Ronaldo 2.0 comes off the bench to net twice

Ledman LigaPro was far from a regular encounter, with the first-half lasting for 66 minutes. Why? Because it was in the 67th minute that Ronaldo Tavares was introduced off the bench and absolutely set fire to the afternoon.

The hosting of Santa Clara was one of the most competitive matches played so far this season at the Sporting Academy. The visitors from the Azores arrived on the continent in third place in the league standings, while João de Deus were in resurgent form despite conceding a draw last week.

Only Clemente and Matheus Pereira looked really threatening before the introduction of Tavares and it was Clemente who opening the scoring with an unstoppable header past Pedro Silva. Pereira responded with an exquisite free-kick, before Pedro Silva got his revenge against Clemente with a penalty stop in the 50th minute.

Then came a tornado in the form of Ronaldo Tavares, who needed just 12 minutes to put Sporting B into the lead after linking up well with Pereira. Berny Burke when then shown a direct red card for a violent tackle, before Ronaldo Tavares headed in his side's third after a wire guided cross from Pedro Empis.

João de Deus frustrated by last minute draw

Coach João de Deus was left evidently disappointed after his side's 2-2 draw against Olhanense this weekend, after throwing the lead away twice.

“In the first-half we had a lot of chances to score. We were better than our opponent and we could have finished more. We felt a bit hard done by with the score at half-time, but it was our own fault. In the second-half Olhanense had more of the ball and controlled things a bit more. We conceded, but we reorganised ourselves and equalised naturally enough. Then the typical problem with B teams full of young players hit us. Only a young team lets in a goal that late in the match", said the Sporting CP B coach at the final whistle.

Sporting CP B led twice in Olhão before last minute goal split the points

Sporting CP B were held to a 2-2 draw against Olhanense this weekend, after the hosts snatch equaliser in added time.

In contrast to the final stages, the start of the encounter couldn't have been better for João de Deus's side, as Mama Baldé broke through the middle and set up Leonardo Ruiz for a superb chipped finish. Seconds later, Matheus Pereira skilled his way past two defenders and drove a dangerous cross into the box Ruiz came up just short of converting.

Sporting CP B continued to control proceedings and looked the most likely to find the back of the net again. On 21 minutes Pedro Delgado had a good opportunity following a counter-attack, but his host was turned away by the home defence. Olhanense did attempt to rally just before half-time, but Pedro Silva's goal was rarely troubled.

The break wasn't well managed by Sporting CP B, with the Alvalade youngsters opting to fall back instead of pressing Olhananese. The hosts made the most of the opportunity to take the initiative and soon equalised through Cissé. Buoyed by the goal, Olhanense began to throw numbers forward, in the process leaving space open for counter-attacks led by Matheus Pereira. It was precisely from one of the Brazilian's moves forward that Sporting CP B resorted the lead, with a move finished off by Budag.

To give credit to Olhanense, the hosts didn't through in the towel and deep into added time Tiago Barros split the points.

Sporting CP B turn in another win on Ledman LigaPro matchday 12

Preparation for Sporting B's hosting of Leixões got underway with a win against Freamunde during the week and João de Deus's side put in a mature performance on Sunday afternoon to tally another three points. It took just two minutes for Sporting B to find the back of the net, when Matheus Pereira picked out Ruiz for a smart header across goal.

Matheus and Ricardo Esgaio led most of the Alvalade attacks in a dominating showing that kept Leixões from so much of a sniff on goal until thr 14th minute, when Chiquinho called Pedro Silva into a rare stop.

The second-half was the same again, with Ruiz again netting, this time after confusion in the area following a corner.

Two minutes after the hour mark Pedro Empis almost bagged what would have been one of the goals of the season with a cross that almost dipped in at the far post. Leixões responded with their first positive looking spell of the afternoon, but a red card in the 64th minute dashed the visitors hopes of points, despite Ludovic reducing the difference with a shot from point blank range after what appeared to be a handball in the build up.

João de Deus looks ahead to Sunday's Ledman LigaPro encounter

Sporting CP B got a tight list of three consecutive fixtures off to a start against Freamunde during the week and Leixões are next up, kicking off at 16h00 at the Sporting Academy.

Coach João de Deus sat down with the press on Saturday to share his thoughts on the encounter: "We will look to play our kind of football. If we do that, we will be closer to getting the win. If we don't, then it will be a hard afternoon against a solid team who have a lot of pace. The lads are more used to playing together now and we know a lot more about what each player can bring to the squad.."

Sporting CP B claim three points on the road with last minute strike

Sporting CP B claimed a battling win against Freamunde (3-2) this week, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 11. It was the hosts who opened the scoring, courtesy of a 19th minute strike from Leandro Pimenta, before Pedro Delgado (27') and Bilel (33') put Sporting into the lead. Just before the break, Rui Rainho levelled.

João de Deus's side showed a real patience after half-time and finally snatched the victory with just one minute of regulation time remaining.

João de Deus's side pay proud tribute to 1964 Cup Winners' Cup

Sporting B were held to a 2-2 draw against MTK Budapest this week, in the inauguration of the Új Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium. Sporting's goals were scored by Ronaldo Tavares (23') and Matheus Pereira (50'), while József Kanta and Poór Patrik netted for the hosts.

The match brought back memories of Sporting's 1964 Cup Winners' Cup victory against the Hungarians and the famous goal scored directly from a corner by Morais.

On the whole it was a slow paced encounter, with the 9º temperatures sapping most of the pace out of both sides. Matheus Pereira put in another one of his typically brilliant performances and at the final whistle both sides could walk away happy with the result.

João de Deus's side take on Desportivo das Aves in postponed Ledman LigaPro matchday 8 fixture

Sporting B slipped to a 2-0 away defeat in Vila das Aves this Sunday afternoon, after two strikes from Luís Barry (63' and 75'). This weekend was actually reserved for the international break, however Sporting B had to catch up with their matchday 8 postponed fixture.

João de Deus expecting a tough trip to Vila das Aves

Sporting B will take on Desportivo das Aves this weekend, in a postponed Ledman LigaPro matchday 8 encounter.

“We are expecting a hard game. Along with Portimonense, Aves are one of the sides looking at promotion. They play with two forwards and really go on the attack at home. A lot of their players are used to playing in the first division", explained coach João de Deus in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "We want to keep tallying up the points so that we get into a better looking position in the league."

João de Deus's side rack up second consecutive Ledman LigaPro win

Sporting B turned in a second consecutive win this weekend, this time with a battling performance against the traditionally tricky Académica do Viseu.

The only goal of the afternoon came courtesy of Matheus Pereira (31') after an excellent opening spell from João de Deus's charges that could have seen the team from Alvalade run away with the result.

"It was tough. We had a brilliant half an hour but couldn't open up a bigger lead. We knew one break would be enough to get a goal", said João de Deus at the end of the encounter, adding: "The lads are all come out of a youth system where they could dominate and this type of match gives them experience and helps them grow."