Nigeria international Mikel Agu and his Vitoria Setubal teammates were showered with praises by manager Lito Vidigal after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Os Armacenenses saw them progressing to the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal on Sunday at the Estadio Municipal Bela Vista, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
It was a third straight start for Agu who joined Setubal on loan on transfer deadline day and he played all 90 minutes as he gradually integrates himself into the team.
Valdu Te gave the visiting Setubal the opener on 19 minutes but third division side Armacenenses drew level with Marcio Meira’s 50th minute penalty. Alex restored the lead on 66 minutes and the top-flight side went on to win the game in regulation time.
A visibly elated Vidigal praised the efforts of his side despite the questionable calls from the referee.
He said: “The most important thing was not the game we played with Armacenenses, it was me talking to my players and saying that we would have to be focused on our tasks and the opponent and completely ignore the referee – not even talk to him. Leave him to do his job and be only focused on ours.
“I want to thank the supporters for accompanying the team enmasse, they brought positive energy to the team, even when they picked on the referee in the beginning, but then they were once more focused on the game and supporting the team.”
Vidigal admitted that the opposition was tough but claimed the result did not reflect the effort of his players who continuously attacked their opponents throughout the game.
“It was a very hard game against an opponent with quality but my players were extremely mature in the management of the game and with quality. The result is fair but it does not reflect the offensive avalanche we had, we were stronger and we had more opportunities. But it was also fair to have been open to the end,” he told reporters after the game.
Setubal are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions and the Green and Whites will be back in action in the Primeira Liga where they next face CD Tondela next Sunday.