The final whistle blew, marking not just a four-goal victory for AVS SAD but also the official end of their pre-season grind. It was a comfortable win, 4-0 against Aparecida, a team that scraps it out in the Campeonato de Portugal. The match happened this morning in Vila das Aves, feeling less like a desperate clash and more like a final dress rehearsal.
AVS SAD certainly set the pace from the get-go. Pedro Lima, their clever Brazilian playmaker, netted an early goal just five minutes in, a real wake-up call for everyone. Aparecida, to their credit, showed some flashes of daring. They pushed back a bit, especially while their legs were fresh. But as the clock ticked, AVS SAD kept almost all the ball and the attacking chances.
The scoreboard kept ticking over for the home side. Mercado calmly slotted home a penalty kick early in the second half, doubling the lead. Then, the seasoned veteran Nenê stepped up late in the game, converting another spot-kick for the third. Finally, in the dying moments, Mucuana popped up in the right place at the right time to tap in the fourth. It sealed a clear, dominant performance.
This friendly was also a big day for a couple of new faces. Goalkeeper João Gonçalves and Spanish forward Jordi Escobar made their first appearances for AVS SAD. They’re the newest additions, and their debut added a fresh buzz to the team’s lineup.
Coach José Mota, ever the strategist, used this low-tempo game to fine-tune his starting eleven. Even though it was a friendly, you could tell he was trying out combinations that might stick. Apart from the new guys, Gonçalves and Escobar, the rest of the team on the pitch looked very much like the one that will kick off their Liga Betclic campaign. That big day is just a week away, with an away trip to Arouca.
Here’s how AVS SAD lined up to start the match:
- João Gonçalves (Goalkeeper)
- Mucuana
- Aderllan Santos
- Devenish
- Kiki
- Jaime Grau
- Ángel Algobia
- Pedro Lima
- Tunde
- Jordi Escobar
- Mercado
Many other players got a run out too, keeping everyone sharp and ready. Those who joined the action from the bench included:
- Trigueira
- Rafael Barbosa
- Sangaré
- Gustavo Mendonça
- Nenê
- António Barbosa
- Tiago Galletto
- Talles
- Guilherme Neiva
- Bertelli
- Roux
- Molina
- Rivas
The goals broke down like this:
- 1-0 Pedro Lima (5th minute)
- 2-0 Mercado (50th minute, penalty)
- 3-0 Nenê (80th minute, penalty)
- 4-0 Mucuana (89th minute)
This final friendly has set the stage. AVS SAD looks primed and ready to dive headfirst into the new season.