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| Thursday, 29 March 2012 16:12 |
Late penalty takes sheen off Sporting victorySporting 2-1 Metalist Kharkiv Sporting won 2-1 tonight at the Alvalade against Metalist Kharkiv thanks to goals from Marat Izmailov and Emiliano Insua. Cleiton Xavier’s 90th minute penalty left next week’s second leg finely balanced.
Ricardo Sa Pinto’s Sporting saw the return of Stijn Schaars to the first team after he missed the last league match due to suspension. Further forward Diego Capel played in spite of being a possible injury doubt for the game. Metalist Karkiv began the game with Sporting’s on-loan player Marco Torsiglieri as well as a host of his Argentine compatriots. It was the away side that settled the quicker with the speedy Tailson causing problems for the Sporting back line. Sporting eventually got into the game later in the half. Daniel Carrico was the unlikely source of the home team’s first two efforts, firing a powerful effort from distance straight at the goalkeeper then producing a cross-shot that fizzed across goal. With 33 minutes gone Sporting’s loanee Marco Torsiglieri was given a yellow card by German referee Wolfgang Stark meaning he will miss the second leg. Transformed teamAfter a tepid 45 minutes it seemed Ricardo Sa Pinto chose the right words to give his players at half time judging by the team’s reaction in the second period. It took just five minutes for Sporting to take the lead after a smart turn and run from Diego Capel was followed up by a perfect one-two with Insua. The Spaniard’s cross from the left found the onrushing Marat Izmailov in the middle to finish well from close range and put the home side ahead.The tricky Taison continued to cause problems for Sporting and was brought down by Daniel Carrico. Carrico received a yellow card for his troubles, which means he too will miss the return leg in Kharkiv. Sporting won a free kick on the edge of the area in the 63rd minute after Papa Gueye fouled Matias Fernandez. The Senegalese defender had just been booked for a foul on Ricky van Wolfswinkel which also rules him out of the second leg.  Stijn Schaars laid the freekick off for Emiliano Insua to strike. The Argentine left-back struck his effort hard and low to beat Oleksandr Horyainov to put Sporting 2-0 up on the night and send the crowd into raptures. Ricardo Sa Pinto made a couple of changes in the aftermath of the goal, bringing on Renato Neto for Daniel Carrico and Jeffren for Diego Capel.Patricio shinesMetalist kept on attacking, in the knowledge that an away goal could prove hugely important. Rui Patricio had to be at his usual best to deny both Tailson and most impressively Marko Devych. Patricio was the main man for Sporting again when former Bayern Munich player Jose Sosa went through on goal. The Portugal keeper reacted quickly to smother before the Argentine could get off a clean strike.As the 90-minute mark was reached it appeared Sporting had secured an important result. But the overworked Patricio had to brilliantly palm away a deflected shot. The rebound fell at Devic’s feet and the Sporting goalkeeper brought down the substitute as he attempted to round him. Metalist captain Cleiton Xavier slammed home a superb penalty. It was an anti-climatic end to what had been a positive second half for Sporting. A 2-0 advantage would have been a comfortable cushion to take to a tricky away trip to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Sporting coach Sa Pinto said after the match: “I’m very pleased with my players. We’re going to the second leg confident of getting through.” Metalist will be missing both centre-backs, Torsiglieri and Papa Gueye, while Carrico will also have to sit out the match through suspension. Sporting: Rui Patrício, Joao Pereira, Xandao, Polga, Insua, Carrico (Renato Neto, 69), Matias Fernandez, Schaars, Capel (Jeffren, 71), Wolfswinkel, Izmailov (Carrillo, 79) Metalist: Goryainov, Villagra, Torsiglieri, Papa Gueye, Obradovic, Blanco (Marlos, 78), Cleiton Xavier, Sosa, Juan Torres, Taison, Cristaldo (Devic, 65) Goals: [1-0] Izmailov, 51 [2-0] Insua, 64 [2-1] Xavier, 90 (pen) by Richard Cole |
i was obviously rooting for sporting, a few of you weren't sharp enough to grasp that. there is a huge difference between 2-0 and 2-1 because before metalist would have to score 3 to win (unless PK shootout), and now they just need 1... that's a big swing
Of course, as a Sportinguista, I want to beat Benfica domestically, and I will make jokes about them to have fun, but that is all part and parcel of being in a rivalry. But, by the same token, I want a strong Benfica to represent themselves well in Europe to show the prestige and power that they have as a club and to showcase the strength of the Portuguese league. The same goes for Porto, Braga and whomever else represents us.,
As a Sportinguista, I will defend Benfica to others who don't know their history and I will remind them that Benfica has much more history and European trophies and finals appearances than a lot of these new so called "elite teams" that people only seem to care about these days.
Benfica may be Sporting's biggest rival, but when it comes to playing in Europe, I will support them against others who are a rival to the Portuguese league. They are "my rival" whom I deep down respect and appreciate, and if there is fun to be made at their expense, then it should be by me, a Portuguese and a Sportinguista, and not by others!
That is why when NJ says that as much as it pains him, he still wants Sporting to do well in Europe, I want to wholheartedly thank him because that means a lot. Good sportmanship is a classy and mature trait that a lot of sports fans simply lack. Thanks again NJ.
