If the Portuguese presence in the Red and White Club is something new, the link between the Portuguese-speaking community and the Dacois conglomerate is much older. As proof of its importance, one of the sixteen Portuguese consulates in France is located…in Dax! Société de Borda evokes its presence in Dax in the seventeenth century, but since the end of the 1950s a large group has settled, escaping the dictatorship and economic hardship, particularly in the Sablar region.
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Mostly from the regions of Braga and Guarda and known for their boredom and solidarity, Portuguese subjects were first employed as laborers, but the following decades would see the emergence of many Dacquoise companies with Lusitan titles. However, the arrival of the Portuguese representatives this season in the Dacquoise squad is more coincidence than historical logic. Starting with coach Herve Dorketti, who wasn’t his first attendance.
“I wore the Dax shirt in the late ’90s. When he called me ‘Jeff’ (Dubois, manager), I didn’t hesitate. This start of the season confirms to me the choice I made!” Column Diogo Ferreira, arrived last season from Dijon. “Having left young in England, I moved from Dijon to Dax, last year. The new venture brings new things and this necessarily leads to change. Building on last year’s work, these changes are beneficial.”
‘Exceptional welcome’
For winger Rodrigo Marta, it was a push from his coach that got him to the Dax. “I’ve always played in Portugal. I’ve wanted to live an experience abroad for a long time. Hervé (Dorquette) told me about the club here at Landes… I had an exceptional welcome. I couldn’t have asked for a better, first time!”
But after the game on Saturday (6:30pm) in Albi, their best stories will be shown in Dubai. Portugal will face Hong Kong, Kenya and the United States to snatch the last card for the 2023 World Cup in France. “It’s a childhood dream!” says Ferreira. “We’ve worked hard for this for three years,” confirms Marta. And Dorquetti to admit “I am French, but when I see them sing their anthem, I feel very proud…” One thing is for sure, back from Dubai, the two friends are counting on their compatriots from the Dacquois Basin for their support: “Come and watch us at the stadium. We have time and we want to meet our Portuguese friends from Dax ! »
