Marcu 09 claimed a narrow victory over Paços de Ferreira, winning 2:1 in the opening round of Liga 3's regular season on Sunday. The hosts took an early lead through Ka's goal in the fortieth minute before Platiny extended the advantage shortly after the break. Paços de Ferreira responded with a penalty from L. Garro in the fifty-sixth minute, but the visitors could not find an equaliser and the match ended with Marcu 09 taking all three points.
The game settled into a rhythm that suited the home side, who controlled the tempo without dominating possession. Ka's opening goal came from open play, and Platiny doubled the lead six minutes after the restart. The visitors pulled one back from the spot when L. Garro converted his penalty, and for a while it looked as though they might rescue a point. But Marcu 09 kept their heads and saw out the remainder of the contest.
The decisive moment arrived near the end when B. Traore was shown a red card in the ninety-seventh minute. The dismissal shifted the balance completely, and Paços de Ferreira had to chase the game with ten men. Marcu 09 managed the situation well, and the visitors were unable to mount a serious threat after the sending-off. By then the result was already well in hand.
Statistics tell a story of a closely contested affair. Marcu 09 had 48 per cent possession compared to their opponents' 52, but they were more clinical in front of goal with four shots on target. The hosts registered nine attacks and three corners, while Paços de Ferreira managed five corners and ninety-eight attacks. The visitors had slightly more off target attempts, but Marcu 09's efficiency made the difference.
The victory moves Marcu 09 up to fourth place in the table with seven points from four games. Paços de Ferreira remain in tenth position on just one point, having lost three of their four matches this season. The result puts the hosts in a solid position as the campaign gets underway, while the visitors face a challenging run ahead.