Stout defending not enough to stop flying Benfica (NSW)
A strong and disciplined defensive display from South Coast was not enough to stop Benfica from making it four straight wins to maintain their position at the top of the Mens Super League.
Benfica started the game at a fast tempo and soon had Taipans keeper Jay Digger twice denying Benfica’s Marcelo De Andrade from giving his team the early lead.
Benfica’s court movement on and off the ball was faster than their opponents as they continued to dominate possession and pepper their opponents goal with Itaua Batista, Osmar De Barros, Hussein Akil and Caio Ongaratto all going close. Even keeper Joshua De Palma had several long range efforts.
Despite Benfica’s territorial advantage the South Coast played with admirable determination and discipline and always forced their opponents away from the penalty area to deny them clear cut attempts on goal.
South Coast had their chances too but perhaps their best attempt of the first half came when keeper Jay Digger crashed a shot from half way against the post. In the end both teams went to the break locked at 0-0.
The second half started the same as the first half with Benfica striving for a goal and the Taipans resolutely defending and hitting Benfica on the break. Keeper Josh De Palma made a great save to deny South Coasts Dean Triffitt on the counter attack.
Taipans keeper Jay Digger made further excellent saves to deny Itaua Batista and Nuno Simao and keep his team in the game whilst the dangerous Dean Triffitt for South Coast fired just wide.
But just when it looked like South Cost might hang on for a draw the game changed suddenly. The ball was back passed to the keeper when it was adjudged to have not have crossed the half way.
Despite South Coasts protests an indirect freekick was awarded and Caio Ongaratto slammed the ball home to make it 1-0 but not before the refs conferred that the ball had been touched first before Caio scored.
From this point South Coast had to go forward, but this left the gaps at the back that Benfica had craved all game and Itaua Batista made it 2-0 after forcing a mistake from the defence.
South Coasts Russell Crighton crashed a shot against the bar and Okan Turkman forced a fine save from keeper Da Palma. But it was not enough as Osmar De Barros wrapped up the game for Benfica late in the game.
Despite South Coasts gallant defensive effort the three points deservedly went to the skilful and mobile Benfica outfit.
Source : Football NSW
By : Peter Davies
Published : 20/10/2008
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