President Bruno de Carvalho speaks with A Bola

Bruno de Carvalho gave an extensive interview with the sports newspaper A Bola this weekend, as part of his third anniversary as Alvalade president.

Bruno de Carvalho spoke about everything from refereeing to his relationship with coach Jorge Jesus, then moving on to the deal struck with NOS and running again come the end of his mandate. You can find the full interview here. 

Under-13 coach Pedro Coelho and skipper Armando Silva on Pontinha win

Speaking at the end of his side's XXXV Pontinha International Tournament win, Sporting's under-13 coach Pedro Coelho proved satisfied with what is Alvalade's 10th time claiming the silverware.

“We had to work hard, but it was a fair win, especially considering hwo we have played. We were the most consistent team, although of course the lads were a bit nervous. That is only normal at this age. We had a lot of chances, three or four with only the keeper to beat, and maybe a bit of nerves got in thr way. This win started on Thursday, but the work we have been putting in all season was really important", said Coelho at the conclusion of the tournament.

Under-13 captain Armando Silva was also happy with the win: "We are all really satisfied. We had a good tournament and we fought hard right up until the end. We believed in ourselves and we did it."

Alvalade youngsters lift trophy for third consecutive year

Sporting's under-13 team beat the Spanish side Cordoba to win the XXXV Pontinha International Tournament this weekend, with a penalty shootout win after a 0-0 draw at full time. This is the 10th time, and third consecutively, that Sporting has won the prestigious competition. The Alvalade youngers finished with six wins in six displays, scoring a total of 21 goals without conceding once. Sporting dominated the Portuguese XI, with a total of five athletes in action.

Sporting beat FC Porto 3-0 on the way to the final, after dominating their group with eighteen goals.

Tournament results in full

Final

SPORTING CP-Cordoba, 0-0 (3-2, pens.)

3rd and 4th

FC Porto-Benfica, 0-2

Semi-final

Cordoba-Benfica, 0-0 (3-2, pens.)

SPORTING-FC Porto, 3-0

Saturday

Santa Clara-Benfica, 0-9

FC Lissois-SPORTING, 0-8

Rec. Huelva-CA Cultural, 10-0

FC Porto-Nacional, 6-1

Friday

Nacional-CA Cultural, 7-0

Rec. Huelva-Cordoba, 0-3

SPORTING-Benfica, 1-0

Santa Clara-Getafe, 0-6

FC Porto-Cordoba, 0-1

Nacional-Rec. Huelva, 0-2

FC Lissois-Getafe, 0-6

SPORTING-Santa Clara, 7-0

Thursday

Benfica-FC Lissois, 10-0

Getafe-SPORTING, 0-2

CA Cultural-FC Porto, 1-8

Córdoba-Nacional, 2-1

Benfica-Getafe, 3-1

Santa Clara-FC Lissois, 0-0

CA Cultural-Cordoba, 0-7

Rec. Huelva-FC Porto, 0-0

Draw with Russia leaves Portugal needing a win

The national under-19 team were held by Russia this weekend, on matchday two of Euro Elite Round Group 6.

With Alvalade stars Com Pedro Silva and Pedro Empis in Emílio Peixe's starting line-up, Portugal were actually leading 1-0 at the break, courtesy of a goal form Pedro Delgado (41’). However, the Russians managed to split the points with a last minute strike from Obolski.

The result means that Portugal must win on Tuesday if they are to move on in to the European Championship Finals.

Igualdade a uma bola no segundo particular realizado hoje em Melgaço

Portugal's under-20's were held by Holland in a friendly this week, hosted in the Melgaço Sports Complex.

Sporting youngster Ivanildo Fernandes again featured in Edgar Borges' starting line-up, while Jorge Silva was introduced in the second-half for Hildeberto Pereira. After a goalless first-half, Zakaria El Azzouzi netted in the 48th minute, before Romário Baldé leveled 16 minutes from time.

Jorge Jesus on Johan Cruijff, who passed away age 68 this week

Jorge Jesus added his own words to a growing list of tributes to Johan Cruijff today. The Alvalade coach actually spent a spell with Cruijff in 1993, when the Dutchman was heading up Barcelona's Dream Team.

“As a coach he was a real idol for me for his art and creativity on the pitch, but what made me really like him was the way he set his team out at Barcelona. It is the same idea that is still used today, by Luís Enrique. It was a really unique culture. It was completely out of the normal, a really attacking style. Cruijff saw football a lot differently compared to everyone else. For him, football was an art. It wasn't just for the sake of it that he said he would prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0. For Cruijff, it wasn't enough to win. The team had to put on a show and Barcelona still think like that today. He passed that idea of Total Football on to Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Today we lost a man who gave a lot of ideas and respect to the game", Commented Jesus, adding: "I was also a bit influenced by the idea that just winning isn't enough. I am a big fan of that idea and that is how I see football, but there is only Cruijff. He is one of the mentors of modern football."

Portugal open Euro qualifiers with dominating display

The national under-19 team opened their Euro Elite Round campaign off to a convincing start this week with a 4-0 win against Sweden in Vila do Conde.

With Alvalade stars Pedro Silva and Pedro Empis in the starting line-up, Portugal were already 3-0 up at half-time, courtesy of Alexandre Silva (13’) and Buta (23’ and 24’). Gonçalo Rodrigues finished off the scoresheet in the 64th minute.

The winner of each group will qualify for the Euro finals, to be played in Germany.

International magazine highlights Sporting's rise in recent years

Sporting CP continues to attract the attention of the international press following a recent article by France Football, this time with the British publication World Soccer picking Sporting for its front cover for the month of April.

The magazine highlights Sporting's rise over recent years, coinciding with President Bruno de Carvalho's mandate and the changes that the Alvalade chief as put in place. The arrival of Jorge Jesus, a different approach in the transfer market and a huge investment in the youth system all get a comment throughout the extensive article. As would be expected, Bruno de Carvalho's battle with funds also get a mention, as well as the brilliant support shown by the fans so far this season.

You can read the full article here.

Alvalade midfielder scoops yet another award

João Mário has been named as the Professional Football Player's Syndicate for the month of February, after having already won the award in January.

The Sporting midfielder, who is currently away on international duty, won a total of 16.94% of the vote, beating the Guimarães keeper Miguel Silva (13.72%) and Iuri Medeiros (11.62%), who is currently out on loan..

The voting is tallied from the choice of the Player's Syndicate (40%) and sports journalists and is for players under the age of 23.

PPFL announces coming Liga NOS fixtures

The Portuguese Professional Football League has announced the dates for the next two Liga NOS matches, coming up after this weekend's international break.

Sporting will make the short trip to Restelo to take on Belenenses at 21h00 on Monday the 4th of April, before hosting Marítimo at 20h45 on Saturday the 9th of April.