The Ball – UD Leiria defeats Alverca and takes over Série 1 (Liga 3)

UD Leiria beat Alverca (3-1), in the match of the first round of Série 1 in the promotion stage to Liga 2, which took place in the late afternoon of Sunday, at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, in Leiria.

The first signs of great danger presented by Llerenses came after 7 minutes, when Jair Silva shot towards the opposing goal, but Ze Oliveira, the leader on the line, miraculously cut and prevented the Brazilian winger from scoring. After the move, Gonzalo Gregorio threw everything over the bar to score.

After the “threat”…the target. In the 17th minute, a cross from the left from Kaká and Gonzalo Gregorio hit the far post with an accurate header to make the score 1-0.

Alverca did not live up to expectations in the first 45 minutes, and entering the second half was more complicated for Rebatejo’s team: in the 49th minute, Talison brought down Ruan Jair Silva inside the area and the match referee, in addition to the signal. Penalty kick, Alverca central defender sent off – decisions validated by the VAR, a novelty at this stage of Liga 3 competition.

In converting the maximum penalty, Gonçalo did not forgive Gregório and increased Leiriense’s advantage.

And in the 61st minute, the victory of the team coached by Vasco Botelho da Costa was judged: a corner kick was taken by Leandro Silva on the left side, and Jorge Bernardo, dissatisfied, put the ball into his own net. The score was 3-0.

The best Alverca could do was reduce the damage, with Marcos Silva, in the 81st minute, with a powerful shot, from the first time, with a wonderful goal.

With this victory, UD Leiria secured its first three points in this series 1, and rose to the top of the competition, on a par with Felgueiras (who beat SC Braga, 2-0).

In the next round, UD Leiria will travel to the stronghold of SC Braga B (Sunday, at 6 pm), while Alverca will play again, this time at Stade Felgueiras (also next Sunday, but at 4 pm).