Nun’Álvares is the first finalist of the Taça da Liga, having emerged as the victor in the 2021/22 edition. The Fafense team secured their return to the trophy decision this Saturday by defeating Futsal Feijó 4-0.
While the result may suggest a total mastery by the Constables, the game remained open until the final moments. Luís Silva’s team had more control in the first half but faced a strong response from their opponents in the second half.
Feijó even managed to make it 2-1, but the goal was disallowed in a highly controversial move that led to significant criticism of the refereeing team in the pavilion. Only in the final stretch did the runners-up in the Placard Women’s League manage to deliver the final blows to the newcomers’ aspirations.
A STRONG START
The first few minutes of the game were completely controlled by Nun’Álvares, who took charge and significantly limited the actions of their opponents. With more possession and the ability to exert high pressure that almost always resulted in instant recovery, Fafe’s team only lacked a goal.
The goal, however, came later, after six minutes, at a time when Futsal Feijó loosened up and tried to balance the game. Maria Odete Rocha took the initiative, creating an imbalance and sending the ball to the right wing for Bruna Franklin, who first watched Piskoto at the second post.
Throughout the first half, the best chances consistently belonged to Nun’Álvares. But the solidarity and defensive cohesion of the AF Setúbal team made life very difficult for the Minho team. Carolina Liliu, the standout player on the Setúbal side, tried to go against the tide in both halves of the field. Showcasing her composure with the ball in the offensive moment and her aggressiveness and range of action in defensive tasks. Despite her efforts, the scoreboard favored the Fafenses once again: Ana Azevedo anticipated Marta Sarroeira, launched a counterattack, and later found Mariana Marques to make it 2-0.
DESERVING A BETTER REWARD FOR THE REACTION
After a solid first half, albeit challenging in the offensive department, Feijó switched gears for the second half. More aggressive in the defensive moment and capable of reciprocating the high pressure exerted by Nun’Álvares in the first half, Diogo Patrica‘s players outperformed their opponents during the first ten minutes of the second half.
During this period, a controversial move unfolded in the 25th minute when Carolina Liliu isolated herself and took a shot, defended by Maria Odete Rocha. Following the move, the referee team signaled a corner kick in favor of Feijó, and the game continued. The team persisted and reached the goal with determination, as Beatriz Vicente finished at the far post, reigniting the match. However, Nun’Álvares requested a review of the move using video support, and the refereeing team reversed the decision, considering that Liliu was the last one to touch the ball, changing the decision to a throw-in in favor of the Minho team. The final decision sparked discontent in the pavilion, and doubts lingered as to whether or not the move could have been reviewed.
The game continued, and Nun’Álvares regained control in the last ten minutes, following Luís Silva’s request for a technical break to allow the team to regroup. This break also served to slow down the momentum of a clearly growing opponent. Gradually, the Constables once again took control of the meeting, and the final blows came from Tania Sousa (37′) and Cátia Morgado (38′), with the opponent already playing in an attacking 5×4+GR situation.
Nun’Álvares is the first team to advance to the final of the Taça da Liga, scheduled for 11 am this Sunday. The Fafenses await Novasemente.