Swansea City Under-23s Porto Premier League International Cup
25th March
A second half goal from striker Galeno ended Swansea City Under-23s dream run in the Premier League International Cup at Liberty Stadium.
Both sides played out an even opening first half which saw Porto hit the post before Keston Davies headed inches wide.
Porto took the lead just after the hour mark as Galeno fired home a cross from Oleg.
Despite chances, the young Swans could not find an equaliser ending their superb run in the competition against a side that plays in the second tier of the Portuguese league system.
Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack made three changes to the side that beat Blackburn Rovers in last weekend's Premier League Cup last-16 match.
Connor Roberts replaced the injured Tyler Reid at right-back, while Jay Fulton and Kenji Gorre came into midfield for the International Cup semi-final.
SWANS U23s: Gregor Zabret, Connor Roberts, Aaron Lewis (Tom Plezier, 75), Ryan Blair (Adnan Maric, 66), Keston Davies (Capt), Joe Rodon, Daniel James, Jay Fulton, Oli McBurnie, Adam King, Kenji Gorre (George Byers, 76)
UNUSED SUBS: Alex Lang, Jack Evans, Liam Cullen, Keiran Evans.
FC PORTO B: Gudino, Ismael, Rui Moreira (Joao Graca, 84), Oleg, Omar, Verela, Diogo Verdasca, Tony Djim (Ruben Macedo, 78), Wenderson Galeno, Musa Yahaya, Chidozie Awaziem.
UNUSED SUBS: Ricardo Silva, Inacio Santos, Raul Almeida, Moreto Cassama, Andre Pereira.
Swansea started brightly in the spring sunshine at Liberty Stadium as could have taken the lead inside the opening five minutes as Daniel James' pass released Keni Gorre down the left wing, but his shot was across the face of goal.
Porto showed their intent on ten minutes as a low powerful free-kick from defender Ismael rattled the post from 25-yards with Swans keeper Gregor Zabret well beaten by the shot.
Swans captain Keston Davies headed wide soon after before Djim fired an effort just over the bar.
Swansea created some superb play throughout the half as Ryan Blair found McBurnie to craft a counter-attack before Daniel James' cross was cut out by the defence.
On the half hour mark, Zabret dived to his right to produce a superb save to deny Porto's Wenderson Galeno before the striker fired another effort inches wide ten minutes later.
Both sides with chances in the opening half, but neither could break the deadlock with it all square at the break.
HALF TIME: Swans U23s 0 - 0 FC Porto B
Porto came out attacming in the second half and almost took the lead a minute into the restart as the ball broke to Chidozie inside the box, only for the winger to fire just wide of the post.
Zabret made a comfortable save from Verela's shot five minutes later, but ensured the scores stayed level minutes later with a stop to deny Ismael.
Swansea looked to hit back on the counter attack and had two golden opportunities through Daniel James' crosses, however both we cut out by Porto's defence before finding target man Oli McBurnie.
The Portuguese side took the lead just after the hour mark as Oleg floated a cross into to box for striker Galeno to ghost in and fire past Zabret.
Porto controlled much of the game after taking the lead. Swansea did have chances to level, but Adam King fired his effort over the bar before James arrowed a shot straight at the keeper.
The visitors almost doubled their lead in the final minutes as Galeno fired wide before the full time whistle ended the Under-23s run in the competition.
