Açorianos were a very pleasant surprise. They arrived at Primeira League 15 years after the last appearance and were the biggest underdogs for the season. However, they made it clear right from the start that they had a lot of quality in their ranks.
João Henriques presented a very balanced team, solid at the back and competent both in organized attack and counter-attack. They started as experts on winning away from home, but evolved into an all-round solid side capable challenging any opponent.
Fernando Andrade and Osama Rashid were the standouts for the first half of the season; however, the departure of the former to Porto and the long absence of the latter (international duty and injury) were barely felt.
That was mainly because João Henriques had good resources at his disposal. Kaio was a very solid anchor in midfield, Fábio Cardoso and Cesar Martins competent at the back and Patrick was a dynamo down the right flank.
With Thiago Santana injured for most part and Stephans' acute inability to score, Açorianos had in Schettine a great source of goals for the second part of the season. The Brazilian Bruno Lamas was always the brightest talent and the team’s source of creativity.
Maintaining the core of the squad should be enough for Santa Clara to keep the standards for next season, but that will be a tough challenge. Kaio already left and several others will surely be offered contracts elsewhere.
