keeper. Porto wrapped up the scoring in this game at the 78th munute mark as Hulk out ran the Maritimo defense and sent a low shot into the net. Porto win 4-1

In other action, there where draws all around as Academica and U. Leiria played to a scoreless tie as did Pacos Ferreira and Belenenses. Setubal had a 2-0 lead on goals by Henrique and Keita before Olhanense scored two goals to tie the game in the last 7 minutes as Djalmir and Castro earned the home side the point

Javier Saviola to miss at least two weeks with injury

Benfica's striker Javier Saviola will be out of the Benfica line up for at least another two weeks with a slight fracture in his right toe and will miss the Naval encounter and Liverpool second leg in the Europa League. Saviola at best may be back for the Lisbon Derby on April 13 against Sporting.

Sporting and Braga win on Holy Friday

Sporting and Braga both pulled out victorys on Good Friday, Sporting got their fans to quickly forget last weekends loss in Madeira with a thumping at the Estadio Avalade over Rio Ave. Sporting was quick to open the scoring with Yannick's low shot into the right corner at the 7th minute mark. Liedson doubled the lead before the half when he out leaped the Rio Ave defender and headed home a Helder Postiga cross. Yannick scored his second of the game at the 57th minute mark on a pass from Liedson, next up was Joao Moutinho who let a rocket go from just outside the box and Sporting where now up 4-0. Yannick finished out the scoring at the 75th minute mark picking up his hat trick, once again from a Liedson feed and Sporting with the win now move five points clear of Guimaraes in the battle for fourth place.

Earlier up in Braga, the regional derby between Braga and Guimaraes was set to take place. The visitors opened the scoring at the 17th minute mark when Rui Miguel placed the ball in the top corner out of the reach of Eduardo. Braga tied the game up before the half when Andrezinho was called for a hand ball in the box and Alan stepped up and converted the from the penalty spot. The second half saw its most dramatic action in the final 15 minutes when Braga was awarded another penalty kick when Renteria was dragged down in the box at the 80th minute mark and he converted to give Braga a 2-1 lead. Then at the 91st minute mark Guimaraes was awarded a penalty kick which was converted by Andrezinho to tie the game up again but the game still had more to come. Renteria was again interfered with at the 94th minute mark when he had a slight tug on his jersey and got the call and once again Braga were heading to the penalty spot, this kicked off a flurry of red cards for Guimaraes as they protested the call Andrezinho, Demarets and Joao Alves where all given red cards joining Valdomiro for a total of 4 red cards in the game. Braga returned for the third time in the game to the penalty spot. Meyong stepped up to the spot and scored his second goal of the game and Braga went 3 for 3 from the spot much to the dismay of Guimaraes keeper Nilson as Braga went on to win 3-2. The win moves Braga to within three points of Benfica for first place in the Portuguese League.

In other action Nacional snapped a three game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Leixoes with Edgar Costa getting the marker

Setubal fans heading on road trip for the Algarve

Setubal fans are heading on a road trip as they head off to Algarve for Setubal's encounter this weekend with Olhanense. This is Setubal's first game on the road against Olhanense since 1975 and the fans look to enjoy the rare encounter during the Easter Weekend. The organization has stated that they are providing 30 buses for the fans to travel to the game as the club has sold over 1800 tickets, the fans will also be able to tour the neighbourhoods of the city. Setubal fans will be looking for Setubal to win their third game in a row on the trip