Gil Vicente suffered a 4-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Europa Conference League play-offs. Gilistas led 1-0 with 15 minutes to go before a late capitulation all but ended their chances in the draw.

Dani de Wit’s firm header gave AZ a deserved half-time lead with Mayckel Lahdo, Vangelis Pavlidis and Mees de Wit completing the rout late.

Ivo Vieira’s side never seemed to score in the Netherlands and have virtually no chance of overturning the deficit at Barcelos next week.

One-way traffic

AZ Alkmaar established their dominance early on, with the Dutch club continually probing in and around Gil Vicente’s box.

Gil Vicente’s rare forays into the final third frequently resulted in failures, with the AZ defenders effortlessly coping with the danger posed by Ali Alipour and Elder Santana.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, with Milos Kerkez’s measured cross finding Dani de Wit who got in front of Henrique Gomes and powered his header into the net.

AZ seemed happy to let the Portuguese club have the ball as there was simply no penetration. Danilo Veiga was advancing but his passes were often wide of the target or found teammates who couldn’t control the ball.

The game heated up at half-time, with Kerkez’s late challenge on Kanya Fujimoto seeing the left-back booked alongside Sam Beukema and Henrique Gomes.

Gil Vicente holds on

Gil Vicente continued to feed on leftovers in the second half with Giorgi Aburjania’s free kick going over the bar.

Myron van Brederode proved to be a real handful on the left wing, dominating Viega and forcing Aburjania into a booking for stopping the 19-year-old winger from clearing.

AZ started to put the pressure on, with Tijjani Reijnders playing a nice 1-2 with Dani de Wit which forced a smart save from Andrew.

Ivo Vieira tried to turn things around in the 61st minute with Matheus Bueno and Kevin Villodres introduced for Aburjania and Santana.

Gil Vicente seemed content to have men behind the ball and preserve the one-goal disadvantage, a dangerous tactic with AZ smelling blood in the water and the crowd starting to ignite.

Pascal Jansen made his first two substitutions in the 72nd minute when Milos Kerkez and Myron van Brederode made way for Mees de Wit and Mayckel Lahdo.

Vangelis Pavlidis saw a shot saved from close range after a shocking turnover from Bueno, but the Dutch didn’t have to wait long for another chance to double their advantage.

Late attack

The goal came in the 78th minute, Hakon Evjen’s dangerous cross clearing the post from Lucas Cunha who had replaced Tomás Araújo less than 60 seconds earlier, the ball falling directly to Lahdo who made no mistakes from close range .

Andrew came off his line to take the ball from Pavlidis a yard inside his penalty area, but the Greek striker would not be denied. Viega’s poor pass was picked up by Reijnders, he fed Pavlidis who burst into the box and got inside two defenders before shooting past the Brazilian keeper.

If 3-0 wasn’t enough, Gil Vicente’s capitulation was complete in the 89th minute when the draw was put out of reach. A 1-2 routine between Reijnders and Yukinari Sugawara saw Sugawara’s cross find an unmarked Mees de Wit at the far post.

Disappointment for Ivo Vieira

Ivo Vieira gave three players their first starts of the season; Tomás Araújo, Giorgi Aburjania and Elder Santana. Araújo and Santana were making their first appearances, Aburjania previously playing 22 minutes on the bench in the return leg against Riga.

The lack of cohesion was evident throughout but regardless, Vieira and his team would have been content to come back to Barcelos trailing 1-0 in the draw. It will be difficult to convince his team that they can overturn the 4-0 deficit at Barcelos.

In the end, AZ’s 4-0 victory is not so surprising. The Dutch club finished last season with a 6-1 win over Vitesse and crushed Dundee United 7-0 in their previous game at Alkmaar.

By Matthew Marshall

Villarreal achieved several firsts tonight as they cruised to a 4-2 win over Hadjuk Split.

The Estadio de la Ceramica is currently undergoing renovations and as a result Villarreal play Valencia at Levante’s Ciutat de Valencia stadium until the end of the year.

Things started well in their first-ever Europa Conference League draw, as Jose Luis Morales scored his first two goals for his new club. Stipe Biuk had given Hadjuk the lead within two minutes but Morales’ equalizer and Marko Livaja’s own goal had the Yellow Submarine ahead. El Comandante added another before assisting Gerard Moreno to score his fourth before half-time.

The bueno of @jose1987morales regatea hasta a las cameras 🤣.

