Emigrantes win earns 1st ever berth into Prestigious Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

By Carlos Amado
May 29, 2009

NELASA 09

(Sunday May 24) Local soccer favorites Emigrantes Das Ilhas traveled to Danbury, CT to play Danbury United for a chance to play in the Region I finals in Pennsylvania.  The Portuguese Cultural Center provided the setting for this critical match. It was a festive atmosphere in which Brockton supporters were clearly outnumbered, but the Emigrantes faithful made themselves heard.  Their initial enthusiasm was dampened though 5 minutes into the game, as DU’s Daniel Thomas put the home team ahead.  The early goal tested the resolve of the men from Brockton, who responded by creating several chances before half-time, but failing to capitalize.

To start the second half Emigrantes substituted Justin Fernandez and Aderito Pina in relief of Cassio Ribeiro and Carlos Amado.   Fernandez’s fresh legs and lightning speed proved to be too much for the Brazilians/Portuguese from Danbury.  In the 55th minute Emigrantes’ renewed energy delivered, through the reliable and always dangerous Zico Veiga.  On a pass from Fernandez, Veiga used his speed and agility to get past DU’s defense and struck a low rocket from outside the box to the bottom left corner, giving the keeper no chance. In the 78th minute Veiga would again show why he has been selected to represent Cabo Verde’s under-21 national team as well as the US Amateur national team, by scoring his second of the game.  He intercepted an errant pass by one of the DU defenders and his finishing was clinical.  The home crowd was stunned, while the Emigrantes faithful deliriously celebrated what appeared to be the game winner.  That celebration was short lived though as with time winding down the referee called a penalty kick after Fernandez appeared to have brought down a Danbury player inside the box. DU was able to capitalize on this advantage and tie the game. 

The game went into extra time and Emigrantes averted a possible game-changing penalty.  Aderito Pina appeared to have brought down a DU player from behind inside the box, but the referee waived play on.  Play continued with no score in the 1st overtime.  The 2nd overtime became a one man show by Denivaldo Da Silva (Dani), Emigrantes’ physically imposing and technically gifted forward.  Seven minutes into the second extra period, Dani received the ball from nearly midfield and moved into position, defied the best of the DU defense and smashed a thunderous shot into the top left corner.  Da Silva’s dominance continued as 5 minutes later he again made another tremendous run from midfield and fed Fernandez with just the keeper to beat. Fernandez easily put the ball home, redemption for the earlier regular-time penalty.  As overtime expired, the Emigrantes fans went wild as the home crowd looked on in disbelief.