Sparring Ghanaian striker Abdul-Aziz Yakubu set the tone with lightning-fast runs upfront to smash twice to help Rio Ave to advance to the next round of the Portuguese Taça da Liga.
The Vilacondenses won 2-1 over Farense in the annual football club competition at the Estádio dos Arcos on Tuesday.
Yakubu broke the virginity of the game in the 30th minute and converted a spot-kick in the 73rd minute to restore the lead for the home side after Farense defender Zach Muscat had equalised in the 62nd minute.
Yakubu, 24, lasted the entire duration of the match, and his brilliant counterattacks was the catalyst, giving Rio Ave a resounding win of the third round of the League Cup.
He has now scored 8 goals (6 in 13 Primeira Liga matches and 2 goals in one League Cup game) and annexed 3 assists in 14 appearances in all competitions this season for the Northern Portuguese club.
Yakubu's compatroit Emmanuel Okyere Boateng was an unused substitute for Rio Ave.
By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah
