17 September 2006, by Tom Kundert

Sporting fall to shock defeat

Sporting 0-1 Pacos de Ferreira

Sporting came back down to earth with a bump last night after their win over Inter Milan in midweek, falling to a surprise home defeat to Pacos de Ferreira. A controversial goal from Ronny just before half time proved to be the winner.

But Sporting must still today be wondering how they lost the match after an avalanche of attacking football produced a host of chances in the second half. A combination of poor finishing, inspired goalkeeping and a touch of luck ensured Pacos obtained only their second ever victory at Alvalade.

Paulo Bento made two changes from the starting XI that performed so heroically in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Miguel Garcia coming in for Abel at right-back and Brazilian striker Alecsandro replacing Djalo.

Sporting were strangely subdued in the first 45 minutes, with the visitor’s impressive goalkeeper, Pecanha, comfortably dealing with two free-kicks from Nani and Miguel Veloso.

Ronny strikes

An excellent first-half performance by Pacos, who were in no way overawed by their hosts, saw them go into the break one goal to the good when Ronny bundled the ball into the net from a corner on the stroke of half time. Ricardo led furious protests by the Sporting players, and TV replays showed that the Pacos striker had pushed the ball into the net with his left arm.

But the goal stood – the Brazilian’s fourth of the season – and Sporting went into the interval losing. At the break Bento brought on Ronny for Miguel Garcia and Djalo for Romagnoli, and Sporting came out with a different attitude in the second half.

The home side completely dominated, and the first of many chances came on 53 minutes when Alecsandro headed goalwards but Pecanha produced a fine diving save. Wave after wave of attack poured towards the Pacos goal, as Sporting accumulated 10 corners in the second half.

Shortly after coming on for Alecsandro, substitute Bueno connected perfectly with a Nani cross, only for Pecanha to produce a magnificent stop, tipping the ball over the bar. Sporting came even closer on 75 minutes but Bueno’s header came back off the bar.

A hatful of gilt-edged chances were spurned, with Liedson, Djalo and Bueno all guilty of bad misses, as the crowd sensed that even if the match continued until midnight Sporting would not score. And so it proved.

Paulo Bento admitted that Sporting had been poor in the first half, but rectified matters such that: “We made so many chances that even a draw would have been unjust, let alone a defeat.”

Sporting now travel to Aves while Pacos de Ferreira host Benfica in next weekend’s matches.

Sporting:
Ricardo, Miguel Garcia (Ronny, 45), Polga, Tonel, Caneira, Miguel Veloso, Moutinho, Nani, Romagnoli (Djalo, 45), Alecsandro (Bueno, 61), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Tonel (35), Moutinho (45)

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Geraldo, Paulo Sousa, Didi (Emerson, 90), Cristiano (Joao Paulo, 84), Ronny (Antunes, 73), Luiz Carlos, Elias, Mangualde, Fredy, Dani
Yellow Cards: Fredy (54), Ronny (67), Luiz Carlos (84)

Goals:
[0-1] Ronny, 45