Casa Benfica slash Braga lead to just three points

The last round of matches in the Portuguese Elite Beach Soccer League before the international season begins saw Casa Benfica get right back in the race for the national title.

They cut SC Braga’s lead to just three points, after beating ACD Sótão, GR Amigos Paz and Varzim, while Braga won against Sporting, meaning that the defending champions dropped essential points, as well as beating local side ACD Sótão.

However, the Euro Winners Cup finalists dropped two points when they were forced to the penalty spot by GD Chaves, allowing Casa Benfica de Loures to cut the difference between the sides and remain in a strong second.

Sporting won two and lost one in the last three matchdays, slipping to three points behind Casa Benfica and six behind SC Braga.

AD Buarcos surged up the table, registering nine points in the three games to leap into fourth after beating GD Chaves, Varzim and GR Amigos Paz who remain bottom on just one point.

GD Chaves and Varzim SC are level on nine points, while ACD Sótão, after losing against the top three ranked clubs, remain on six points.

With the beginning of the European season, where a flurry of activity will see the EBSL Division A Regular Stage (men and women) as well as the European Qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup staged, the Portuguese league will take a break and return on 24 July.

The Estádio do Viveiro – Jordan Santos in Nazaré hosted the latest round of national league matches, and will be the stage for the coming international competitions which start on Wednesday.

For full details of the Portuguese Elite Beach Soccer League, head to www.fpf.pt/.

Thursday 10 June
GD Chaves 3-6 Varzim SC
AD Buarcos 9-4 GR Amigos Paz
CB Loures 4-1 ACD Sótão
Sporting CP 2-6 SC Braga

Saturday 12 June
Varzim SC 4-5 AD Buarcos
ACD Sótão 2-6 Sporting CP
GR Amigos Paz 5-8 CB Loures
SC Braga 3(3)-(2)3 GD Chaves

Sunday 13 June
AD Buarcos 5-4 GD Chaves
CB Loures 2-1 Varzim SC
SC Braga 5-1 ACD Sótão
Sporting CP 3-2 GR Amigos Paz

STANDINGS

1 – SC Braga (24)
2 – CB Loures (21)
3 – Sporting CP (18)
4 – AD Buarcos (15)
5 – GD Chaves (9)
6 – Varzim SC (9)
7 – ACD O Sótão (6)
8 – GR Amigos Paz (1)

Photo: fpf.com