Sporting give themselves confidence boost ahead of Rangers encounter

Naval 1-4 Sporting

After almost four months without a victory away from home in the Bwin Liga, Sporting returned to winning ways on their travels with a comprehensive thrashing of Naval.

The hosts took an early lead through Marcelinho, but a Miguel Veloso goal and a brace from Liedson turned the match around before the interval. Yannick Djalo completed the rout with a late header.

Sporting started with Pereirinha, Gladstone and Tiui in place of usual starters Abel, Polga and Vukcevic, respectively, as coach Paulo Bento looked to rest some of his key players ahead of the Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg at Glasgow Rangers on Thursday.

After Tonel had forced Wilson Junior into a sharp early save to turn his header over the bar, Naval took the lead from their first meaningful attack in the 11th minute.

Rui Patricio was at fault as the young Sporting goalkeeper made a poor attempted interception from a low cross, but only succeeded in pushing the ball into the path of the grateful Marcelinho, who had no problem in knocking the ball into the net.

Sporting hit back immediately and Liedson almost equalised on 15 minutes but Junior did well to block his effort. It proved only brief respite however, as Miguel Veloso – playing his best match of the season – scored his first goal for Sporting with a terrific free-kick that rocketed over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

Neat interchange

Two minutes later a quick interchange between Izmailov and Tiui set the latter free, who beat the goalkeeper to the ball and chipped a high cross to strike partner Liedson who had no problem heading into the empty net.

To rub salt into Naval’s wounds the home goalkeeper was injured in trying to challenge Tiui and had to be replaced by Taborda. Sporting were now playing with an attacking verve rarely seen this season, and on 36 minutes Romagnoli swung a delightful cross-field pass into the path of Liedson who produced an accomplished finish to make the score 3-1.

The hosts began the second half well, dominating for the first 15 minutes and almost pulling a goal back when Gaucho’s free-kick forced Patricio into a sprawling save.

However, the Lions soon re-established their ascendancy and controlled proceedings for the remainder of the match. Second-half substitute Yannick Djalo completed a highly satisfactory day’s work for the Lisbon outfit with an excellent header from a Veloso corner that flashed past Taborda into the net.

There was still time for Liedson to twice be denied his hat-trick, first owing to a fantastic Taborda save, then shooting wastefully over with only the keeper to beat.

Sporting now travel to Scotland in good heart as they attempt to take the first step towards the last four of the Uefa Cup.

Naval:
Wilson Junior (Taborda, 25), Mario Sergio, Godemeche, Gaucho, China, Gilmar, Delfim, Dudu, Davide (Joao Ribeiro, 46), Marinho (Saulo, 70), Marcelinho
Yellow Cards: Gilmar

Sporting:
Rui Patricio, Pereirinha (Abel, 59), Tonel, Gladstone, Grimi, Miguel Veloso, Izmailov, Romagnoli (Vukcevic, 76), Joao Moutinho, Liedson, Tiuí (Yannick Djalo, 46)
Yellow Cards: Tonel, Gladstone, Abel

Goals:
[1-0] Marcelinho, 11
[1-1] Miguel Veloso, 20
[1-2] Liedson, 22
[1-3] Liedson, 36
[1-4] Yannick Djalo, 79