DILI, 19 July 2025 (TATOLI) — A late goal from Guilherme Sousa in the 85th minute secured a narrow 1–0 win for Portugal over hosts Timor-Leste in the opening match of the CPLP Games on Saturday, at Dili Municipal Stadium.
The goal came after a costly defensive error by Timorese defender Jeremias, whose foul in a dangerous area allowed Portugal to break the deadlock. Many described the error as avoidable, especially so close to full time.
Portugal dominated possession and created several clear-cut chances throughout the match, testing Timor-Leste’s defense with multiple shots on target. Despite being under pressure, Timor-Leste’s U-16 team defended well and launched a few promising counterattacks, but failed to convert them into goals.
Although Portugal entered the match as favorites, Timor-Leste held firm for most of the game and showed commendable effort and discipline until the decisive goal.
Timor-Leste will face Cabo Verde in their second match on Monday at 7 p.m. local time, with thousands of home fans expected to pack the stadium once again.
This tournament marks the first time Timor-Leste is hosting a major multi-nation sporting event—providing valuable experience and exposure for the young U-16 squad as they develop their mental strength and technical skills.
Portuguese striker Gonçalo Guerreiro shared his excitement about playing in Timor-Leste: “It’s an inexplicable feeling to play in a country on the other side of the world.”
“It was a difficult match against a strong and aggressive team that had incredible support from the crowd. The stadium atmosphere was fantastic,” he told RTTL after the match.
Reflecting on the game, Guerreiro said Portugal could have done more in attack: “We lacked finishing precision, but it’s just our first match. We’ll focus on the next two games. Our goal is always to score more, but taking the three points is what matters.”
Meanwhile, Timorese defender Germano Júnior admitted that the late mistake was costly but vowed to bounce back: “It was a tough loss in front of our home crowd, but we’ll give everything and work harder to help the team get a win against Cabo Verde.”
TATOLI
