Rio Ave and AVS draw 2-2, AVS relegation still loom

Wetin happen for Vila do Conde on Friday na serious gist wey concern Rio Ave and AVS for Primeira Liga matchday 30 opener. The game end 2-2, but the meaning for both teams no be the same at all.

Rio Ave, wey dey 11th for table, come into the match with better form. Dem don win four of their last five matches before this one. Coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos don manage turn things around after that bad run wey dem suffer from January reach February.

For the match itself, Olé Pohlmann open scoring for Rio Ave for 18th minute. Diogo Bezerra set am up and Pohlmann just drill the ball low from far distance. But AVS no gree. Tomané equalise for dem from close range after corner kick for 32nd minute.

The second half come bring more drama. Substitute Guilherme Neiva, wey just enter the game, cross the ball and Pedro Lima nod am to put AVS ahead for 68th minute. Rio Ave fans begin fear small, but Andreas Ntoi come save the day. The man smash in equaliser from another corner for 79th minute to make the score 2-2.

The goalkeepers for both sides do serious work. Adriel for AVS side make seven saves to keep his team for the game. For Rio Ave side, Cezary Miszta make five stops. AVS even register seven efforts on target from 13 attempts and win nine corners, but dem still no fit carry the three points.

This draw mean AVS relegation still dey loom. Dem remain 18th for table and 13 points adrift of Casa Pia wey dey occupy the playoff spot. Even if Joao Henriques side manage win their next match, their survival hopes still dey shaky if results for other matches no favour dem.

Rio Ave now dey on 34 points from 30 games played. Dem still need small points to surpass last season tally of 38 points and secure their top-flight status for another year. Their home form still dey give concern though – just three wins from 15 matches now.

For team news, Rio Ave come into the game with Brandon Aguilera as only confirmed absentee. Jalen Blesa, wey score five goals across his last four appearances before this match, return to starting lineup after being rested last weekend. Tamble Monteiro drop to bench.

AVS side get injury worries. Winger Tunde Akinsola dey major doubt after being forced off last weekend. If Akinsola no fit play, he go join Antoine Baroan for sidelines. Baroan still dey recover from injury wey he sustain for Taca de Portugal clash with Sporting earlier this year.

The head-to-head history between these two teams no too plenty. Across previous three meetings, AVS get one win, one draw and one defeat. Their only loss come from 2-1 reverse for December.

Now AVS go host Sporting CP for their next match while Rio Ave continue their push for safety. The fight for survival still dey on for Portuguese top flight.