Francisco Barão stands in for João de Deus

Francisco Barão stepped in for João de Deus in a post-match press conference this Sunday, with the Sporting B coach currently suspended after seeing a red card earlier in the week.

“We could have secured the result a lot earlier. After going 2-0 up we had two or three more chances and we could have been ahead by three at half-time. Santa Clara's goal and the sending off obviously conditioned the game a lot. We really have to give the lads credit for reacting well after the red card. They are young, but the way they responded is a good sign for the future", opened the Sporting B assistant coach, going on to add a word on the appearances of first team regulars Paulo Oliveira, Tobias Figueiredo, Matheus Pereira and André Martins: "The B team is also a chance to give the lads a run out and we can take advantage of their experience. When we needed to close ranks we had the first team players with us."

Sporting B continue Ledman LigaPro revival

Sporting B continued their recent revival of form with a 2-1 win over Santa Clara this weekend, courtesy of strikes from Cristian Ponde (5') and Daniel Podence (29').

It really was a game of two halves at the Sporting Academy. João de Deus' side, although the Sporting B coach watched from the stands after being sent off midweek, made a dominating start, moving possession around well and thoroughly deserving an early goal. Mama Baldé put in another sterling performance at left-back, this time building Cristian Ponde's 5th minute goal with a pass into the middle of the 18-yard box. Secured by the early strike, Santa Clara fought back into the encounter and on 13 minutes the visitors came close to leveling through Hamdou, but Stojkovic pulled off a stop on his line to keep Sporting B ahead.

The team from Alvalade were soon back in control and a minute before the half-hour mark Podence doubled his side's lead after Mama Baldé battled back possession an released Matheus Pereira for the eventual pass that was converted by Daniel Podence. Six minutes before the break, Rúben Ribeiro could have made it three, but his header was finally cleared away after defecting off the crossbar.

The visitors from the Azores looked more determined to make a game of it in the second-half and after just a minute of play they were threatening goal, after Stojkovic failed to smother that ended up at the feet of Clemente. The Sporting B keeper tried to deny the resulting opportunity, but was only able to bring down the Santa Clara front man for a penalty and a red card. Guilherme Oliveira was called on off the bench and the young goalkeeper repaid the confidence with a save from 12 yards. Not to be dissuaded, Santa Clara continued to press, but Sporting B stood firm despite being a man down and managed to hold off the visitors' late rally.

Pedro Campos names for Ledman LigaPro matchday 35

Pedro Campos, 32, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting B's hosting of Santa Clara.

Renato Barqueira and Bruno Ferreira will act as linesmen.

This will be Campos' third time officiating over Sporting B, after matchday 14 against Oliveirense and matchday 25 against Mafra.

Sporting B-Santa Clara will get underway at 11h on Sunday the 13 of March, at the Sporting Academy.

João de Deus sent off, but happy with his side's 3-1 win

João de Deus saw the first red card of his career this Wednesday. However, with spirits high after seeing his side win for the five outings, the Sporting B coach proved willing to speak with the press at the final whistle. "I think I owe an apology, because I am a father of two and I was sent off. I asked if it would be worth us coming out for the second-half and I want to speak about what happened, because it is the first time in many years that I have been sent off. I accept that I was sent off, but I don't except that Tiago (Sporting B goalkeeping coach) was", said the Alvalade boss.

Although without their coach on the sidelines, Sporting B scored twice in the second-half to close out a 3-1 win. “It wasn't only in the second-half that we should have been ahead by two goals. In the first-half we also had the best chances to score. Daniel scored and I think he would have had another one, but he was stopped by an opponent in a debatable situation. In the second-half we showed more quality and it is normal that Sporting B's players are better than Atlético in terms of quality", affirmed Deus, going on to finish: "The difference between the first and the second-half was that we played some more serious stuff."

Sporting B rediscover winning form

Sporting B rediscovered their winning form this Wednesday with a convincing 3-1 victory against fellow Lisbon side Atlético. It was the Alvalade midfield that particularly stood out over the 90 minutes: Ryan Gauld managed to key passes, while Francisco Geraldes and Kikas created another.

