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Inter Cities Fair Cup, First Round – 1st Leg

Teams as listed:

PORTO
  • Americo
  • Valdemar
  • Atraca
  • Almeida
  • Rolando
  • Mario
  • Gomes
  • Pinto
  • Djalma
  • Manuel Antonio
  • Malgueta

GOALS

Bob Shankly’s Page

It makes pleasant reading to study the League table these days with Hibs and Rangers the only two clubs to take full points from the two matches.

But these are early days and it will be some weeks before the teams sort themselves out. Nevertheless, the players are determined to retain their lofty position.

Hibs were never extended in beating Raith Rovers 3-0 last week. The game was well in hand by half time and the players were able to keep something in reserve for tonights big game against Porto.

The fitness of Bobby Duncan and Pat Stanton has given a little cause for concern since the weekend, but I hope both defenders are able to turn out.

And I am looking to the fans to give the team plenty of vocal support, especially new signing Alex Scott, who joined us from Everton on Monday.

I offer a hearty welcome to Porto’s players and officials and, judging from the standard of Portugal’ national team, we expect a hard game. Their early season results have been good, and we shall need a worthwhile lead to take there in a fortnight’s time.

Consistent Porto

FC Porto, founded in 1906, have a tremendous record of consistency in Portuguese football in the past 12 years. In that time they have been champions twice, runners up on six occasions; third in three title hunts, and fourth only once.

And in two of those years they were just pipped for the League honour; once by a solitary point and another time on goal average.

They have been one of Portugal’s big three for many years, along with Benfica and Sporting, and they have been the tpride in the north in the constant battle against Lisbon domination.

Last season Porto had to settle for third place in the table, but they had as good a record as champion benfica after the first two months.

The lost three of their first eight games and seemed to drop right out of the championship running . But in their remaining 18 matches, Porto were beaten once and they were four points behind benfica at the final count.

Porto scored 56 goals to average two per game and conceded 22 in their 26 outings.

Porto’s last champion ship triumph was in season 1958-59. Previously they had been Portugal’s number one team in 1922,1925,1932,1935,1939,1940 and 1956. in the Portuguese Cup, they were the winners in 1956 and again n 1958. Last season they were eliminated in the semi final.

They play at the Estadio das Antas which has accomdation for 40,000 specators and they have a smaller ground called the Campo da Constituicao where the playes practice and where the juniors play.

Through the years Porto have claimed many notable victories against foreign sides.

They have a 5-2 victory over Real Madrid to their credit and Vasco da Gama have lost twice in Porto. America (Brazil) were other victims, but in their 60th anniverary game last season, Athletico Madrid defeated them 3-0.

Like most continental teams, Porto cater for many other sports and have 30,000 members. They have handball, athletics, basketball, badminton, cycling, gymnastics, boxing, rugby, tennis, volleyball, etc.

World Cup Ref. From Belfast

Tonights referee is 40 year old Jack Adair, an office worker in a Belfast Ship Building Firm.

Jack played for Cliftonville and Bangor before he took to refereeing 15 years ago, and he reached the pinnacle last year when he was one of the World Cup referees. He landed the Russia Chile game in the North of England group. and this was one of several international honours to come his way.

Our Irish visitor has been in charge of matches in Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Scotland and Portugal.

He was sent to do a game in involving the Braga club and stayed in Porto before the match.

Away Goals Count Double

Since Hibs last appearance in the inter cities fairs cup competition, the rules have changed to eliminate, if possible, the necessity for deciding matches.

Following the example set by the European union in the Cup Winners Cup, the Fairs Cup committee have adopted the system of away goals counting double in the event of a tie on aggregate after two games.

This rule is for the benefit of the spectators, because it helps to wipe out negative, defensive tactics by visiting teams, who might be content to play for a goalless draw.

However, Hibs will try to make sure that they don’t have to depend on away goals to qualify for the next round.

Eighth time in Europe

Porto have taken part in all three European competitions – the Champions Cup, Cup Winners Cup and Fairs Cup, and this will be the eighth time they have participated in one of these tournaments.

They made their debut in the European Cup in 1956-57, and lasted one round. They were beaten by Athletic Bilbao, who had two goals to spare. Three years later they were defeated at the same stage by Red Star (Czechoslovakia)

They fared a little better in the Cup Winners Cup in 1964-65. They dismissed Lyons (France)without any trouble before being narrowly beaten by Munich 1860.

Their first try at the Fairs Cup was in in 1962-63 when they had the misfortune to meet Zagreb Dynamo. Their luck was out the following year, too, for they were scuttled by Athletico Madrid.

Two seasons ago they edged out Stade Francais in the first round and managed to beat their German rivals, Hanover, at home. However, they were well beaten away and put out.

Last season their conquerors were Girondins (Bordeaux) who won on the toss of a coin.

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