Portugal take early initiative
Monday, May 3, 2010
Article summary
Portugal 3-1 Romania
Sérgio Oliveira, Nélson Oliveira and Alexandre Freitas scored as Portugal got off to a winning start to the elite round.
Article top media content
Article body
Two early goals helped Portugal take an initial stanglehold on UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round Group 2 with a comfortable victory against Romania.
A low shot in off the post by Sérgio Oliveira and Nélson Oliveira's looping header from an Alexandre Freitas cross put Ilídio Vale's team in control before a frantic opening ten minutes was capped by an audacious effort from Cosmin Gabriel Matei. Standing in the centre circle ready to restart the game, the midfielder lobbed Portugal goalkeeper Tiago Maia with the aid of the crossbar.
Freitas restored Portugal's two-goal lead midway through the second half with a free-kick, giving his team an early lead on goal difference ahead of Greece, 1-0 victors against Hungary. Only the expertise of Romania goalkeper George Alin Bucuroiu, who denied Ricardo Dias and Cédric Soares late on, prevented Portugal from increasing their margin of victory.
