We were at the 2017 Lisbon Tournament Cup Semi-Final stage and from the 16 teams who started the day we were down to the final 4. We had 1 Brazilian team, 2 Portugese teams and 1 English team all still in the hunt for glory.

Up first was Cruz Del Sur A versus Wonderleague. Cruz Del Sur A were the sole representatives from England and were in high quality company in the Semi-Finals. That should not worry them as they had beaten both Group A and Group B winners. They certainly had the quality to go all the way.

Wonderleague came from the same group as Cruz Del Sur A and would feel confident having finished two places and five points above their opponents in Group B. They had also defeated Cruz Del Sur A 1-0 in these teams final group fixture. The Portuguese team had also warmed up for this game with a 5-0 victory over ADP Netherlands.

Cruz Del Sur A came into this game on a high having defeated the highest ranked team in the group phase and were clearly pumped after that result. All that momentum would have disappeared after they conceded an early goal in the Semi-Final. Bruno Miguel Fernandes Pinto scored with the game less than a minute old which put Cruz Del Sur A on the back foot. Dom J Taveres added a quick second and already Cruz Del Sur A had a mountain to climb.

When Jacinto made it 3-0 it looked like all hope was gone. Tom Obafemi scored to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and give the English a flicker of hope. Jacinto then extinguished that with his second of the game and fourth of the tournament to make it 4-1 to Wonderleague. The Portuguese had qualified for the Cup Final.

After 3 Cup Quarter-Final defeats, Cruz Del Sur A had broken that hoodoo today and recorded their best finish with a Cup Semi-Final. Despite that they will no doubt have felt disappointed but they shouldn't do. They'd performed well and maybe next time they can reach that first Cup Final.

So, who would take their place in the Final from the second Semi-Final? The two teams set to do battle were Pangare Futebol Clube against Indoorsoccer.

Pangare Futebol Clube were the second team to represent Brazil in our tournaments this year. Earlier in our season Projetio Tokio had travelled all the way from Brazil as they finished 5th in Group A at the 2017 Krakow Trophy. Pangare Futebol Clube did not travel so far as they resided in Estoril so the Lisbon Tournament was on their doorstep. It was their eurofootballfives.com debut and they were on form with 7 wins out of 8 games played so far.

Indoorsoccer would arguably be their toughest challenge yet as the Portuguese team were unbeaten so far. They had won 6 and drawn 2 of their games to date. This was a game against the top scoring team of the tournament – Pangare Futebol Clube had scored 23 so far (Indoorsoccer only 12 in contrast). Indoorsoccer had the better defence though with just 3 conceded (Pangare Futebol Clube has conceded 5 in comparison).

If Indoorsoccer could keep it a tight game then you fancied this would be their best chance. If Pangare Futebol Clube could open it up then you felt the game would be theirs. The first half was tight but it was Pangare Futebol Clube who lead. Wedney Anouso's second strike of the day made it 1-0 and that's the way it stayed until half-time.

In the second half Pangare Futebol Clube extended their lead as Denilson Jesus made it 3-0 before Blendow Esteves made it 3-0. Indoorsoccer pulled one back as Eduardo Silva scored his first of the day. Sadly for his team it was their last of the day. Blendow Esteves wrapped up the scoring at 4-1 to send Pangare Futebol Clube through to the Cup Final.

The tournament was over for Indoorsoccer but they had performed well on the day overall and could be proud of their efforts. Their first defeat of the tournament meant they were out. It was their second Lisbon Tournament appearance and second Semi-Final exit. Could it be third time lucky to reach the Cup Final next year?