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.

João de Deus looking for his side to impose their style on the weekend's Ledman LigaPro encounter

João de Deus sat down with the press this Friday to speak ahead of the first Ledman LigaPro fixture of the new year, which will see Sporting CP B host Sporting de Braga B.

"We will do everything we can to make a good start to 2017, particularly because we didn't finish 2016 how we wanted to. This is a match that we consider as important for us, against a team that are above us in the table. A good result could project us up the league. It will be a good match to match, but we expect to dominate", said the Sporting CP B coach, adding: "We aren't far off the positions higher up the table, but the same goes for the more dangerous positions as well. Braga B are set up like their senior team and we have picked out some weaknesses."

David Sualehe expecting Sporting CP B to claim the three points this Saturday

Sporting CP B will face Sporting de Braga B this Saturday in an 15h00 kick-off, at the Sporting Academy.

Alvalade defender David Sualehe is expecting a hard game, but is confident in his side's chances of claiming the three points.

"We know this is an important match. We want to start turning in good results as soon as we can. We are in good form right now and training has been going very well. We have studied Sp. Braga B, we know how they organise themselves and we have been working on getting past them in training", said Sualehe in an interview this Friday. 

First-half penalty from Rui Miguel keeps the points in Coimbra

João de Deus' side were presented with the difficult task of a trip to Coimbra to face Académica this Friday, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 20. A first-half penalty conceded by Ivanildo Fernandes and converted by Rui Miguel was all that split the sides at the final whistle.

Pedro Empis rallies the troops ahead of the week's trip to Coimbra

Sporting CP B will travel to Coimbra to face Ledman LigaPro second-placed outfit Académica this week, but Pedro Empis is not intimidated the the former Liga NOS opposition.

"We haven't turned in the best results lately, but we know we are playing good football. We are creating chances and that brings confidence, no matter who you are playing against. Académica are a really strong side, with a logn history in Portuguese football. They defend well and it will be a hard match, but we want the three points as always", said the Alvalade defender.

Coach João de Deus satisfied with his side's Lisbon B derby showing

Sporting B coach João de Deus was left largely pleased by his side's showing against SL Benfica B this Friday, also the result could have easily been different.

"We were really good. Benfica had a lot of trouble figuring us out and their keeper made some impossible saves. A win would have been fairer. We did win a point, but we are a bit frustrated to be honest. We have chances and we dominated tactically. Almost none of the lads knew each other at the start of the season and it has been great to watch them grow. Benfica caused us problems a times and they have some good players, but we dominated", said João de Deus.

Alvalade youngsters held to a stalemate in the Lisbon B derby

Sporting CP B were held to a goalless draw by SL Benfica B this Friday, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 19.

It was a well balanced game for the most part, with both sides only springing into life in the second-half, only to be denied by some superb stops from Pedro Silva (Sporting CP) and André Ferreira (Benfica).

The Alvalade charges looked dominant in the opening exchanged, but it was in the dying stages that João de Deus' side could have taken the lead, squandering three clear chances in the last 15 minutes.

Sporting CP B coach Francisco Barão looks ahead to this week's B derby

Sporting CP B assistant coach Francisco Barão sat down with the press for a pre-match interview this Thursday, looking ahead to the coming B derby. With his side having struggled to turn in wins as of late, Barão sees this as the perfect opportunity to find winning form again.

"The lads are looking forward to this match. Our last results haven't been great, with us missing out against Penafiel, V. Guimarães B and FC Porto B, so we are really up for this and want to find our usual form. No matter what happens, we will still feel confident afterwards", said the Sporting CP B assistant, adding: "The B teams have a competition between them. A lot of the lads are still young, but they have a lot of technical ability and want to play good football. We have managed to fit in with the other teams in Ledman LigaPro, although it is tough, direct football. Every player loves a good derby and we are going to Seixal to get the three points."

Pedro Silva on Friday's B derby

Sporting CP B goalkeeper Pedro Silva was in the Academy press room this Tuesday to speak about Friday's Lisbon derby against Benfica B.

“We don't need any extra motivation for the big games. The rivalry already gives us that. Obviously we will be looking to win", said Silva, going on to brush off last weekend's loss to FC Porto B: "Every game is special, but the big games deserve an extra bit of attention. There is a bit of a mini competition between the B teams and we want to be up to the challenge."

Rui Patrício, João Mário, Adrien Silva and Slimani all named from the Portuguese League

Sporting dominates the UEFA Portuguese League 2015/16 team named this week, on the institution's official website.

A total of four Sporting players feature from Jorge Jesus' squad: Rui Patrício, João Mário, Adrien and Slimani.

2015/16 XI in full: Rui Patrício (Sporting); Maxi Pereira (FC Porto), Miguel Layún (FC Porto) and Jardel (Benfica); Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Adrien Silva (Sporting), João Mário (Sporting), Rafa Silva (SC Braga) and Nico Gaitán (Benfica); Jonas (Benfica) and Islam Slimani (Sporting).