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Oriental Lisbon - One Step Closer

The journey of minnows Oriental Lisbon.
Started on 3 May 2014 by Walter
Latest Reply on 17 November 2014 by Feliks
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My first comment, but not my first view. Just letting you know that I may follow, or I may not, depends on how good this is...

The Cape Verdean Connection


Goals are what makes the team win. In today's football world you generally see formations such as 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 floating around - these are the standard formations most teams use these days.

In the lower leagues, however, sometimes it is necessary to go back to basics. Our form has been exceptional this season, and all with a very simple 4-4-2. Surprisingly, a two man strikeforce is almost something of a rarity these days... false nines, shadow strikers and other crazy positions have evolved over the course of the past few years.

But at Oriental this season there has been none of that. Our two Cape Verdean strikers have been the stars of the show - Figo and Balack. Both namesakes of famous European footballers (kind of), they are the closest thing we'll be replicating to one of their performances at this level.

(Ironically there is another Cape Verdean striker who shares the name of a famous footballer - he is called Platini :)) )

This solid partnership is one of the main reasons as to why we are flying on top of the league undefeated at the moment. Figo acts as the Advanced Forward of the pair. His role is to get into good positions and score as well as create opportunities for others. He gets in behind the defensive line and either fires it home himself or lays it off to his Cape Verdean counterpart.

Balack is the Deep-Lying Forward. He is responsible for connecting the play between midfield and attack to make sure we maintain some fluidity in our attack. With no real designated playmaker in our tactic, Balack's role is vital in ensuring that we get the ball upfront. As well as this he gets forward to score his fair share of goals, too.

This partnership between these two strikers has been vital and I think they've showed enough form to keep Sebastien rooted to the bench for the entirety of the season, which is bound to cause some grumbles, unfortunately.

Balack was the one to put us in the lead against Leixões and both him and Figo have scored multiple times in the league. Usually it is either one of them on the end of eachother's through ball or nodding home Tiago Mota's cross. This connection between the two is vital to us and I hope it continues throughout the season and is able to power us home to that elusive promotion, the one that is demanded of me.
Cape Verdeans.. You ought to thank them Walt.
edu1878 ok... :P

Pauker Indeed I do Pauk ;)

December: Maintaining Our Form


Oriental came away undefeated in December

Match Results



The month began at Operario Açores, who were coming second for the majority of the season. We came away with a comfortable 2-0 win and that gave us confidence against newest second place Casa Pia. A tricky away game, we fought valiantly and got a point, probably a fair result for the day. The final game of a short month was at struggling Loures. It wasn't hard to break away with a 4-1 win, a fantastic end of the month for Figo, who bagged a hat-trick.

The Cup Draw



SL Benfica

We have been drawn against the giants of Lisbon! I cannot wait for this clash and I am ecstatic we get the chance to go to the famed Estádio da Luz and pit our wits against Jorge Jesus' Eagles! I cannot wait for this clash!

The Month Ahead



We play SLB first up and then we go on another short journey to play another Benfica.. this time CF Benfica. We finish off the regular season with an easy home trip at Sporting Ideal, which should be a big morale booster pre the promotion stage! I'm aiming for two wins and against SLB the result is not important to me.

Author's Notes


Sorry for the no-table and no Player of the Month to back it up. I forgot to take some screenshots and got a bit too interested in to my game, I guess. Wanted to also say thanks for the comments and views, at the time of me writing this update I was on 1.4k - so thanks again! :D

Coming Up...
The Dream Continues!
Wow, the Portuguese F.A. are absolute nuts! Anytime a lower-league team, they have home-advantage, and you didn't get it.. Wtf! Great update nonetheless.
2014-05-17 03:54#175016 Pauker : Wow, the Portuguese F.A. are absolute nuts! Anytime a lower-league team, they have home-advantage, and you didn't get it.. Wtf! Great update nonetheless.

They also made a new system where even if I finish atop the National Championship - G, then I still have a chance of playing in the third tier again >.<
I hope you can beat benfica but your doing awesome! :) keep it up and promotion will be yours!
1
Really looking forward to the Benfica tie. A giant killing one hopes!!!
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jason Haha thanks mate

fmhunter Yes that would be good, but it'll be a dream experience either way :)

The Dream Continues!



Estádio da Luz
Reporter: Your side have been drawn against Portuguese giants SL Benfica in the Taça de Portugal 5th round, surely you must be a bit annoyed you were given possibly the toughest draw you could get?

Vitor Martins: No, in fact, I'm delighted to have been drawn against such reputable opposition. For myself and the players, the chance for me to sit in the dugout.. and for the players to play on the fine turf at the Estádio da Luz - it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that I'd never turn down. As much as I hate to say it, we are severe underdogs and can't go in to this competition thinking we are sure fire to win. I always back the boys to give it their all, but I think the experiences we have gained from this competition, and will gain tomorrow, and ten times as good as if we'd have played another small club. For our club, of our stature, this opportunity is one that no one would reject.

Reporter: Interesting. Many people are saying an upset is on the cards and is a possibility come the end of the match, what are your views on these predictions?

