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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 10:27

Portuguese Cup: Carvalhal confident ahead of clash of the titans

“We have the ability to fight for the result”

SportingFC PortoThe first quarter-final of the Portuguese Cup takes place tonight, with FC Porto welcoming Sporting to the Estadio do Dragao. Sporting coach Carlos Carvalhal admitted his club could not have been given a more difficult tie to reach the semi-finals but insists “there are no favourites.”
 
Neither team is enjoying a particularly good season, and both sets of players know that their chances of landing silverware this year will substantially reduce if they get knocked out of the Cup.
 
Playing at home, Porto would normally start strong favourites, but the Dragons are significantly weakened given that first-teamers Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles, Helton, Rodriguez and Hulk are all missing.
 
The Sporting squad is in better shape, although Yannick Djalo and Simon Vukcevic are forced to sit the match out due to injury.
 
“I feel we have the ability to fight for the result,” said Sporting coach Carlos Carvalhal.
 
“We’re going to face extremely strong opponents. We are aware that the draw landed us the most difficult opponent at their ground, but I feel my team is strong enough to compete in any game. It’s a classic of Portuguese football and there are no favourites.”
 
Comments (8)
the game
8 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 22:48
andrew
" the Dragons are significantly weakened" haha not at all were getting stronger and stronger by the game even without our best players
how many
7 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 21:39
Ryan/UK
hey lads, is this straight knockout? Or is there a second leg at the Alvalade?
Cheers
Hulk FC Porto
6 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 21:13
Tonni/Malta
Can somebody tells me why Hulk is not playing in any match??

I read that he was suspended. Is he still Suspended or what ?

Thanks Mates
porto/sporting
5 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 16:56
william conker/england
should be a spiffing game full of opportunity,porto weakened but still very srong and ofcourse at home! sporting shite away against the top teams so 4-1 porto for me!!!!! top of the pops
Green Lions Will Roar
4 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 16:53
Carlos/Acores
Sporting will bounce back after their heartbreaking defeat against Braga and beat Porto in the Dragao. Os Tripeiros are missing several key players, so this is our chance. The winner of this game will likely have a great opportunity to win the Taca. I hope that Pedro Mendes makes his debut as a Lion!
up in the air
3 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 15:46
Mario/Toronto
Given the players Porto is missing plus Sporting's lack of constancy, this could really be a great game to watch. I'm hoping it goes into extra time so I can catch some of it after work.
If Porto is sitting a lof of players...
2 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 13:48
Pipa/Canada
Sporting should win but nothing surprises me with them these days.
Porto x Sporting
1 Tuesday, 02 February 2010 11:00
Fresh/Hamilton, Canada
Should be a good game to watch, one team will go home the other will continue on, can't wait!

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