¡MENUDO CHICHARRO COMMANDER 💛! #UECL pic.twitter.com/24mxDHZ4YR

— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) August 18, 2022

A late penalty from Marco Fossati closed the gap and means Villarreal will be a little less comfortable than they would have liked for their second leg in Split.

A returning Pepe Reina also made his second debut for the club, 20 years after his first stint. Villarreal were in charge for most of the game but Unai Emery was not happy to concede twice in a sloppy start and a sloppy end.

It was May 2021 and West Ham United had clinched a top-six berth when privately David Moyes admitted qualification for Europe was not enough for him. He had wanted sixth place to send West Ham to the Europa League, not the Conference League.

For much of an inspired run in the second continental competition, it seemed like a route to the Champions League. Even after their bad-tempered exit to Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals, the Europa League beckoned again. A goal clear at half-time on the final day at Brighton, they were heading for sixth place. A second-half collapse dropped them to seventh. A year later, West Ham made their debut in the Conference League.

Their manager’s attitude has changed, perhaps out of necessity. “It’s an absolutely fantastic thing,” Moyes said on Sunday. “We finished seventh in the league last year and you talk, ‘Is Europe any good?’ My God, I don’t know how many teams in the leagues would shake your hand and say, ‘Please give us European football.’

It’s a valid point, and for years West Ham would have been one of those clubs that looked on with envy. The gap between ambition and reality has sometimes been huge. They hadn’t had a great European run in four decades until last year; Moyes’ reinvention of the club that has long been flattered to deceive should make them more regular occurrences. He is a specialist in steering a path to positions between fifth and eighth – in contrast West Ham had failed to finish in the top seven in a row until his reappointment – ​​and a club which hosted 62,443 fans at its first home game of the season has the kind of infrastructure to suggest that their participation in Europe shouldn’t be a one-off.

Moyes is synonymous with consistency and relentlessness, while West Ham have tended to follow good seasons with bad ones. The downside to the Scot’s record is that it still doesn’t include any trophies except for a Second Division title with Preston and a Community Shield which Manchester United were only on the line because Sir Alex Ferguson had won the Premier League.

The Conference League offers the opportunity to remedy this. Certainly, West Ham are starting a play-off against Viborg, who finished seventh in the Danish Superliga last year, supposed to win, and not just on Thursday. They must be among the favorites in the competition, along with Fiorentina and Villarreal, but with the caveat that it can be won by a side starting the season in the Europa League.

West Ham start with a trio of suspensions, each of which should be cause for embarrassment. Aaron Cresswell’s red card against Frankfurt bore some similarities to his dismissal against Lyon, suggesting he had learned no lessons. Moyes was sent to the stands for throwing the ball at a ball boy. Declan Rice has a two-match ban for accusing the referee of bribery; he may want to check the definition of the word. If there’s a flattering slant to the actions of Moyes and Rice, they showed just how much winning the Europa League means to West Ham.

Now, any victory can be welcome. Their Premier League campaign began with back-to-back defeats. The expectation of a first goal has increased which, as their last four pre-season games have produced just three, indicates that the problems may go beyond simply facing Manchester City and do everything but score as a visit to Nottingham Forest included a missed penalty, a goal-line clearance, an unauthorized strike and a few brushes against the woodwork.

This should provide a chance to give Moyes’ two attacking additions a first start. Gianluca Scamacca made two appearances as a substitute and West Ham’s progress in Europe last year meant Michail Antonio was overworked and his goalscoring dried up. Maxwel Cornet made his Nottingham debut.

The former Lyon winger scored four Champions League goals against Manchester City and Moyes’ summer deals show he intends to build a squad big enough to compete on multiple fronts and with plenty of European pedigree. One target, Emerson Palmieri, was a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, albeit as an unused substitute in the final, and scored in a knockout victory over Atletico Madrid; Moyes’ new signing, Thilo Kehrer, played in the 2020 final for Paris Saint-Germain.

Each might seem like a sign of ambition, or the sort of signing West Ham used to make back in the days when they bought the rejects of the biggest clubs and signed players from the bottom up. Moyes has largely succeeded in reinventing West Ham, in forging a work ethic, in finding players who share his determination. Former Hammers sides have spoken of a number of ignominious European exits. The latter secured memorable victories against Sevilla and Lyon last season. But if such fond memories are to be created, West Ham must first avoid going back to type, avoid upheaval and ensure that, for only the second time since 1981, they play in Europe after Christmas.

