Alvalade star starts in 3-1 win against Panama

A convincing Costa Rica national team beat Panama 3-1 this week, in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualification Group B match which saw Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz called up.

The Alvalade number 7 started the evening and was substituted after 64 minutes, while Bryan Ruiz remained on the bench.

Bolanos, on 19' and 80', and Matarrita on 85' were on target for Costa Rica, while Tejada netted for Panama.
 

President praises Adrien, Rui Patrício and William Carvalho

In a publication on his official Facebook page, Bruno de Carvalho showered Alvalade's captain's with praise, affirming that they "are the best in the world in their positions" and that is in honour to have them in Alvalade.

João Pereira battles back spot in the Alvalade defence and is expecting a tough challenge this weekend

Looking ahead to this weekend's Liga NOS matchday 4 hosting of Moreirense, João Pereira is expecting a tough afternoon's work against what is typically stobborn opposition.

"It will be hard. We wanted to win every game, but especially now that we are at the top of the league. Moreirense are an organised team with a new coach and it will be hard for us, but we are favourites and we have to show why on the pitch", affirmed the wing-back, adding a word on the squad's return after the recent international break: "The break was good for integrating the new players, even though Markovic and Bas Dost arrived a bit later on."

Serbian national coach happy to see Marković back in training

Lazar Marković had been in Lisbon for lass than 24 hours, but he already has his boots on and was on the training pitch for Wednesday's afternoon session in Alcochete.

Speaking in an interview with the newspaper O Jogo, the Serbian national coach, Slavoljub Muslin, also proved pleased with Marković's return to the Portuguese capital: "It is good for him to go back to a country where he was happy and where he showed hsi quality. It is also important for him to be with a coach that knows him and that makes him a better player. I think Jorge Jesus will turn him into a real weapon for Sporting.”

Lazar Markovic touches down in Lisbon to join Jesus' squad

On landing in Lisbon after agreeing a move to Alvalade from Liverpool, Lazar Marković left a clear message on his intentions in Alvalade: "I am here to win the league."

Although the influence of Jorge Jesus, who already worked with Marković in the 2013/2014 season, was fundamental in his return to Portugal, the Serbian also saw other attractions: "the coach, the president, the club's ambition. that is all important to me."

Sporting CP opens sixth Academy School in Africa

The Sporting Academy in South Africa is the country's third and the sixth on the African continent. João Gomes, who lives in the city and was considered as being Sporting Member of the Year, spoke about what the new facilities mean to the region.

"We can feel the passion coming from Sporting and it is a pleasure to see these kids, who are mostly South African, wearing a green and white shirt. A lot of them want to go to Alvalade to watch a match", opened Gomes, adding: "This is just the start of the project for us and we will carry on growing."

The Sporting board member Luís Roque was also on hand to speak about the reasoning behind the building of the Nelspruit facility: "A few years ago we had one school abroad and now we have six in Africa. That shows what Sporting is looking to do with foreign communities. Sometimes the people who join us don't speak Portuguese, but they certainly know how to say Sporting. We are really ambitious and this year alone we are looking to open another ten Academies."

Bruno de Carvalho happy with opening of new facilities in South Africa

The Sporting president has been touring South Africa in recent days and has just opened up the new Sporting Academy School in Nelspruit. With the new facility just 100km from Mozambique, Bruno de Carvalho has already picked ups next target: "We are on the doorstep of Mozambique, which is good. One of our objectives is to build facilities their too and and we will do everything we can to do that next year."

For Bruno de Carvalho, the dedication shown by those behind the new Sporting Academy Schools in South Africa reflects well for the future: "People will start to see that this is a solid project and has everything needed to succeed. People can see how great it is to be in one of these Acadmies."

The role of João Gomes, already named as Club Member of the Year, was also noted by the Alvalade boss: "He is involved in the Academy. He is involved in this project and it is important for us to have such quality people that also have a passion for Sporting."

3,917 tickets sold out for Champions League opener

All 3,917 tickets on sale to Sporting fans in Alvalade for the coming Champions League visit to Real Madrid hae sold out. A queue of 500 fans had already formed by the time ticket offices opened at 09h30 this morning.

Luís Roque speaks with radio journalists after opening of South Afica Academies

After a busy day in Johannesburg, the Sporting committee visiting South Africa traveled to Nelspruit this Sunday.

Known for its safaris, including the Kruger Park, the area now has its very own Sporting Academy School officially opened by president Bruno de Carvalho, board member Luís Roque and club member of the year, João Gomes.

Luís Roque proved satisfied with the latest addition to the Sporting Academy Network: "This is an important step for Sporting's expansion and image. Before this we only had one international academy, which is in Toronto."

Popular Italian newpaper praises the Sporting Football Factory

"A cradle of talent that continued to a page in the country's history", wrote the Italian newspaper Gazzetta about the Sporting Academy in an article this weekend, as part of a piece on João Mário's record-breaking transfer to Inter Milan.

The well-known Italian publication also mentioned Sporting's glory years, including the Five Violins and 1964 Cup Winners' Cup, before exploring the transfers of Made in Sporting players João Mário, Cristiano Ronaldo, João Moutinho, Nani, Quaresma, Cédric and José Fonte and the quality of Rui Patrício, Adrien and William Carvalho.