It has only been a few years n in which we first heard of this second team from the Aveiro district named FC Arouca. Within the 7 years (2006 on), FC Arouca was promoted four times and finally reached the top flight in Portuguese football in the 2012/13 season. In what the locals are calling for as the most important day in the club's history (other then their promotion) FC Arouca did the unthinkable and take over the top spot in the Liga NOS by defeating the biggest club in Portugal SL Benfica.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
SL Benfica allowed their first and only goal earlier on in the 3' of the match as FC Arouca striker Roberto was able to get by winger Nelson Semedo and goalie Julio Cesar. Some say it was nerves, others just a bad mistake, Benfica began trailing to a primarily Benfica influenced crowd at The Estadio Municipal De Aveiro. Although the Eagles looked terrible within the first 10 minutes they began pressing on ending the half with most of the ball possession and some 15 shots on net.
Sl Benfica continued their momentum at the start at the second half in which we consistently saw failed attempts and finishes at set pieces, and a failure to score as FC Arouca most definetly was the man of the match stopping anything and everything that SL Benfica threw their way.
We saw Rui Vitoria make his first sub at the start of the second as Ola John was subbed off for Victor Andrade. A decision that some felt should of occurred at the start of the game. Benfiquistas saw the debut of Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez in the 68' as he came on for Eliseu in the 68". Shortly after Benfica's final sub came in the 74' in which Samaris was taken off for our new signing Raul Jimenez. At this point Benfica had five potential forwards and also Nico Gaitan and Pizzi with Luisao, Lisandro Lopez, and Semedo covering the back line. FC Arouca had parked the bus and more importantly had a brick wall of a goal keeper that no one can surpass.
Finally, in the 90+5" Jonas was able to equalize the game in a goal which was disallowed by referee Nuno Almeida. Many fans were outraged as there was no reasoning to the ref\s decision to disallow this goal. There was no offside or foul. FC Arouca finish week 2 of Liga NOS in first place undefeated with two consecutive shout out performances by Rafael Bracali.
SL Benfica host Moreirense in Matchday #3 on Saturday August 29, 2015
Match Statistics
Match Highlights
Rui Vitoria Press
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