Vitória de Guimarães’ Europa Conference League campaign ended despite beating Hajduk Split 1-0 in the third qualifying round second leg.

Anderson Silva gave the Portuguese club an early lead but they were unable to make up their minds after pressing for most of the match.

Os Conquistadores competed well but Moreno Teixeira’s side showed they were a work in progress, especially their forwards who will need a lot more time to work on their combination game.

Portugal Matthew Marshall reports from the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques.

Perfect start in Portugal

Vitória came out of the blocks and took the lead in the 5th minute. Ryoya Ogawa’s cross found Anderson Silva, he was not shut down and unleashed a left-footed volley which Lovre Kalinić could not prevent from entering the top corner.

The crowd in Guimarães was going wild as their team continued to press on, with Ogawa frequently bombarding the left wing.

Hajduk looked like a shadow of the team that dominated the first leg in Croatia and had to wait until the 23rd minute for his first chance.

Emir Sahiti’s defensive pass saw David Čolina run for the ball and lift it over Bruno Varela on the roof of the net, Čolina with another chance minutes later as he headed for the bar.

Anderson Silva eyed wide a header after a clever free-kick routine, but chances proved hard to come by. Vitória wingers Rúben Lameiras and Antonio Cortés could not get involved in the match.

The first signs of hostility appeared at half-time after Varela tried to take off a seemingly injured Sahiti. Guimarães goalkeeper Tiago Silva and Josip Vuković have been cautioned.

Jota tries to provide a spark

Jota Silva replaced Cortés at the break and immediately provided more threat on the outside. Anderson Silva’s shot was deflected wide before Matheus Índio almost reached the end of Tiago Silva’s corner.

Hajduk Split’s intentions were clear, often wasting time and just waiting for counter-attacking opportunities.

Moreno Teixeira made two substitutions in the 69th minute with Nicolas Janvier and André Silva replacing Matheus Índio and Anderson Silva. They left themselves exposed, however, as Stipe Biuk’s cross came close to picking top scorer Marko Livaja.

All the ball but no action

Guimarães continued to enjoy plenty of the ball in the attacking third but failed to create chances. Sometimes it seemed like they were on a whole different wavelength.

The mood at the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques changed dramatically in the 77th minute when Tiago Silva received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Filip Krovinovic.

Ogawa made way for Nélson Luz who provided another threat on the outside. Lameiras fired straight at Kalinić and Jota flew over the bar, Moreno’s final roll of the dice bringing in Mikel Villanueva for Maga and launching André Amaro ahead.

Guimarães created corners in injury time, but they didn’t, Croatia’s 3-1 deficit in the first leg was too much to overcome.

Worst Behavior Portugal

Hajduk Split’s tactics, especially in the second half, were clearly boring and frustrating for home support, but once again we saw ‘supporters’ in Portuguese football stadiums crossing the line.

It started with the same group of ultras that violently clashed with riot police in the first leg against Puskás Akadémia. Hajduk was unable to take a corner in the closing stages due to plastic seats being thrown onto the pitch.

The “fans” were only hurting their team’s chances by wasting valuable time. There was an ugly scrum between players and support staff after the final whistle, largely instigated by Hajduk Split, with the siege throwing continuing across the pitch as the visitors tried to reach the locker room.

line up

Vitoria de Guimaraes (4-3-3): Bruno Varela – Miguel Maga (Mikel Villanueva 89′), André Amaro, Abdul Mumin, Ryoya Ogawa (Nélson Luz 81′) – André Almeida, Matheus Índio (Nicolas Janvier 69′), Tiago Silva – Antoñín Cortés (Jota Silva 46′) , Anderson Silva (André Silva 69′), Ruben Lameiras

Substitutes not used: Celton Biai, Hélder Sá, Afonso Freitas, Ibrahima Bamba, Dani Silva, Pedro Oliveira

The Head Coach: Moreno Teixeira / Joao Aroso

Goals:

[1-0] – Anderson Silva 5′

Gil Vicente’s European debut ended in a 1-1 draw against Riga in the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round first leg.

The Latvian club deserved their half-time lead after Douglas Aurélio’s opener, but the second half was a different story.

Gilistas dominated after the break, Juan Manuel Boselli equalizing with a brilliant goal before Ali Alipour missed a glorious chance to claim victory in the 90th minute.

