The football season often throws curveballs. For Estoril coach Ian Cathro, a rescheduled match brings a fresh challenge this week. But don’t expect any panic from the Scottish manager. He made it clear on Friday that his team is ready, despite the unusual timing.
“We had a normal training week,” Cathro told reporters. “We knew this date was coming. We are prepared to play just like any other game.” He brushed aside any talk about the controversy surrounding the match date. “All that has already been said. We didn’t let those feelings affect us this week. We will play with our fans’ energy and support.” His goal is simple: “We want to win and play a complete game. Winning every minute gets us closer to victory.”
The delayed game, part of the third round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, falls during an international break. This means Estoril will miss some players who are with their national teams. But Cathro isn’t complaining. He sees it as a chance for others to shine.
“Some players aren’t available,” Cathro explained. “This opens doors for others. It lets the whole squad show the quality of work they put in daily. We are almost a special group. We need to build on that with everyone. We need every player to make Estoril unique.”
Facing a Familiar Foe
Estoril will face Santa Clara, a team from the Azores. Cathro, now in his second season leading Estoril, highlighted their opponent’s stability. He noted that Santa Clara’s coach, Vasco Matos, has been with the island team for over two years.
“They’ve been together for more than two years now,” Cathro said of Santa Clara. “That helps a lot with routines and how the staff and players communicate. They are a well-built team with good players. They have speed and move well when attacking. We will play a strong opponent.” He added, “I believe we are getting better every day. But we still need more consistency for the future.”
Estoril has started the season with two points from three games. They’ve drawn twice and haven’t secured a win yet. Still, Cathro insists there’s no pressure within the team.
“Both teams know how to win football games,” he stated. “On our side, we will work every day to improve. Over 34 games, we are sure we will win many times.” His message was clear: “We have a lot of confidence in our work. There is no panic or drama here.”
Estoril Praia will host Santa Clara on Saturday at 8:30 PM. The game takes place at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota. Miguel Nogueira, from the Lisbon association, will referee the match.