Portuguese Football in English
Back in Portugal’s top flight for the first time in 83 years, Casa Pia have made a sensational start to the season. Confounding all expectations, the historical Lisbon team currently occupy fourth position in the Primeira Liga standings.
PortuGOAL wanted to find out more. In an exclusive interview with sporting director Diogo Boa Alma, some of the secrets of Casa Pia’s recent success are unveiled, in addition to the club’s ambitions for the future.
Back in Portugal’s top flight for the first time in over eight decades, Casa Pia Atlético Clube is one of the country’s most historical clubs with its own very particular story, not least owing to its association with the Casa Pia charitable orphanage that dates back to the 18th century.
Filipe D’Avillez delved in detail into the club’s origins in his marvellous “One Thousand Miles to Jamor” book charting the Portuguese Cup 2018/19 competition. Here Filipe brings us a condensed history of Os Gansos (The Geese).
Back in the top division after 83 years, Casa Pia have brought a well organised team with some standout individuals all fighting for exciting young manager Filipe Martins to the Primeira Liga this season.
After securing a place in the second division on a technicality two years ago “The Geese” (Os Gansos) have not looked back.
A lot can happen in 9 years. From winning the U17 World Cup, moving to the Premier League to play for Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Manchester City team, inevitably winning silverware for the Citizens, moving to Leicester City and being a mainstay in the world’s most high-profile league. For Kelechi Iheanacho a lot has happened in 9 years.
A lot happened to Saviour Godwin too in those 9 years. He was also part of Nigeria’s U17 World cup winning team, but Godwin’s path would not be as glamorous or successful as Iheanacho’s. How much of that was down to luck, circumstances, being in the right place at the right time is hard to say. What I can say, having watched Godwin closely several times this season, is that it certainly isn’t down to a lack of talent.
Sanjoanense beat CF Os Belenenses 3-2 in extra time at Estádio Conde Dias Garcia to reach the Taça de Portugal fourth round.
The hosts dominated the first half before Belenenses’ striker Pedro Martelo won and converted a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Sanjoanense's Nuno Barbosa equalised in the 82nd minute to take the game to extra time where Elijah Benedict took five minutes to put the São João da Madeira club into the lead.
There was more drama to come when Clé resotred parity from the penalty spot, but the home supporters were sent home happy after Joel Silva won the game with a spectacular strike.