Sporting CP needed just 11 minutes to open the scoring, when Podence finished off an excellent pass from Gauld. Atlético then drew level against the run of play courtesy of Cephas Malele, a few minutes after Cristian Ponde could have extended his side's lead from an excellent chance on goal. Half-time arrived with the sides deadlocked, but João de Deus' side finally ran away with the result in the second-half. Domingos Duarte rubber stamped an excellent performance with a goal in the 66th minute after a free-kick from Francisco Geraldes, before Betinho came off the bench and netted his side's third after two just minutes following another deadly pass from Ryan Gauld.

João de Deus reflects on his side's draw with FC Famalicão

While praising the competitive edge shown by both sides in Sporting B's draw with Familicão this Saturday, João de Deus proved disappointed with the number of chances wasted on goal.

“The result isn't a reflection of what happened. We have three or four really clear chances and we were the better side. There was a clear difference in the individual quality of the players. We should have won, but it finished 0-0 because we wasted opportunities. I don't remember Familicão having a single good chance on goal", said the Sporting B coach, before speaking about the inclusion of senior side regulars Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Pereira, Paulo Oliveira and Tobias Figueiredo: "The lads who have come in to help bring extra motivation and it ups our game."

Both sides battle for the points but chances on goal were few and far between

Ledman LigaPro matchday 33 between Sporting B and Familicão got off to a well disputed start, with neither side having the opportunity to build a real chance on goal. Sporting enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but a creative spark was missing when moving into the final third. Both defensive lines had obviously done their homework, with some clinical defending denying virtually every move going forward, until Esgaio floated in from the right flank in the 12th minute, but the Sporting B skipper was unable to trouble the Familicão keeper with the following shot. The visitors managed to get a foothold for a period and in the 14th minute Felix Baxinho created their only really notable effort of the half with a move down the right, but Leandro was unable to connect with the resulting cross.

The second-half proved more dynamic and a series of corners followed in the opening minutes, as both teams managed to develop play in their respective opposition halves. Sporting were looking more determined to take a grip of the encounter and Francisco Geraldes managed to pick out Cristian Ponde, but the Sporting number 49's shot was off target. The warning shot had been fired and goals only didn't follow thanks to Emanuel's display in the Familicão goal. After first denying a header from Cristian Ponde following a corner, the visiting keeper made a brilliant save from a stinging shot by Matheus. Down the other end, Stojkovic was only called into action seconds before the final whistle, but Medeiros' chance never really looking threatening.

Francisco Geraldes sits down with Sporting TV ahead of the weekend's action

Sporting CP will host FC Famalicão at the Sporting Academy this weekend, in Ledman Liga Pro.

Speaking with Sporting TV in the build-up, Francisco Geraldes praised Familicão for there fantastic league campaign so far, but guaranteed that his side will be looking to claim the three points: "We are expecting a hard game against the team that is currently in third, but that doesn't scare us and we will play for the win like we always do. They have had some good results, but I wouldn't put that down to how they play, because they play pretty much the way they always have. We haven't won for a while, but I am sure that we will go on a good run when we do."

João Matos named for Ledman Liga Pro matchday 33

João Matos, 31, from the Viana do Castelo Football Association, will take charge of Sporting B's hosting of Famalicão, on Ledman Liga Pro matchday 33.

João Brito and João Pedro Morte will act as linesmen.

This will be the second time João Matos officiates a Sporting B match this season.

Sporting CP B-Famalicão will get underway at 15h00 on Saturday the 5th of Match, at the Sporting Academy.

João de Deus reflects on Saturday's loss to Olhanense

The Sporting B coach took a moment to speak to gather radio journalists at the final whistle of his side's loss to Olhanense this Saturday, in Ledman LigaPro matchday 32.

“It was a good first-half from us. We didn't have any clear chances, but neither did Olhanense. In the second-half both sides had an opportunity and Betinho scored an unlucky own goal. It happens sometimes and today it happened to us. Not a lot happened after that and the weather didn't help at all. A draw would have been fairer", said João de Deus at the final whistle, finishing: "Some players made their debut today. Obviously so many of the lads going through to the senior team takes its toll, but that is how the club works and we will do our bit. We are here to help the players develop so that they get a chance in the senior team."