João de Deus' side denied in a match which saw another negative refereeing display

Sporting CP B missed out 2-1 to Sporting de Braga this weekend, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 21. It was yet another match brand by some highly debatable refereeing.

The match got off to a well balanced start, with possession held down in the midfield for long spells, until a puzzling decision in the 12th minute. Sualehe whipped in a free-kick, which was flicked on by Leonardo Ruiz to Pedro Delgado for the finish. Everything was normal up to this point, until the assistant referee, after making his way back to the halfway line in recognition of the goal, decided to rule out the strike. With Sporting CP B still in shock, Braga B made the most of the opportunity to go down the other end on the break and Xadas put an unstoppable shot past Pedro Silva.

In the space of two minutes, Sporting CP created two chances (20’ and 21’) to equalise through Pedro Delgado. The first was intercepted by the Braga B defence, while the second was stopped by the keeper. A spell of possession followed for João de Deus' side, but it was the visitors who looked dangerous and could have gone two up, had it not been for Kiki's fantastic tackle.

If the incidents earlier in the match were not enough, João de Deus' side were given even more of an uphill fight in the 48th minute, when Ivanildo Fernandes was sent off for a second booking. Looking to reorganise, Pedro Empis pushed out to the right and Sualehe dropped back down the left, while Abdu Conté joined Kiki in the heart of defence. Despite being a man down, Sporting CP B continued to fight on and their efforts were repaid in the 65th minute, when Ronaldo Tavares made the most of spilled save to level the scores. Despite Sporting CP B's best efforts, Braga B again took the lead nine minutes from time through Ogana.