Carlsberg Cup Fifth Round, Second Leg, Row Thirty Five, Seat A

By: Greg | October 31st, 2007

cberg The I Couldn’tcarelessberg Cup is continuing tonight. The second leg of the tournament’s pre-group stage takes place as the real stories here are the teams that stand to be recognized as giant killers. Benfica and Sporting are the two big clubs left and Sporting are staring elimination square in the face at the hands of Fatima who eliminated Porto (incidentally the Dragãos’ last defeat) in the previous round. Here are a few quick blurbs about each match and predictions that are bound to go wrong…

U.d.Leiria (1) v. Penafiel (3) – Leiria have been underachieving all year. They qualified for the UEFA Cup and ever since have been getting their asses handed to them for the most part and now sit dead last domestically in the BWINLiga table. Penafiel are also dead last, but in the Liga Vitalis table. I find it difficult to get excited for a second leg that basically involves the two worst-performing teams in their respective divisions. Since the Penafiel faithful have had little to cheer about this year, I’ll do them a favor and predict a 3-0 Leiria win (which will inordinately lead to Penafiel winning by 27 goals).

Fatima (2) v. Sporting (1) – Sporting have been putting together next to nothing on the pitch lately. Their recent run of disappointing results makes the way they played against Manchester United a few weeks ago (in spite of the 1-0 loss) look like ancient history. Fatima are on a high right now after knocking Porto out in the previous round and defeating Sporting in a tough away environment. Fatima’s fans will be fired up and pack the 1,500 capacity stadium for this one. While Sporting probably have 1,500 fans waiting to use the restroom at any given time, I don’t think it’s so much an intimidation factor as it is that Fatima stand to gain a good amount of positive energy from their supporters. Fatima can ill afford to attempt to park a bus in front of the net as their defenders will not be able to prevent every try Sporting would have on net as the result of a defensive-minded approach. I think Sporting will win here 3-0 and go on to the next round. They’re angry and looking to beat up on someone. Unfortunately Fatima has drawn the short straw here.

V.Setubal (1) v. Benfica (1) – Setubal are having an excellent season thus far. Benfica have been ignited recently by the energy Freddy Adu is bringing to the pitch as a super sub. Adu had to spare Benfica’s blushes the last time these two met in the first leg with a late tally to preserve a tie in front of the Luz faithful. Given the nature of this game and the fact that he seems to be in form, Adu may actually get a start here. Setubal will be determined, perhaps even more so than Benfica here. I think this may go down to penalties with Benfica moving on.

Beira Mar (0) v. Portimonense (1) – Zzzzz…. Both are Liga Vitalis clubs with Beira Mar taking 15 points thus far in the league and Portimonense only taking 5. Beira Mar’s fans are usually up for a good exposition and I think the nature of the clash combined with the nature of the venue will give the Aveiro (Beira Mar) side the upper hand here. 2-0 to Beira Mar.

The winners of these four two-legged matches will be placed together in a round robin scenario with the top two teams resulting from that playing for the trophy and a first round UEFA Cup spot. Hoo-frigging-ray. Kisses ALL AROUND!!