Jesualdo Ferreira celebrated his 100th win in charge of FC Porto as Hulk inspired a 2-1 comeback victory over APOEL FC that strengthens the Portuguse titleholders hand in UEFA Champions League Group D.
Hulk double
Caught cold by the Cypriot outfit’s first real foray forward on 22 minutes, which ended with lvaro Pereira helping the ball over his own goalline, Porto reacted with wounded pride and drew level through the excellent Hulk eleven minutes later. The Brazilian striker was a constant menace and it was fitting that he should deliver the telling blow, scoring from the spot three minutes into the second period. Mariano Gonzlez’s late dismissal gave APOEL hope they might salvage a point, but they never really threatened to add to their solitary point in the section.
Hulk run
Their defensive injury concerns worsened by Christos Kontis’s late withdrawal, APOEL nonetheless kept faith in the cautious approach that had posed their previous opponents such problems. A style based on closing spaces and harrying opponents, it tested Porto’s talent for invention, though Hulk almost passed that test single-handedly with 14 minutes gone when he raced past three defenders down the right before shooting off target.
Surprise opener
That effort aside, he and his colleagues were reduced to trying their luck from distance, until a close-range overhead attempt from Cristin Rodrguez claimed by APOEL goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis suggested they were finally zeroing in their objective. To general surprise, however, the deadlock was broken at the other end, Pereira bundling the ball into his own goal in his attempt to prevent Konstantinos Charalambides connecting with Chrysostomos Michail’s centre from the left.
Source: mirosport.net
No comments:
Post a Comment