30/08/2010
Rio Ave-FC Porto, 0-2: The «Incredible» Hulk is unstoppable
 The interruption of the Portuguese League, due to international games, will be a pleasant one for FC Porto. With a 2-0 win over Rio Ave, the objective set out by coach André Villas-Boas has been fulfilled: having FC Porto reach this stage of the League without suffering any losses and thus top of the table. In addition, the team has managed six consecutive wins and scored fifteen goals this season. Hulk is unstoppable, having scored five goals in the last two matches.
Rio Ave is not an easy team, much less when playing at home. The opening minutes of the match, where the assertiveness of both teams was evident, proved it. However, FC Porto’s best technical qualities came through: Varela and Alvaro Pereira combined perfectly on the left and so Hulk, from the right, was able to up the score to 1-0. Twenty-four minutes had elapsed and FC Porto went on to control the match.
Two minutes later, Belluschi startled the opposing goalkeeper Mário Felgueiras, through a free-kick. However, FC Porto had to indeed work hard to dominate the match. The team’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the thousands of FC Porto supporters on the stands.
During the second-half, the first sign of danger was given by João Moutinho at the 56th minute but the powerful shot was saved by Mário Felgueiras. At the 61st minute, Hulk’s shot indeed touched the side net, but the attempt wasn’t sufficient. The second goal was imminent and came about from a stunning team effort: Fucile, Hulk, F alcao, Belluschi and Varela all touched the ball until the Brazilian glided it to up the score to 2-0.
It was evident that FC Porto would not allow the three points to slip away. With a two-goal advantage and great team spirit, the score remained unaltered until the final whistle. Belluschi and Hulk got close to the third goal and that would have proven to be rather harsh on the opponent. FC Porto are currently top of the League table and reluctant to lose their position.
MATCH REPORT
Rio Ave - FC Porto, 0-2
2010/11 Portuguese League, Third round
29 August 2010
Rio Ave FC Stadium, Vila do Conde
Referee: Jorge Sousa (AF Porto)
Assistant Referees: José Ramalho e José Luís Melo
Fourth Referee: Artur Soares Dias
RIO AVE: Mário Felgueiras; Zé Gomes, Gaspar, Ricardo Chaves and Milhazes; Bruno China, Tarantini and Fábio Felício; Bruno Gama, João Tomás and Saulo
Substitutions: Fábio Felício for Cícero (64m), Bruno Gama for Yazalde (68m) and João Tomás for Mendes (86m)
Unused Subs: Paulo Santos, Braga, Tiago Pinto and Wires
Coach: Carlos Brito
FC PORTO: Helton; Sapunaru, Rolando, Maicon and Alvaro Pereira; Fernando, João Moutinho and Belluschi; Hulk, Falcao and Varela
Substitutions: Sapunaru for Fucile (60m), Varela for Souza (66m) and João Moutinho for Cristian Rodríguez (84m)
Unused subs: Beto, Sereno, Walter and Ruben Micael
Coach: André Villas-Boas
At half-time: 0-1
Scorers: Hulk (24m e 65m)
Bookings: Yellow cards to Tarantini (40m) and Saulo (48m) |
