Torreense is in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup almost 70 years later. The West emblem had last managed to qualify for this stage of the competition in the 1955/1956 season (in May), but yesterday they repeated the feat and reached the penultimate level before Jamor. The stage of the big dream and where all clubs aspire to be at the start of each edition of the most beautiful competition on the national calendar. And it’s getting closer…
UD Leiria had also not been to the semi-finals since the 2002/2003 season — at that time, and under the command of Manuel Cajuda, the unionists beat Paços de Ferreira (1-0) and were then defeated (0-1) by FC Porto (by… José Mourinho), at the Estádio Nacional —, but it was not yet, 23 years later, that the Leiria residents gained new access to that level.
The person who stamped the passport, and with complete justice, was Torreense. The team (now) led by Luís Tralhão — the brother of João Tralhão, Mourinho’s assistant at Benfica, played his second game in front of the Torres Vedras team, after beating Vizela, 1-0, on the 17th round of League 2 — took the lead after just 11 minutes, through Kévin Zohi. The Malian international thanked Manu Pozo for his assistance (who had regained possession following a poor ball clearance from the Leirienses’ defensive stronghold) and shot to count.
The match was always intense and even before the break the equalizer emerged: Jordan van der Gaag passed the ball to Pablo Fernández and the Spanish striker only had to touch it.
Right at the start of the second half… once again the scorer was working: a brilliant cross from Javi Vazquez, on the left, and Kévin Zohi masquerading as a goalscorer for the double.
The duel remained highly interesting, with ball here and ball there, but when the visitors were desperately looking for a draw the final attack came. Quick transition from the home side and Musa Drammeh took the lead to 3-1.
The atmosphere in the stands was incredible — with lots of fans from both clubs — but in Torres Vedras… there is already Carnival in advance.
Man of the match: Kévin Zohi (Torreense)
A player who scores two goals in a knockout game, especially at such an advanced stage of the competition as was the case in these quarter-finals, must deserve any and all attention. But in addition to the goals he scored, the number 9 of the Torres Vedras team had other very important actions in the offensive process, namely holding the ball with his back to the goal.
A figura: Jordan van der Gaag (UD Leiria)
The Portuguese-Dutch’s left foot has a quality well above average and the unionists’ number 10 did not leave his credits in the hands of others on this trip to the West. To the technical attributes he also added a good dose of irreverence for the flank(s) and it was from a guided cross by Jordan that the visitors’ goal came about, scored, in the circumstance, by Pablo Fernández.
Notes from Torreense players:
Unai Pérez (6). Casses (-).
Notes from UD Leiria players:
Salvi Carrasco (5), Habib Sylla (5), Genaro Rodríguez (5), José Pedro (4), Maga (5), Jordan van der Gaag (6), Eboué Kouassi (5), Miguel Pires (5), Juan Muñoz (6), Pablo Fernández (6), Dieu Michel (5), Marc Baró (5), Lucho Vega (5), João Silva (5), Bernardo Gomes (5) and Victor Silva (-).
We were fair winners. We created more opportunities and ended up scoring three goals. We had the feeling that we could make history and put Torreense in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup for the first time this century, and for us it is a source of pride to be part of this history. I’m also proud to be playing my first home game for the Torreense first team. I won’t forget this night. I also want to say a word to the previous technical team, this victory is also for them and I’m sure they share our happiness. Prize draw? Honestly, I don’t have any kind of preference. We will have to prepare ourselves for this tie, which will test all our limits. Of course we won’t be the favorites, in principle, but we have our dream.
Congratulations to Torreense for reaching the semi-finals and thank you very much to the UD Leiria fans, who were our best player. They were at the level of what we managed to do in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, and as a result of some limitations we had, we paid a little for that bill. I really believed that it was a good opportunity for some players to give an answer, but I was somewhat disappointed. Torreense believed more than us and I’m sad because it was an excellent opportunity for us. League 2? We have a very big ambition and now have total focus on the championship. We want to reach the final rounds in a position that allows us to discuss the front spots.
