As expected… (almost) total balance at Dragão Arena in this first leg of the Intercontinental Cup final, between FC Porto and Sporting. The Dragons entered the match better, had several opportunities to score, but only after 15 minutes they managed to open the scoring, through Ezequiel Mena. The goal was good for the dragons who, shortly afterwards, increased their advantage, with a goal by Reinaldo García.
However, and pulling the strength of a great team that they are also, Sporting reacted immediately and Gonzalo Romero, with a free-kick, reduced it. The lions were looking for an equalizer, which eventually came, with Toni Pérez matching the best way to a perfect assist from Ferran Font.
And until the final whistle of the first half, the team was closer to the goal, but Gonzalo Romero, twice, failed to defeat Xavier Malián.
It’s all open for the second 25 minutes, which promise continues to deliver an excellent roller hockey spectacle.
Interval! FC Porto 2 Sporting 2.
24 minutes: Gonzalo Romero tried his luck again, but Xavier Malián prevented the Argentine’s goal.
23 minutes: Sporting almost scores! Gonzalo Romero, after an individual effort, has a shot from Xavier Malián’s goal.
20 minutes: Sporting goal! Assisted by Ferran Font and Toni Pérez, at the far post, makes it 2-2.
18 minutes: Sporting goal! Gonzalo Romero, in the free-kick conversion, got the better of Xavier Malián and reduced it to 2-1.
18 minutes: Blue card to Ezequiel Mena. Sporting will benefit from a direct free kick.
Time discount requested by Paulo Freitas, Sporting coach.
18 minutes: FC Porto’s goal! Reinaldo García made a diagonal from the left to the center and, without asking permission, shot for 2-0.
In the chapter of fouls, and with just over 9 minutes to play in this first part, FC Porto has already committed 7 infractions, against Sporting’s 5.
Time discount requested by Ricardo Ares, FC Porto coach.
15 minutes: FC Porto’s goal! Ezequiel Mena, after intercepting a ball in midfield, progressed several meters, took Ângelo Girão out of the way and made it 1-0.
Time discount requested by Paulo Freitas, Sporting coach.
14 minutes: FC Porto almost scores! Ezequiel Mena, following an excellent individual initiative, hits Sporting’s goalpost.
13 minutes: Counter-attack led by Reinaldo García and Rafa, close to Leon’s goal, with a shot for an attentive defense by Ângelo Girão.
Time discount requested by Ricardo Ares, FC Porto coach.
9 minutes: Pass of João Souto and Matías Platero, already in the area, tries the goal, but Xavier Malián denied the attempts to the Argentine.
6 minutes: Gonzalo Romero’s mid-range shot, strong, but in the style of Xavier Malián.
4 minutes: Assisted by Gonçalo Alves and deflected by Carlo Di Benedetto into goal, where Angelo Girão makes a resource save, over the line, leaving doubts as to whether the ball entered the Lion’s goal entirely or not. The Spanish refereeing duo was ready to say that it was not a goal.
2 minutes: Xavier Barroso shot at Angelo Girão’s goal post.
FC Porto: Xavier Malián, Rafa, Carlo Di Benedetto, Xavier Barroso and Gonçalo Alves
Sporting: Angelo Girão, Alessandro Verona, Matías Platero, João Souto and Gonzalo Romero
Initial five:
Start of match!
FC Porto: Xavier Malián, Telmo Pinto, Ezequiel Mena, Rafa, Carlitos Ramos, Carlo Di Benedetto, Xavier Barroso, Reinaldo García C, Gonçalo Alves and Tiago Rodrigues
Coach: Ricardo Ares
Sporting: Angelo Girão C, Ferran Font, Alessandro Verona, Matías Platero, Gonçalo Nunes, João Souto, Toni Pérez, Henrique Magalhães, Zé Diogo Macedo and Gonzalo Romero
Coach: Paulo Freitas
Referees: Rúben Fernandéz and Jonathan Sanchez (Spain)
There are already teams!
There is one more condiment to add to an always hot FC Porto-Sporting: none of the clubs have won, to date, any Intercontinental Cup. In this chapter, it should be mentioned that there are two Portuguese teams that have already lifted the trophy, such as Benfica (2013 and 2017) and OC Barcelos (1992).
It should be noted, by the way, that the second leg is already scheduled for Sunday, at 6 pm, at the João Rocha Pavilion, in Lisbon.
Dragão Arena receives, this evening (20.30 hours), the first leg of the Intercontinental Cup, which will pit FC Porto and Sporting against each other. It is a great classic of European and world roller hockey and A BALL online will tell you all about the duel between dragons and lions. Stay tuned…
Good night!
– .
