Sunday, May 10, 2009

Porto once again claims championship

The celebration in Porto has begun as the azuis e brancos defeated Nacional 1-0 in front of a packed Estádio do Dragão to secure the Liga crown. The remarkable challenge of continuing the dynasty has been reached as Porto claim its fourth successive championship, the last three under the brilliant leadership of Jesualdo Ferreira.

Os Dragões had their hands full as Manuel Machado's Nacional were determined and not willing to give up a morsel of space. Even the most ardent of supporters would agree that prior to the break the match was a buttoned-down affair with both sides unable to register a serious scoring threat. However two minutes after the break Porto won a corner to the right and as the resulting piece swung to the back post Lisandro López headed it back to the centre of the box with Bruno Alves nodding the ball in with precision. Nacional scratched and clawed it way back, with threatening assaults by Nenê and Bruno Patacas near the hour but each was turned back by Helton's brilliant handiwork.

As time ticked down the celebration commenced as once again Porto unfurled the banner as Champion.