SL Brazão come to Fratton and escape with narrow 0v1 win
Portsmouth entertained ZéBrazão's SL Brazão at Fratton Park earlier today, but try as they might, in a tight game, couldn't quite get a result.
SL Brazão are top of the whole Euro League, having come up from Div 1b as Champions last season, and starting this term with 3 wins and a draw from their opening 4 fixtures (as well as 4 wins in the Cup). Pompey Manager Scott McGarvey so decided to risk 'something different', and went for bypassing midfield as much as possible, whilst hoping his back 5 (still minus his crucial stopper: Fermín Lizardi, injured), and a 3 man strike force, might nick a goal to defend (or some such).
Things looked bad after just 15 minutes, when Ludo Iuliano, the Blues veteran striker, seemed to damaged knee ligament, and was stretchered off, with no-one around him. Iuliano is in his last season (hanging up his boots at the end of this term), but is still very much part of the team as Pompey's best striker (& winner of the Gold medal for top scorer in Div 5:22 last term). He needed oxygen, and a tentative scan, even at this early stage, says he is likely out for the maximum amount - what a blow for the Blues with Lizardi out too, and so much expectation at a full Fratton Park!
The knock-on effect for Pompey's league season could be *major* too... Anyway, back to today's game.
There were *no* chances in the 1st half, as the two sides canceled each other out (surprisingly), despite the contrast in playing styles. Pompey not as behind in possession as you would've thought. Then a chance for Brazão, fortunately, it passed. Sub Aristides Manhente's (on for Iuliano) good work fashioned an opening for Pompey then - but they couldn't take it.
There was a surprise change in midfield with Archie Avalos giving way to Claudio Tardelli. But this came 2 minutes after the breakthrough for Brazão - greedily gobbled up by Allan Pearse, whose firm header beat Bråkenhjelm in the Pompey goal. It ended 0v1 (1-2 on chances), The Blues gave a creditable performance, but you wonder if McGarvey may 'cut his losses' (and go for DV) in what looks an incredibly hard 3rd Round 2nd leg now...
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