March 16, 2008 11:35 PM

SOURCE:
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Benfica's title hopes slip after Maritimo rallies for 1-1 draw in Portugal

Benfica's title hopes slipped further out of reach Sunday when Maritimo rallied for a 1-1 draw in the Portuguese league.

Maritimo substitute Ytalo scored the game-tying goal in the 75th minute, one minute after replacing Baba. Oscar Cardoza had scored in the 25th minute to give Benfica a 1-0 lead.

Benfica's fortunes haven't improved since coach Jose Antonio Camacho quit last Sunday. The team was eliminated from the UEFA Cup by Getafe on Wednesday.

Benfica was without American teenager Freddy Adu, who is playing for the United States in Olympic qualifying.

FC Porto, which leads the league by 16 points, beat Leixoes 2-1 Saturday.

Porto has 57 points, while Benfica and Guimaraes, which beat Leiria 1-0 Friday, have 41 each with seven games remaining.

Porto can clinch its third straight title with a victory at Belenenses on March 30 if its closest rivals lose.

Also Sunday, it was: Sporting Braga 3 Naval 0, Pacos Ferreira 2 Setubal 1 and Boavista 2 Amadora 1.

Sporting, which is in fifth place with 34 points, plays Nacional on Monday.

On Saturday, Belenenses drew 0-0 at Academica, and Guimaraes beat Leiria 1-0 on Friday.