Oriental Lisbon - One Step Closer

CONGRATS ON WINNING STORY OF THE MONTH!!!

Well done Walter!

Thank you!

As Neal just mentioned earlier, I have won Story of the Month alongside pompeyblue. First of all, thanks for the nomination, and thanks for the people that voted me. It's an honour to share the prize with a great story like pompey's and I hope that even more stories start to come through on the forums to give the judges some tough decisions to make

This story is racking up the accolades. 10,000 views, 500 replies, Story of the Month in the space of a week or so. It is fast turning into one of the classics if not already one, keep up the brilliant work Walter!

You didn't deserve to win, but congrats anyway.

Feliks Mucho gracias!

Josh oi, watch it

Almeida's Analysis: November-December

The final two months of the year. 2016 was coming to a close and that meant the halfway point of the season was approaching. For the boys, it was set to be one of the toughest months yet, with games against two of the big three.




The 4th round of the Taça de Portugal was drawn and we were to travel to Funchal again to play Maritímo, one of the league's better teams. It was always going to be a tough fixture and it was the cup, so I can't say I'm too disappointed in the team. The manager did well in his tactics again and we were good to only conceded one. Now that we lost we're out of the cup for good and we can shift all our focus on to the task at hand in the league - staying up.



I decided to stay on the island for two weeks, as after the Maritímo match we had another game on the island of Madeira - against the third best team on the island União Madeira. They sat bottom of the table and I knew that we had to win this at all costs, because we needed to capitalise on this opportunity. It took a while, but we took the lead through Stefano Franchi in the 39th minute to go into the break 1-0 up. Hugo Grilo, our loyal captain, scored the second from the spot before Astorino added a third with 20 minutes remaining. It was Nigerian Cedric Omoigui who completed a brilliant victory in the 89th minute. The fans are particularly pleased with the result and I'm so happy we've managed to take advantage of this game!



As the league and country's superpower, I was not expecting anything from the FC Porto game. The fans were hoping for the boys to just put up a strong, competitive performance. Much to our delight that's what we did. It was easily a Porto win as they went into a 2-0 lead, but when our Belgian centre half Alessandro Astorino smashed home the loose ball off of a corner, we knew we had an opporunity. For the last six or so minutes we went full blast but we were never going to get past the brick wall that was the Porto defense. All in all, a credible result.



Rui Vitoria's Vitoria Guimarães side were no pushovers and had played well for the majority of the season. We'd have to pull something out of the hat to get a good result but the fans and I always knew that our boys were also tough to beat. We started well, and the match played out to be fairly even. Cedric Omoigui was able to put us ahead just under half an hour in which was great for confidence and morale. But on loan Manchester United forward Elvis Vilakazi was too much of a threat and squared proceedings up. It finished 1-1, and I feel that is a good point for us and that the players worked their socks off.



Our next fixture was an away trip to an under performing Braga side, arch rivals of our previous opponents Vitoria Guimarães. Despite their poor showing in the league they were a team not to be taken lightly. We went down in the first half much to the delight of their fans inside the Estádio Municipal Braga. They lead the game for a while but we started to push on in the latter stages of the match. The manager looked as if he was pushing everyone forward, and he decided to bring on Brayan Riascos to make the difference. And make the difference he did, as the Colombian fired home an 88th-minute equaliser to give us another vital point!



As the second power of Portugal, all fans of Oriental were pessimistic heading into our away clash at the Estádio da Luz - home of SL Benfica. I remember the first time I came here to see our boys take on the giants of Lisbon in the Taça de Portugal all those years ago. Today, though, it was a league match, and the end result was disappointing. I didn't think we'd get anything out of the game and I couldn't say I wasn't expecting was eventually did come.

League Table

I guess having to play two of the big three, plus a couple of other top notch sides made it hard to take much away from this month. However the win against União Madeira was highly important as predicted as it keeps us in 11th place.

The Fans' View

Again I got the chance to sit down my friends and discuss the two months of football that we'd just seen. It was December, so it was cold and we'd had to go to the stadiums in our coats, and the cold weather had not helped in the way that it had coincided with the most difficult part of our fixture list. Still, we cannot be ashamed of our performances and we have to keep on fighting!

The Month Ahead

In the league - well, we have it pretty easy. In the cup, not so much. We have the chance to get three wins from our three league games and also an opportunity to prepare for Moreirense in the league when we play them in the cup first. Força Oriental!

That was a ridiculously tough month, but you're still doing alright in the league. Keep it up and don't get relegated!!

Bad month Walter, you disappoint me. (5am comment woo!)

Not the best month but it looks as if you're in no danger of getting relegated! Next month looks easier as well and I think you can rebound.

Wut. You win Story of the Month and this is how you reward us voters? Typical Walter

Nealão Yeah, it was tough, but we did well I thought. Thanks Nealão!

Josh_MU Oi, you watch urself m8

The Mad. Yeah, it wasn't ideal, but we're still safe!

Feliks U watch urself 2

Tough month and the results showed that, but your still pretty well positioned in the league so its not all too bad. Also, a huge congratulations on your SOTM win

Congrats, Walter!

pompey, Paddy Thanks guys! :).