Torreense endured a chaotic afternoon five days before hosting Sunderland in the Europa League
Sunderland’s next European opponents Torreense suffered a dramatic 1-0 defeat after being reduced to nine men in a chaotic clash with Tondela.
Régis Le Bris’ side travel to Portugal on Thursday for their second Europa League league-phase fixture, with Torreense heading into the game on the back of a bruising domestic outing.
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Saturday’s Liga Portugal 2 contest remained goalless until the 100th minute, when Rodrigo Cascavel struck to secure all three points for Tondela. The game had earlier been stopped for around 10 minutes following a major confrontation near the touchline.
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Torreense winger Dany Jean kicked the ball towards the advertising boards in an area occupied by a ball boy, prompting an angry reaction from members of the Tondela bench. Torreense goalkeeper Adriel subsequently became involved in the confrontation and was shown a straight red card. Tondela substitute goalkeeper Lucas Cañizares was also dismissed following the incident.
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Things then got worse for Sunderland’s opponents when defender Mohamed Ali Diadié was sent off in the 74th minute, leaving Torreense with nine players. Tondela were themselves reduced to 10 in stoppage time when Richarllyson Alves was dismissed, before Cascavel finally broke Torreense’s resistance four minutes later.
The defeat left Torreense 15th in Portugal’s second tier with six points from seven league matches. Their European campaign has started considerably better, however, with Luís Tralhão’s side securing a historic 2-1 victory away to Lillestrøm in their first-ever Europa League fixture. Sunderland also have three points after beating AZ Alkmaar 1-0.
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