Sporting denied by stoppage time equaliser

Academica 1-1 Sporting

Despite a much-improved performance Sporting let two more points slip from their grasp in Coimbra as Paulo Bento’s team had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

A fine header from Tonel on 81 minutes seemed to have earned Sporting the three points, but Pavlovic scored a dramatic leveller in the 93rd minute to pile more misery on what has been a wretched 2008 thus far for Sporting.

Sporting started well and were quick to go on the attack against a defence-minded Academica, who were practically inoffensive until falling behind late on, with only the lively Helder Barbosa causing Sporting’s back four any problems.

The visitors dominated possession and gradually wound up the pressure. It needed a fine Pedro Roma save to deny Liedson giving the Lions an interval lead.

Liedson chances

The second half followed much the same pattern and Sporting looked even more dangerous as Paulo Bento made three offensive substitutions, and Liedson twice came close to giving the Lisbon club the lead.

First the Brazilian latched onto a dropping ball in the box and produced an athletic overhead kick that the well-positioned Roma collected. The striker then should have done better as he headed a peach of the Vukcevic cross over the crossbar.

Nine minutes from time Sporting at last got the breakthrough. Liedson won a free kick wide on the right and a Moutinho cross into the box was met perfectly by Tonel who thundered a header into the net off the post.

Inexplicably, after being in complete control of the match up until the goal, Sporting retreated into their own half, nervously failing to retain possession, and from practically Academica’s first shot all match Tiero sent a stunning effort crashing back off the bar from 25 metres.

Yet Sporting failed to heed the warning, and deep into injury time Pavlovic stole in at the far post to take advantage of a flick-on and head into the net to earn what could prove a crucial point for his side.

Academica:
Pedro Roma, Nuno Piloto, Orlando, Kaka, Vítor Vinha, Pavlovic, Paulo Sergio (Pedro Costa, 55), Cris, Tiero, Lito (Joeano, 65), Helder Barbosa (Ivanildo, 74)
Yellow Cards: Orlando, Pavlovic

Sporting:
Rui Patricio; Abel, Tonel, Polga, Ronny (Pereirinha, 75), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Izmailov (Luiz Paez, 63), Romagnoli (Farnerud, 78), Vukcevic, Liedson
Yellow Cards: Tonel, Romagnoli, Polga

Goals:
[0-1] Tonel, 81
[1-1] Pavlovic, 93