Hugo Canela praises his players for Saturday's dominating Challenge Cup showing against AC Doukas

Sporting CP put on a convincing performance in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals this Saturday, establishing a 12-goal lead ahead of the second-leg tomorrow against AC Doukas.

Coach Hugo Canela was understandably satisfied, peaking with radio journalists at the final whistle: "Our objective was to win by as many goals as possible and we played really well in defence, which let us go forward on the break and build up such a big lead in the first-half. The second-half could have been better, but it is normal. We came into this on the back of some tough games and we are still recovering a bit."

Alvalade secure 12-goal lead ahead of second-leg aginst AC Doukas

Sporting CP secured a comfortable win by margin of 12 (35-23) this Saturday against the Greek side AC Doukas, in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The team from Alvalade dominated from start to finish and had already established a 3-0 lead before the Greeks found the back of the net for the first time, after five minutes of action. Building on their solid opening, Hugo Canela's side smartly managed the rest of the half and went in at the break with a 21-10 lead.

Canela used the second-half to rotate his players, bringing on the young goalkeeper Manuel Gaspar in place of Cudic, but it made little difference to the balance of proceedings and by the time the full-time whistle blow Sporting CP had constructed a 12-goal cushion for the second-leg.

Francisco Tavares highlights the role of the fans for the hosting of AC Doukas

Sporting CP handball star Francisco Tavares is looking for the backing of the fans for the coming hosting of AC Doukas in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

"We are counting on the fans, they give us that extra push. We have avoided travelling to Greece, which gives us a bit more rest", said Tavares.

Sporting CP vs. AC Doukas will get underway at 15h00 on Sunday the 26th of March.

Hugo Canela setting the bar high for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals

Sporting CP's handball coach, Hugo Canela, sat down the the Sporting CP official website this week to speak about the coming double header against AC Doukas, in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

"Every game is difficult, especially with this being an international game. AC Doukas are coming here to get a win I am sure. We have the things we need to come out on top of this and we have the obligation as Sporting CP to go for the win in every single game."

Sporting CP drawn against AC Doukas in Challenge Cup

Sporting CP will take on the Greek side AC Doukas in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The Greeks come into the game on the back of a double win against the Turkish side Tasova Yibo SK (32-28 and 34-30).

Should Sporting CP move into the semi-finals, the winners of JMS Hurry-Up vs. HKM Sala will await.

Quarter-finals (25/26th of March and 1st/2nd of April)
HC Sloga Pozega (SRB) vs Valur (ISL)
AHC Potaissa Turda (ROU) vs HB Dudelange (LUX)
AC Doukas (GRE) vs SPORTING CP (POR)
JMS Hurry-Up (NED) vs HKM Sala (SVK)

Semi-finals (22nd/23rd and 29th/30th of April)
JMS Hurry-Up vs HKM Sala - AC Doukas vs SPORTING CP
HC Sloga Pozega vs Valur - AHC Potaissa Turda vs HB Dudelange