Hosting Portuguese giants Benfica is always a tall order for the Belenenses on Saturday, but the Primeira Division club’s challenge becomes much more difficult as they play with just nine men on the pitch.
A flurry of coronavirus cases decimated the Belenenses team in the build-up to the match.
They were severely weakened in Saturday’s clash, even picking up a reserve goalkeeper to fill in as a midfielder before being forced to end the game early just after half-time.
Why do Belenenses play with nine?
The club’s woes began last week, when one of their players with symptoms related to COVID-19 tested positive for the virus.
Further tests discovered a total of 17 cases, 13 among the players and another 4 in the team’s coaching staff.
The game continues to grow, despite the outrage of some Belenenses players, who issued a joint statement on social media.
O futebol so tem cor will continue to compete.
O futebol number stamp cor sever verdade Desortiva.
O futebol cor quando é um exelo de saúde pública.
Hoje, o futebol perdeu a cor. pic.twitter.com/ujjv5H5Ffp– Afonso Sousa (@afonso_sousa10) November 27, 2021
“Football only has a heart if it is competitive. Football only has a heart if it is really a sport,” the message read.
“Football only has a heart when it is an example for public health. Today, football has lost its heart.”
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A predictable outcome
It’s no surprise that with a two-man advantage and U23 goalkeeper Joao Monteiro playing in midfield, Benfica has left their opponents behind.
Eduardo Kau gave the visitors the lead in the first minute by overtaking his keeper, while Haris Seferovic doubled the advantage in the 13th minute.
Belenenses started the match against Benfica with only 9 players, including 2 goalkeepers
The Portuguese club have 17 players and staff tested positive for coronavirus. https://t.co/vQL3MAqimD
– GOAL (@goal) November 27, 2021
At halftime, Benfica had a 7-0 lead and at the start of the second half, the Belenenses decided to pause the game.
Three home players were withdrawn to leave six people on the field, thereby bringing a victory difference for Benfica.
Why is the game not paused?
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva was watching and, like many other observers, couldn’t believe the match had taken place.
“What is this? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the match is not postponed?” thinking midfielder on Twitter.
O que é isto? Does the brain perceber o porque run the brain ter sido adiado? 🏻♂️
– Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) November 27, 2021
However, before the match, Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares insisted that his side did not request a suspension and were in good condition to play.
“We have 38 players registered and we trust them all,” he said. “So the decision is with the health authorities.
“We will wait and we will respect their decision.”
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FIFA regulations allow a team to go out with a minimum of seven players, although if they go below that number the match is abandoned and the victory is awarded to the opponent, which is really what happened early in the second half.
The same goes for Ecuador’s Aucas, who in similar circumstances kicked off their April match against Barcelona with seven men, with the encounter being called off at half-time and who then won 3- 0.