PortugalGOAL’s Matthew Marshall details a promising performance by the Portuguese club in Latvia.

Riga tries its luck

Gil Vicente has started well in Latvia with Mizuki Arai looking sharp on the left wing. Riga was making its own inroads down the same avenue, repeatedly targeting Danilo Veiga.

The first goal came in an easy way in the 17th minute. Mikael Soisalo found himself in the free space on the right wing, Henrique Gomes imitating a shadow as Soisalo’s cross was met by Douglas Aurélio who executed a simple finish.

Raivis Jurkovskis shot narrowly from distance with Riga’s high pressure, which made it difficult for Gil Vicente to promote the ball into the attacking areas.

Juan Manuel Boselli had the last chance in the first half, trying his luck from long range with the ball passing over the bar.

Tale of two halves

Whatever Ivo Vieira said to his side at half-time, Gil Vicente started with intent, dominating possession and playing the game in Riga’s half. Lucas Cunha’s luscious long ball picked off Fran Navarro who flew wide.

Andrew was on hand to save a close range effort from Marcelo Torres but the action quickly returned at the other end, Boselli’s free-kick deflected over the bar.

Vieira made a double change in the 60th minute, with ineffectual Pedro Tiba replaced by Matheus Bueno in midfield and winger Arai making way for Kevin Villodres.

Gilistas continued to press for an equalizer which deservedly came three minutes later. Bueno picked Boselli from outside the penalty area, his sublime first touch setting up a volley which the Uruguayan winger slammed into the top corner. First class.

POTÊNCIA MAXIMA 🥵 QUE GOLAÇO 🥵#sporttvportugal #CONFERENCEnaSPORTTV #conferenceleague #ucl #gilvicentefc #gilvicente #riga pic.twitter.com/vVusg3mEKf

— SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) August 3, 2022

Navarro’s shot from a tight angle was stopped by Nils Puriņš before the Spanish striker made way for Ali Alipour.

Riga had a half chance in the 84th minute, Ngonda Muzinga’s cross met Yuri Kendysh who was unable to direct his header on target.

Boselli tried his luck from distance before Gil Vicente missed a glorious chance to seal it to death. Vitor Carvalho released Alipour who had only Puriņš to beat, the Iranian striker failing to do so as the Riga keeper deflected the ball away.

Promising start

The game in Latvia was an important moment for Gil Vicente, his first game in European competition after finishing fifth in the Primeira Liga last season.

With manager Ricardo Soares joining El Ahly and three influential players leaving the club in Zé Carlos, Pedrinho and Samuel Lino, it was important that Ivo Vieira and his new club got off to a promising start.

There wasn’t much to be optimistic about at half time but Vieira’s team talk at half time did the trick as Gilistas dominated the second half, deservedly equalized and were a hair’s breadth away from taking the three points.

Riga manager Sandro Perković made two injury-time substitutions with his side under the pump, a clear indication that he was finally content to avoid defeat.

There should be a big turnout in the second leg at Barcelos’ Estádio Cidade next week, where Gil Vicente will relish his chances of finishing the job and advancing to the play-off round.

Brilliance Boselli

Juan Manuel Boselli was used sparingly by Pako Ayestarán last season. Scoring in his first two Primeira Liga appearances for Tondela, he scored three more in La Liga and scored three goals in six appearances in the Taça De Portugal where they reached the final.

His lack of playing time highlights the incompetence of Pako Ayestarán, a manager who won’t be returning to the Primeira Liga anytime soon.

To further underline the turmoil in Tondela, Boselli was sold to Gil Vicente for a fee of just €50,000. It seems like a stellar deal from the Gilistas, with the 22-year-old playing a starring role in Latvia and capping it off with a goal to remember.

line up

Gilles Vicente (4-3-3): Andrew – Danilo Veiga, Lucas Cunha, Rúben Fernandes, Henrique Gomes – Pedro Tiba (Matheus Bueno 60′), Vitor Carvalho, Kanya Fujimoto – Juan Manuel Boselli, Fran Navarro (Ali Alipour 81′), Mizuki Arai (Kevin Villodres 60′)

Substitutes not used: Brian Araújo, Tomás Araújo, João Barros, Emmanuel Hackman, Giorgi Aburjania, Boubacar Hanne

The Head Coach: Ivo Viera

Goals:

[1-0] – Douglas Aurelio 17′

[1-1] – Juan Manuel Boselli 63′