Vitor Martins: Look - I don't like to make predictions. Obviously Benfica are the top team in Portugal at the moment and we're going to have our work cut out. But I've said it before and I will say it again - we have an incredible bunch of players. The team spirit within those change rooms, in my opinion, is one of a confident, assured and happy group of people. Morale is high and that is one thing that could get us over the line. It will be tough, yes, but I never doubt the boys, they are an excellent crop of players.

Reporter: Okay. are you going to adopt a defensive mentality going into this game in order to get anything out of it?

Vitor Martins: We will go out there and play how we usually play from kick off. We've been in top form lately and I really don't see why we should change it just because we're coming up against tougher opposition. We are much better off playing our own game than putting ten men behind the ball and hitting and hoping, we're just not like that. I may make a few little tweaks here and there but otherwise I think we should just try and keep it tight at the back, and try to make, and take, a few of our chances.

Reporter: Jorge Jesus seems more assured and composed going into this game than yourself, is there anything you have to say about that?

Vitor Martins: Obviously Jorge Jesus has been there and done it before, but I wouldn't say he's handling it better than I am in any way. Nerves are to be expected before a crunch game like this for me and my team. It's a big occasion for us - but we know what we need to do, and that is enough for me.

Reporter: Last question, Oriental fans will be hungry for success tonight, maybe even demanding a win? How do you cope with the pressure of that?

Vitor Martins: We'll just go out there, enjoy the experience and play our hearts out. That's all I can ask of my boys and I know they will deliver.

--

I stood up and walked out of the half-empty press room, a mix of emotions swirling through my head. This was by far our biggest game of the year, and I was relishing the opporunity - win or loss, we'd enjoy this game.

Oriental Lisbon vs. SL Benfica



Pre-Match Team Talk…
Vitor Martins: Okay boys. For many of you, if not possibly all of you – this is one of the biggest occasions of your life. Playing here, at the Estádio da Luz is something that will maybe never come around again. Just enjoy the game, I don’t care about the result tonight, even if we get absolutely thrashed – just go out and enjoy the experience.

Just work on playing your own game, the game that has brought us so many wins this season. As I said before, I really don’t mind if we get hammered, all I want to see is you giving it your absolute all and breathing the whole experience in. Now go out there and enjoy the game boys!!


Pre Match: The Lineups



A relatively weakened Benfica side here today, with some added experience just to make sure of a result tonight. Rodrigo and Lima being the most notable names on the team sheet tonight, along with captain for the night Ruben Amorim.

For Oriental they go out with their strongest eleven, the team that won 15 games on the trot. They will be hard pressed for a result tonight, however, as Benfica are currently atop the Liga zon Sagres. Let’s go to the game.

The First Half


1- SLB kick off the game.

6’- SLB go out left to Rechobo, his cross is floated towards the back post but Lima heads wide, just enough done by Mota there.

11’- Mota goal kick.. Alfaiate heads it back into the middle where Sulejmani and Jean exchange passes. Out to Rechobo on the left, into Sulemanji, to Lima, Rodrigo cuts in behind Portela whose shot is excellently kept out by Mota

28’- Figo takes the ball through the centre, using his pace to get to the right side of the box.. short pass to Mota, cuts back to Condesso… but Bruno Varela reads the situation well.

42’- Mota from the goal kick, Rechobo wins it back, heading it to Lima who finds Rodrigo cutting in from the left and he beats his man with pace but fires over.

45’- Ruben Amorim wins the ball, Nunes plays out of the back to Jean who keeps the ball moving to Filipe Djuric he finds Lima… goal!! Lima finds the bottom corner of the net!

HALF TIME

ANALYSIS: Benfica are dominating play but Oriental are creating chances. They were unlucky to concede when they did and they are fighting well out there but the difference in quality is showing a little bit. Both teams are playing well though.

The Second Half


45’- Oriental kick off the second half

47’- Bruno Varela plays it short to Alfaiate who passes to Rechobo and onto Rodrigo and then Jean. The Brazilian misplaces his pass and Calado wins it back. Quick passing from Oriental… Mendonça lobs it to Figo who passes to Balack. He beats his man but his shot skews wide.

49’- Feliciano Condesso

57’- Rodrigo takes the free kick for SLB from 35 yards out… Siqueira gets on the end of it and it is an easy goal for Benfica! 2-0!

60’- Jean

61’- Sergio Mendonça’s free kick is lobbed into the box, headed clear… but wait, a penalty has been given! Hugo Grilo will step up to take it. The centre back aims for the corner but youngster Varela guesses correctly and pushes it to safety!!

78’- After some quality build up from Benfica the ball is put into the box, but Lima’s point blank range shot is somehow deflected off target by Tiago Mota!

FULL TIME

Full Time Oriental Team Talk
It’s alright boys, we all know it is Benfica and they are a quality side. Don’t let it get to you. You played your hearts out and you got an experience of playing at the Estádio da Luz. Don’t let your morale slip, we’ve got some important games coming up and we want our team spirit to be high and good as usual, because that will get us over the line, and then we can make a strong bid for promotion!
Unlucky defeat but Benfica are a great side. Quality update Walter! :)
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2014-05-18 21:17#175281 Josh_MU : Unlucky defeat but Benfica are a great side. Quality update Walter! :)

Yeah I know, it was more about just being there, you know? :P Thanks mate.
Unlucky to lose, but your side showed great character! Great update :)

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