As the 2015 Algarve Cup Quarter-Finals were about to get underway we were down to the elite 8 teams in the tournament with England and Portugal each represented 4 times.

We started on Pitch A with Water Boy versus Drunken DisAudley. Water Boy had come close on a number of occasions in their search for the Algarve Open title. In 2011 and 2012 they reached the Cup Semi-Finals and, following a Plate victory in 2013, were Cup Runners-Up in 2014. Could 2015 be their year?

Drunken DisAudley were on debut and in unchartered territory but had shown their aptitude at this level by announcing themselves in the tournament in the very first game with a fine win over a previous 2-times champion. Since then results had been up and down with a further 2 wins and 2 defeats. Now would be a great time to put in one of those match-winning performances.

Drunken DisAudley would need it as Water Boy remained unbeaten and conceded just the one goal thus far today. The Portuguese defence was to prove fairly resolute again as they maintained a clean sheet by half-time. At the other end Joao Mendonca put Water Boy ahead.

After the break 1-0 became 2-0 when Mendonca scored again. Mario Garvao essentially made it game over at 3-0 before Bernardo Agostinho put the icing on the cake at 4-0.

It was tournament over for Drunken DisAudly who had put in a strong performance and we hope they'll be back for another crack at a title.

So, who would meet Water Boy in the Semi-Final? It was RC Lens against The Badgers. RC Lens had been dominant in the group stage this morning scoring 15 goals as they boasted the tournament's only 100% record. If Skidmarks were the pre-tournament favourites then RC Lens were surely the favourites at the end of the group phase.

The Badgers had also had a good morning and qualified for the Cup as the second best 3rd placed team. A game against RC Lens could hardly be considered a “reward” for their morning's efforts.

The two teams had met earlier in the day in Round 1 of Group B and had played out a very close game as RC Lens edged it 2-1. Here in the Quarter-Finals it was RC Lens who held the early advantage as David O'Connor put them ahead.

The Badgers were one of just two teams who had breached the RC Lens defence and loan-signing Matt Elsey in the RC Lens goal. They would have to do so again to continue in the tournament but the next goal went the way of RC Lens again as Tommy Twelves scored his 5th of the tournament to make it 2-0.

There was no way back for The Badgers but they still had interest in the tournament with their sister squad “Why Always Morris?”

Quarter-Final three was Algarve Stars versus Futeboladas. This promised to be the closest Quarter-Final tie yet as it was the winners of Group C versus the 2nd team in Group B.

Algarve Stars had won Group C in style with 13 points out of a possible 15, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 2. Futeboladas FC were not far off that with a haul of 12 points, scoring 8 goals and conceding just 2. We looked forward to a cracker of a game.

It was pretty even in the early stages as the half-time score read 1-1 – goals from Binlo (Algarve Stars) and Miguel Pereira (Futeboladas). After the break we went goal crazy as Binlo added to his tally for Algarve Stars aided by a goal from Nuno Pines. For Futeboladas the star of the show was Miguel Pereira who completed a hat-trick and Cristial Silva also scored as the men in red/white edged it. Final score, 4-3.

The final Quarter-Final was Galacticos versus Why Always Morris? It was the Runners-Up from Group and Group C respectively so the two teams should have been well matched and they proved to be so.

There was nothing between the two teams in the first half as they played out a 0-0 opening half. In the second half there were to be goals but still the two teams were unable to be divided as they game finished at 1-1. Andre Paulino scoring for the Portuguese side and Jack Turney equalizing for Why Always Morris?

We went into penalties in what was an enthralling shoot-out. It was Galacticos to strike first….

1-0, Andre Paulino scored in normal time and made no mistake with the penalty.

1-1, Jack Turney emulated Paulino as he added a penalty to his normal time goal.

2-1, Nuno Coelho finds the back of the net.

2-2, GK Moreno got a hand on it but couldn't prevent Tom Burrard-Lucas levelling.

3-2, Telmo Silva scores to really put the pressure on.

3-2, Moreno saves! But…drama…a re-take is rightly ordered by the referee as Moreno is well off his line.

3-3, Paul Morris converts the re-take and we're into sudden death.

4-3, Nelson Rodrigues continues the exemplary spot-kicks.

4-4, Dean Broadhurst matches Galacticos and levels it up again.

4-4, Disaster for Julio Mendes as Mehmet Emin makes the save that opens the door for Why Always Morris?

5-4, Rob Stockwell fires in off the bar and Why Always Morris? are through!

It was a great penalty shoot-out that had so much drama. Commiserations to Galacticos but plaudits and congratulations to Why Always Morris? who were now 2 wins from glory.