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| Sunday, 13 September 2009 22:10 |
Liedson saves sluggish SportingSporting 1-0 Pacos de Ferreira A goal ten minutes from time by Liedson – the striker’s 100th league goal in what was his 250th match in all competitions for the Lions – gave Sporting victory against Pacos de Ferreira at the Alvalade tonight, albeit with another disjointed display.
New signing Miguel Angel Angulo was thrown straight into the Sporting starting line-up by Paulo Bento, as Matias Fernandez started on the bench following the long journey and midweek game for Chile against Brazil.
The Spaniard had not started a competitive match since February, and it showed as he struggled to make an impact or strike up any sort of understanding with his new team-mates. In a turgid first-half display by the hosts, Yannick Djalo’s early volley and two Tonel headers from corners were the only times Cassio’s goal came under threat.
Golden chance spurnedIndeed, it was Pacos de Ferreira who spurned the best chance of the half on the stroke of half-time. A dreadful mistake by Andre Marques led to Cristiano having a free shot on goal ten metres out. Patricio did well to block the effort, but the talented Cristiano, as usual showing some superb touches throughout the match, will feel he should have done better.
Bento replaced Marques and Angulo with Postiga and Fernandez, at the break, with Miguel Veloso dropping back to left-back. The Lions showed much more energy, with both substitutes having a positive effect on the team.
Nevertheless, the well-organised Pacos were proving a tough nut to crack. An exhilarating run and shot from Vukcevic that brought a sprawling save out of Cassio and a fierce Djalo effort that just cleared the bar seemed to signal a brighter showing from Sporting.
But chances were not being created at either end, although Cassio had to be alert in the 75th minute as a flying save prevented what would have been a comical own goal from Ozeia.
Liedson strikesJust as Sporting were starting to hit the panic button, the goal arrived, as Moutinho’s pinpoint cross was guided into the net by a perfectly executed Liedson header. Sporting’s job of holding on for the three points was made easier by two red cards for Pacos players in the closing stages.
The win puts Sporting five points behind leaders Braga, and three behind eternal rivals Benfica and FC Porto, but it is brutally obvious that unless Sporting improve drastically they will struggle to achieve success this season.
by Tom Kundert
Sporting:
Patricio, Abel, Tonel, Daniel Carrico, Andre Marques (Postiga, 46), Angulo (Matias Fernandez, 46), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Vukcevic, Yannick (Caneira, 85), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Andre Marques, Miguel Veloso, Vukcevic P. Ferreira: Cassio, Filipe Anunciacao (Pedrinha, 36), Danielson, Ozeia, Kelly (Carlitos, 10, Fabio Pacheco 63), Leonel Olimpio, Ricardo, Baiano, Jorginho, Ciel, Cristiano
Yellow Cards: Ozeia, Ricardo, Baiano, Ciel, Pedrinha, Fabio Pacheco, Cristiano Red Cards: Fabio Pacheco (86), Baiano (93)
Goals: [1-0] Liedson, 80
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I could barely watch this game, and I'm a Sportinguista.
It makes me think about what people have been saying about Moutinho, Veloso, and Liedson playing for the national team. Not that they are responsible for their teams issues but they are obviously struggling and I really think thats why Quieroz isn't letting them play. Liedson does play but only because Portugal have no other strikers with Almeida injured.