Sporting B defeated after two penalties and two red cards

Sporting B suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Desp. Aves this Saturday. Tarcisio, Nelson Pedroso and Fernando Silva were on target for the visitors, in an afternoon which saw Tomas Rukas and Ivanildo Fernandes sent off. Aves' last two goals were scored from the penalty spot.

Ponde strike secures three points a week ahead of encounter with FC Porto B

Sporting B fought to a battling 1-0 win over Desp. Aves this Wednesday afternoon, II Liga matchday 20.

Just as coach João de Deus had predicted in his pre-match press conference, the match was indeed decided in the detail, particularly by fatigue setting in after the break.

The encounter's opening opportunity belonged to Alexandre Guedes in the 12th minute, triggering a spell of play that saw Sporting B begin to unlock what was always going to be a stubborn Desp. Aves defence. On 25 minutes, Cristian Ponde opened the scoring after making the most of a failed shot by Labyad following some brilliant play by Ryan Gauld down the left. Six minutes before the break Pedró hammered a shot off Pedro Silva's bar, before two completely uncalled for heavy tackles on Podence and Mama Baldé left a blemish on the game, particularly after the horrific injuries picked up earlier in the season by Riquicho and King from similar circumstances.

Desp. Aves looked better in the second-half and came close to an equaliser on several occasions, particularly from deadball situations. However, Sporting B weathered the storm and again took a grip of proceedings going in to the last fifteen minutes. Sacko and Labyad both came close, before Quim tried an effort from range. Desp. Aves did actually have the ball in the back of the net at the death, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside and Sporting B came away with the narrow win at the final whistle.

João de Deus' pre-match press conference ahead of II Liga matchday 20

João de Deus saw down with the press this Tuesday to share his thoughts on the midweek hosting of Desportivo das Aves, in what he sees as the perfect chance for his side to show what they can do against quality opposition.

“What I hope to do and what the players hope to do is to play as well as we have in our last four matches. Wins help the team grow and only consecutive wins can help the lads develop a winning mentality", explained the Alvalade coach, adding: “They (Desportivo das Aves (have some quality players and some are really gifted individually. It will be a hard game and I think it will be decided in the details, particularly the physical side of things with us having games in midweek."

Tiago Antunes for II Liga matchday 20

Tiago Antunes, 34, from the Coimbra Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting B's hosting of Desp. Aves, on II Liga matchday 20.

Pedro Miguel Ribeiro and Paulo Brás will act as linesmen.

This will be the first time Tiago Antunes officiates over a Sporting B encounter this season.

Sporting B-Desp. Aves will get underway at 15h00 on Wednesday the 9th of November, in the CGD Stadium Aurélio Pereira, at the Sporting Academy.