Football on the Algarve
Portimonense Sporting Clube are the major football team in Portimão, a fishing port and former sardine canning center on the Algarve coast of southern Portugal.
Founded in 1914 by students returning from England, Portimonense S C are presently in the second division of Portuguese football, the Segunda Liga, but are hoping for a return to their glory days of the 1980's when the team were a presence in the top flight and even competed in the UEFA Cup in 1985-86. Portimonense, nicknamed Alvinegros, were last in the top flight in the 2009-2010 season.
The team is presently top of the Segunda Liga after 20 games with a good chance of promotion as they are four points clear of second-placed Aves and 14 points clear of third-placed Santa Clara.
Portimonense play in black and white stripes at the 9,500 capacity Estádio Municipal de Portimão, right in the center of the town. One stand at the ground is covered.
www.portimonense.pt
www.facebook.com/PortimonenseSC
Foreign Imports
The club has had several foreign players in recent years. These are usually Brazilian but the present squad (2022) also includes a number of Japanese players - Shoya Nakajima, Shuhei Kawasaki and Kosuke Nakamura. Previously, Keisuke Honda was about to sign for the club in 2021 but Portugal League regulations regarding signing free agents prevented the move. Fullback Koki Anzai made over 50 appearances for the club between 2019-2021 and played alongside goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda.
Hotels near the Stadium
Portimao is one of the Algarve's biggest towns, and there is a wide variety of accommodation options on the beach at Praia da Rocha. Here are some recommendations.
The Bela Vista Hotel & Spa - Relais & Chateaux, the Hotel Oriental - Adults Only, overlooking Praia da Rocha beach and the Club Amarilis just five minutes' walk from the wonderful Tres Castelos and Rocha beaches.
Across the Arade River in Ferragudo are the recommended One2Seven Apartments, Agua Hotels Riverside and the upmarket Casa Rei das Praias.
Football in Portugal
© Soccerphile.com