FC Porto qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League – Hockey

The cup holder wins again at the Dragao Arena and eliminates the Italians from Lodi

FC Porto defeated Italian club Lodi (9-4) and qualified, on Thursday, for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

With a three-goal lead (4-1) in the first leg, the cup holders entered the Dragao Arena poorly and after 5 minutes they had already conceded a goal from Lorenzo Giovanetti.

But the reaction did not take long, as Helder Nunes and Rafa turned the score around (2-1), two minutes later.

Lodi did not give up and turned things around again and scored two more goals, but Porto continued to dominate the pace of the match, and Roberto Di Benedetto settled the tie (3-3) before the end of the first half.

The second half came and the match continued to be hectic, with Invicta coming out more aggressive: Carlo Di Benedetto scored twice and Telmo Pinto also scored for the hosts to make it 5-3.

Andrea Fantozzi pulled one back, but then in the first half of the second half, Goncalo Alves, Thomas Mina and Carlo Di Benedetto increased their goals and put an end to Transalpine's ambitions with an 8-4 run.

In the final stage, there was still time for Diogo Barata to score 9-4.

FC Porto are joined by Sporting and OK Barcelos in the quarter-finals, on May 11-12 at Pavilhão Rosa Mota, with a fourth team, Oliveriense or Treseno, still qualifying.

Written by Alexander Rees