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| Sunday, 13 February 2011 08:49 |
Sporting pegged back in the AlgarveOlhanense 2-2 Sporting A Helder Postiga brace seemed to have put Sporting on course for a much needed win at Olhao last night, but two goals in three minutes from Ismaily and Daniel Carrico (in his own net) kept Olhanense’s unbeaten home record intact and earned the Algarve outfit a deserved point.
Sporting travel to Glasgow Rangers on Thursday as the Europa League resumes, and under-pressure coach Paulo Sergio would have been hoping for a confidence-boosting performance ahead of the trip to Scotland. He did not get it.
The performance exemplified Sporting’s wretched season, with sporadic moments of good passing football largely rendered futile by calamitous defending and long spells in which the opposition dictated play.
Fine headerThe visitors took the lead on 27 minutes as a neat move between Joao Pereira and Helder Postiga enabled the latter to get behind the Olhanense defence, and when his cross deflected high into the air, Postiga reacted well to plant a firm header into the net from a tight angle.
The hosts came back strongly and Djalmir and Ismaily were both within a whisker of equalising shortly before the break. Olhanense continued to enjoy the upper hand in the second half, with Sporting adopting a counter-attacking game plan. And when Helder Postiga, upon being released by substitute Matias Fernandez, fired confidently past Ricardo Batista shortly after the hour, it appeared Sporting would be returning to Lisbon with the three points. FortressBut Olhanense have made their Jose Arcanjo Stadium a fortress this season, and an intense spell of pressure brought instant rewards. On 65 minutes Ismaily reduced the deficit, punishing hesitant defending from Sporting, then a swift attack down the right flank ended with Sporting captain Daniel Carrico turning a cross into his own net.
Emotions were running high as both teams looked for the winner. Paulo Sergio was sent to the stands for protesting too vehemently and Adilson then managed the notable achievement of getting himself sent off one minute after coming on as a substitute for an x-rated challenge on Torsiglieri.
As if Sporting did not have enough to worry about, left-backs Grimi (injured) and Evaldo (suspended) will definitely miss next week’s Lisbon derby against Benfica, while midfield playmaker Valdes is also doubtful after going off injured in the first half.
Olhanense in Europe?Olhanense, on the other hand, can be proud on their Liga ZON Sagres efforts this season. The club with one of the lowest budgets in the top flight are assured of survival in the upper echelon of Portuguese football long before the end of the campaign. Indeed, lying just two points off fifth place, Dauto Faquira’s charges can legitimately dream of snatching a European berth.
Goals: [0-1] Postiga, 27 [0-2] Postiga, 62 [1-2] Ismaily, 64 [2-2] Daniel Carrico, 66 (own goal) by Tom Kundert
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http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=684010
As for Sporting there is a ton of work to do. I may always despise the club, but I know their importance to Portugal and the league. I hope that they can embrace their history and get it together.
Finances could get better for them in a hurry. I like the idea of them opening an academy in China. In could bring in earnings and influence if handled right.
Sportings Europa League form has also been better than their league form.
Let me also say, league standings don't matter when it comes to the Lisbon derby. I expect nothing less than a tough match come next weekend.
As Olhanense being able to expand on their fan base and support, they have a long way to go. It may take a few years in the Superliga for it to take hold.
Guimaraes fans are really passionate and Braga fans aren't far behind.
First off, Braga will make the Uefa cup next year.
Secondly, Braga has more prospects then Benfica does for the national team. You should have already realized that by now. More and BETTER prospects as well. Who do you guys have? David Simao? Pizzi > David Simao.
Don't get me started on your pitiful academy that hasn't contributed anything to the Seleccao in recent years. Braga's academy has in Tiago Mendes and Eduardo. What have Benfica produced? Nelson? LOLZ! Shame. What a waste of money.
We have so many prospects and they are all having good years as well. Yazalde, Pizzi, Helder Barbosa, Silvio, Tiago Pinto, Ukra, Dani, Anibal Capela and the list is too long to mention. Benfica's prospects are horrible. What Martins, Ruben Amorim? Both of them suck. Don't get me started on Moreira... WOW
Answer me this how many national team players from Braga are on Portuguese starting 11? I know Benfica have 2 and they also have the most National team players from U20 national team from Portugal, so it continues to be the big 3 that continue to produce usable talent for the national team, not just rejects.
Benfica is the anti- portuguese team. Even Braga and Porto have more portuguese players in their starting 11 then Benfica. Not only that but Benfica embarrass Portugal in Europe. Why any patriotic portuguese person would support Benfica I don't know.
It would make sense that I want Sporting to beat Benfica because I hate Benfica and love Sporting. Why do I hate Benfica? However, when Sporting plays Braga I will want Braga to win.
P.S Benfica is only in the CL next year because of braga's performance. Braga made the league 6th in the world. In other words, if it wasn't for Braga, second place wouldn't be an automatic qualification for the CL.
In defense, Evaldo and especially Polga are disastrous at times. Carrico and Pereira are good players, but Sporting can't just rely on 2 good defenders. Also, what happened to Nuno Andre Coelho? He was pretty impressive at the beginning of the season.
The midfield is their strength, but they definitely miss Moutinho. Pedro Mendes, Andre Santos, and Valdes are all good players. Maniche is nowhere near the player he was 5-6 years ago. Matias Fernandez is a talented player, but injuries and inconsistency have not helped his development.
The weakest part of Sporting in my opinion is the attack. Liedson is a Sporting legend and he was always a consistent goal scorer so he is a massive loss. Postiga isn't bad at all, but he needs to be more consistent. Vukcevic is way too selfish and takes way too much time on the ball. Djalo is quick, but he has poor ball control and a terrible first touch.