Eddie/Trinidad, I have to say that I have been enjoying your posts for a long time and it is nice to see our group of Sportinguista posters including Jorge/SCP/USA and others, I have forgotten to mention, getting really involved. From your posts, you clearly are a very passionate Sportinguista, but one who also has respect for other teams including rivals and that is great to see.
One of the things we all seem to agree on is the overall positive vibe around Sa Pinto. I am ecstatic that he is in charge and I think that only good can come from his involvement with the club. Sporting needs to be maintained and run by Sportinguistas and their players must exude that dedication on the pitch. One of the things I love about Sa Pinto is that he constantly uses the words "pride, honor, strength, dedication and humility" when describing everything involving Sporting and those words are also what he expects from his charges.That is what I want to see in a leader.
I also have to agree with you regarding Renato Neto. I have very mixed feelings regarding him. He has been the reason for the last two goals scored against us in Europe. Man City scored their penalty kick during the second leg because of his involvement with tripping up Aguero directly outside the box and his positioning allowed Metalist to get in the situation where they were fouled by Patricio, which reulted in a penalty kick. Everytime I see Neto come on, I get an ominous feeling that something bad is going to happen defensively. Of course if Rinaudo wasn' hurt, this might be a different story. However, remember that Neto is only 20 years old and he is very young, he needs time to develop and become a better player. Also, he is a physical specimen, the kid is huge with a strong, muscular build, his size will allow us to tangle with some of the bigger teams in Europe. He just needs to get his positioning down a bit.
P.S.
I also enjow Orlando Mac's telenovelas very much! More please!
Sporting players have come together and Sa Pinto deserves the credit.
I am really impressed with Rui Patricio and believe he is now the number 1 GK for Portugal. He is an amazing shot blocker and will get better on crosses. I think we have a GK for the next 10 years.
Carrico was a super player in U-20 competitions and one of the few young players who showed potential. He regressed but is coming on strong. Carrico is needed on the NT as he plays two positions we are weak in and offers an athletic physical player that Portugal lacks. It woud be foolish of Bento to not have Carrico on the NT. Carrico is better than Rolando and Ricardo Costa. It will be a shame if Carrico is over looked.
As much as it pains me, I hope they get it done and advance. I hope the game suspensions don't come back to hurt them.
As for Carrico, I believe he was named captain as a very young man two seasons ago. I don't know if it went to his head and he stopped working hard, hence Paciencia dropping him outright.
He has looked good, and considering that Bento has chosen payers that haven't even played, it would seem logical for Carrico to get a call up.
I agree about Carrico for the seleccao and think he should be in the squad for the Euros, as he offers cover in 2 areas where we are quite short: central defence and defensive midfield, and that versatility would be an asset to the squad.
Lastly you people shouldn't even listen to Manny/NJ's comments. He has already come up with some class-less comments regarding Benfica, and he is clearly one of those (many) Porto fans that cares only about his own team and mocks the other Portuguese teams when they suffer in Europe. Don't let people like him affect the solidarity of suppourt for Portuguese futebol in general, which a lot of us show on this site.
Overall, it was most important for them to win this game and they did that. Letting Metalist back in at the end is regrettable but not a disaster. Still lots left to do and hopefully they can put together a complete game and finish the job.
Athletic Bilbao looms in the distance....they look very strong.
Man I hope my big brother liked that one
As far as I'm concerned, Sporting has always been about and will always be about playing with pride and winning.
Pepe can be fantastic as a defensive midfielder, but we will need him in the defense. Carrico is much better defensively than Veloso and he is much better technically than Pepe. Manuel Fernandes could play as a defensive midfielder, but like Meireles, he is much more effective farther up the pitch.
A midfield of Moutinho, Veloso, and Meireles is fun to watch with all their beautiful one touch passing, but against the likes of Germany and Holland, it will be suicidal to play without a defensive midfielder. Veloso is more of a deep-lying playmaker than a defensive midfielder. He can't be left alone to mark Ozil.
With Carrico, Moutinho and Meireles/Fernandes won't have to worry as much about defending since they will have a true defensive mid.
Give me a break, lay off the negativity.
Rentato Neto is not a player that I like. I have never liked his play whenever I’ve watched him and honestly he is a weak link anytime he comes on as a sub. Its when he came on to replace Carrico in the 70th minute, from there on that’s when our defense in midfield broke down and our back four lost the protection that Carrico so well provides. It was the same case vs Manchester City when he came on later in the game, that we were a little vulnerable in the defensive mid and the back. He’s not up to the standard to play for Sporting in my opinion!
But anyways we got a good win 2-1 so I am very pleased overall and the team has done us proud! They are capable of going to Ukraine and completing the job and progressing to the next round in the Europa League. This team continues to do amazingly well with Sa Pinto! I’m grateful that we have him as the manager and he’s doing a great job with this team! This team believes in each other and their mission and you continue to see it in their performances! Very proud of Sporting today! Metalist tried hard to prevent Sporting and it was by no means a walk in the park. They worked really hard to shut down Sporting and did so for the first half. But in the second half Sporting upped their tempo and their class shone through! Good win Sporting!!! Keep it up!!! Força Sporting!!!