Podence on target and Rúben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Francisco Geraldes handed starts against Hungary

Portugal drew 3-3 against Hungary in Thursday afternoon, on the second to last encounter of the under-21 Euro 2017 qualifiers.

Sporting's central defensive pair of Rúben Semedo and Tobias Figueiredo started at the back, while Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence, the latter also finding the back of the net, featured further up the park.

Four Sporting youngsters to feature in Euro 2017 friendlies

The battle for a place at Euro 2017 begins in November and coach Hélio Sousa is gearing up with a series of friendlies.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis in list of 23 which also features Sporting's Daniel Podence, Tobias Figueiredo, Francisco Geraldes and Domingos Duarte

National under-21 coach Rui Jorge has called up 23 players for the Euro 2017 qualifiers against Hungary and Liechtenstein, for which Portugal has already secured qualification.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis (making his under-21 debut) both feature in a squad that also includes on loan Sporting players Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense) and Tobias Figueiredo. 

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: André Moreira (At. Madrid), Bruno Varela (V. Setúbal) and Miguel Silva (V. Guimarães);

Defenders: Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Edgar Ié (Villarreal), Fernando Fonseca (FC Porto), Pedro Rebocho (Moreirense), Rúben Semedo (Sporting CP), Pedro Empis (Sporting CP) and Tobias Figueiredo (Nacional);

Midfielders: André Horta (Benfica), Bruno Fernandes (Sampdoria), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense), João Carvalho (Benfica), João Teixeira (Wolves), Rony Lopes (Lille) and Rúben Neves (FC Porto);

Forwards: Simão Azevedo (Braga), Bruma (Galatasaray), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Diogo Jota (FC Porto), Gonçalo Guedes (Benfica) and Ricardo Horta (Braga).

Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw draw on UEFA Youth League matchday 2

Sporting might have snatched points from the jaws of defeat in Madrid on UEFA Youth League matchday 1, but it was exactly the opposite at the Sporting Academy this week, with the team from Alvalade conceding a last minute goal to Legia Warsaw.

Tiago Fernandes made three changes from matchday 1, introducing Luís Maximiano, Tiago Djaló and André Franco for Pedro Silva, Ricciulli and Miguel Luís.

The Sporting under-19's were actually under the watchful eye of Jorge Jesus, who made the trip to the Academy to see the next generation in action. Despite Sporting dominating the opening half an hour, the first real chance of the afternoon was made to wait until the 19th minute, when Pedro Marques was denied by Majecki one-on-one. The Polish keeper might have got the best of the first round, but he certainly didn’t in the second, when the Sporting forward latched onto a pass from Diogo Bragança to fire in the opener.

The goal actually saw Sporting somewhat lose their way for the rest of the half and Legia began to hold down a bit of possession. Szymanski fired a shot off the bar in the 35th minute, before Djaló brought down Szcepanski in the area that would have drawn the Polish visitors level, had Luís Maximiano not ensured otherwise in the Alvalade goal.

Legia’s pressing eventually paid off, when Ryczkowski’s shot was parried by the Sporting keeper into the path of Kulenovic for the equaliser.

Tiago Fernandes was not happy and began to ring the changes, bringing on Nuno Moreira and Elves Baldé after the break. The move proved to be a stroke of genius and it took Moreira just 17 minutes to put sporting back into the lead, netting with a superb placed effort into the top corner.

The goal lifted Sporting going into the final stages and Fernandes’s side looked to be heading for the win, before Szczepanski blasted in an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area with just seconds left on the clock.

The draw leaves Sporting in third place on two points, behind B. Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Alvalade youngsters open UEFA Youth League with draw

Sporting put in a solid performance in this season's UEFA Youth League opener against Real Madrid this Wednesday afternoon, securing a 1-1 away draw.

Although facing one of Europe's giants, Sporting put in a brave performance and dominated for most of the first-half, courtesy in part to Tiago Fernandes' well chosen strategy of winning the midfield battle. 

Unfortunately Sporting's dominance was not converted into goals, with a sterling performance in defensive and midfield failing to translate in the final third. 

Half-time arrived with the scoreboard blank, with Sporting have tried their luck on goal seven times compared to Real's one.

Sporting didn't look quite as secure after the restart, largely due to Real Madrid's positioning further up the park. Both sides battled away to get a foothold and chances naturally followed. Diaz Velazquez gave the hosts the lead with a 55th minute strike against an isolated Pedro Silva.

In response Tiago Fernandes gambled in the final stages, introducing Rafael Leão and Nuno Moreira in search of an equaliser. Three opportunities went wanting from Daniel Bragança and Elves Baldé, before Pedro Marques finally did justice to the result three minutes into injury time, after Abdu Conté led a break down the left flank.
 

Sporting youngsters travel to the Spanish capital for a three-day tournament

Madrid will also Sporting's youngsters this week. While the attention may be on the Champions League, both Alvalade's under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League and under-15 B side in the Madrid Football Cup will be action.

Sporting's under-15's are actually the reigning champions and will face opposition this time around from West Ham, New York SC, FC Nordsjaelland, Saint J. Boys and Rayo Vallecano. 

João Vargas' side will open againt Rayo Vallecano on the 16th (9h50CET), before facing FC Nordsjaelland at 12h20 the following day and then New York SC at 16h40. 

The following day will see Sporting face Saint J. Boys (9h50) and West Ham (11h30).



 

Aurélio Pereira on Cristiano Ronaldo and the secrets of the Sporting Academy

Just two days away from seeing his most famous student, Cristiano Ronaldo, face Sporting in the Champions League, the Sporting youth football legend Aurélio Pereira spoke about the world famous CR7 and the philosophy of the Sporting Academy.

"Knowing Cristiano Ronaldo like I do, he won't go easy on us. You can't take the professionalism out of him. At the beginning he was just an 11-year old lad from Madeira who arrived at the Academy without his parents. In 1997 he cost a lot of money. A day after he got here he was already training with the older lads and he had a capacity that we were not used to seeing. The older players all said that he was something different and he was. On top of his technical quality he had speed and could get away from his marker. He had a bit of skill in the air too", opened Pereira.

Asked to reveal the secrets of the success of the Sporting Academy, the Alvalade legend added: "Talent is one thing, but audacity is another. Players are only human and sometimes you forget that, but Ronaldo had a way of speaking with the rest of the players. On the second day he was completely relaxed with everyone, when anyone else would have packed their bags and went home if faced by the same thing. Youth football is in this club's DNA, it is in our culture. We give our young players creative liberty and we don't format anyone. We are really patient with them and treat them as people."

Kikas transfered to Leixões Sport Clube

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Leixões Sport Clube - Futebol, SAD for the transfer of the player Luis Almeida, known as Kikas, with Sporting SAD remaining with 80 percent of the player's economic rights.

Sporting SAD wishes Kikas the best of personal and professional success.

17-year old defender signs until 2022

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Thierry Correia for the renewal of the player's contract until June 2022, with a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00.

Sporting SAD wishes Thierry Correia the best of professional and person success.

Sporting CP keeps 50% economic rights of future transfer

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD, has reached an agreement with Estoril Praia Futebol, SAD for the transfer of the player Luís Ribeiro, with Sporting SAD remaining with 50% of the economic rights of a future transfer.

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD, wishes Luís Ribeiro the best of personal and professional success.