Coming To A Close
Proceedings for Oriental came to a close
Final Four Games
The final four games this month were all easily winnable and gave us a chance to finish the season on a good note and maybe even wrap up a historical title win? The first of the four was a home game versus a struggling Trofense outfit. Another home game, this time versus fallen giants Boavista, was next up, before we travelled to Ac. Viseu and Lieria to finish off our season.
The Results
Fan day was a big occasion for our club and supporters. A record crowd of 1,859 turned up to the Campo Engenheiro Carlos Salema to see our high-flying team go up against a
Trofense side labouring to get out of the drop zone.
It was an incredible atmosphere, and the lads were really inspired by it. The fans drove us on after we went behind just near half time. A slip up here wouldn't do, and we put everyone forward to try and get a result. Young gem Pedro Monteiro, of all people, stepped up to the plate.
His two goals in the space of four minutes gave us three points on the day, and those three points was enough to seal the title after Moreirense slipped up!!
Final Score: Oriental 2-1 Trofense
Boavista were the next team to visit the fortress that is the Campo Eng. Carlos Salema at the moment, and in the form we were in we never looked like ending our winning streak. Two good goals and a clean sheet is a great result and now that we've won the title I could also afford to give fringe players some game time.
Pedro Monteiro again impressed and so did our usual performers Cedric Omoigui and Stefano Franchi - the duo both grabbing goals again. Breno and Alessandro Astorino also impressed as we grabbed another win.
Final Score: Oriental 2-0 Boavista
Our two game away trip began at
Ac. Viseu, a mid table side leaning towards the lower placings of the league. We got off to a flyer, Sergio Liparoti tucking away an easy goal to give us the lead.
We continued to look dangerous on the break and we were rewarded, Cristiano scoring a comical own goal to give us a 2-0 lead before the break. Ten minutes prior to the second half's beginning, Mamadu Camara scored a goal to put Viseu back in with a shout.
But captain Hugo Grilo made sure of a result, as he nodded home from a corner to give us three more points. It was great to get a win and also give players like Vitor Rodrigues and Lorenzo Finotti some game time, and new signing Breno yet again impressed.
Final Score: Ac. Viseu 1-3 Oriental
A game which had no importance whatsoever, I told the boys to just go out there and relax, have fun and a win would just be a bonus.
U.D Lieira, newly promoted from the National Championship, started strong and got a very early goal from Artheuro only two minutes in.
They played the ball around and we sat back, getting a few chances here and there. Half time approached and we still found ourselves behind. I told the boys the pressure was still not on, just give it your best shot.
Our quality showed through a bit because even though the lads didn't really play to their best, we still mustered a draw through the ever-impressive Stefano Franchi, who collected another goal.
Final Score: U.D Lieria 1-1 Oriental
Campeones!
The season is over, and next year we will be a Liga Zon Sagres team!!! We need to make a lot of adjustments over the offseason to accomodate for the jump, because I'm pretty sure the core of this squad probably isn't fit for the level of football in the first division.
That's not to say I'm going to kick them all out, a lot of them have the attributes to make the jump up and we will need a few tweaks here and there, that is all. Hopefully we'll be given a budget to work with, too!
Next Up...
Oriental Player of the Season, and a Season Review! Stay tuned!