Assistant coach Raúl José on win against Moreirense

Raúl José stepped in for Jorge Jesus in Saturday's post match interview, after Jorge Jesus was shown red in the last 15 minutes against Morirense.

“It didn't look to me like he deserved to be sent off and that is all I have to say about it", opened Rául José, adding a word on the weekend's opposition: "We were expecting a hard game. We did out job and we won the three points. Moreirense are a really aggressive side who play some direct football, but I thought we controlled the match well."

Rúben Semedo on Sporting's win in Moreirense

Rúben Semedo again featured along side Sebastián Coates at the heart of the Sporting defence this Saturday, contributing with a cleansheet that puts the Alvalade side back at the top of Liga NOS.

“We knew it would be difficult to play here, but we did well. The squad is confident and it was a deserved win. Even if we hadn't scored early it would have been hard, but we did our job and we defended well", said Semedo at the final whistle.

Sporting CP reclaim Liga NOS top spot with solo strike from Slimani

Sporting CP moved back onto the top of the Liga NOS pile this Saturday night with a battling win against Moreirense, courtesy of a 16th minute strike from Islam Slimani.

With the Liga NOS top spot up for grabs, Sporting showed their intentions early on to go on the attack and Jorge Jesus' side could have taken the lead from the very first play, when Slimani forced a corner that ended up harmlessly wide of Stefanovic's goal. Moreirense responded down the other end with a chance of their own, with a corner from Fábio Espinho headed just wide of the mark by André Micael. Not to be outdone, Sporting charged back and a break away from João Mário down the right ended up with the ball at Bryan Ruiz's feet, but the Costa Rican was unable to get his shot away. The next opportunity came when Adrien was brought down at the edge of the area for a free-kick and Bryan Ruiz stepped up for the resulting set piece, only to be denied by a decent save by Stefanovic.

Sporting continued to press and it paid off in the 16th minute, when Teo Gutiérrez found Schelloto with a delicate pass that the Italian-Argentinean diverted on to Slimani. With the goal at his mercy, the Algerian did what he does best and gave Sporting a deserved lead. The goal did little to slow up the team from Alvalade, while Moreirense could do little but resort to dead ball situations in reply. on 35 minutes, Nildo called Rui Patrício into a rare bit of action, with the Sporting keeper instinctively parrying away for a corner from the Brazilian's free-kick. Three minutes later, Teo Gutiérrez could have doubled his side's lead, but the Colombian came up just inches short of a cross from João Mário.

Looking to add a bit of comfort to their lead, Jesus' side continued to turn the screw and give minutes before the break João Mário tried to curl in a guided shot, but his effort finished the wrong side of the crossbar after a breakaway spearheaded by William Carvalho. Teo Gutiérrez actually had the ball in the back of the Moreirense net just before the break, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The second-half got underway with the masses of traveling fans pushing Sporting for a second and the players responded with a wave of forays forward. Around the hour mark, Teo Gutiérrez had the goal at his mercy, but he was unable to keep his header on target. To their credit, Moreirense had attacking intentions of their own and did manage to force the odd slip up out of Sporting. However, a second goal for the visitors always looked more likely than an equaliser for the hosts and next it was William Carvalho to threaten, but he was unable to find the back of the net with his header following a Bruno César corner.

To add a bit of late drama, Bruno Paixão actually sent off Jorge Jesus after Rafael Martins put a hard tackle in on Schelloto, right in front of the Sporting bench. Jesus appealed for the referee to discipline the foul, but Bruno Paixão saw fit to instead send off the Sporting boss.

Trailing by just a single goal, the hosts rallied late on with some moves down the flanks, but Sporting stood firm. On 86 minutes Adrien dribbled his way through the middle, but once again the ball ended up off target. Sporting might not have scored a second, but Moreirense were even further away from an equaliser and as the final sounded the three points headed for Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus on Saturday's visit to Moreirense

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday afternoon for his usual pre-match press conference, ahead of a potentially trip to 14th placed Moreirense.

"Experience tells us that it is always hard to play in Moreira de Cónegos. Moreirense are a strong team at home and we know that, but we are ready for whatever they throw at us", affirmed the Sporting coach, highlighting his side's current form: "We have been really strong recently and I think we will be in Moreira de Cónegos as well, with the help of our fans.”

Commenting on the fact that Sporting have played more matches than any other side this season, Jesus proved pleased with what is actually now an empty medical room: "We have played more matches, but the lads are all in foot shape. Thankfully we don't have any problems right now in terms of injuries, except Bruno Paulista. That is great for a coach."

The Sports Journalist Association has named Adrien Silva and João Mário in the running for Player of the Year, while Gelson Martins and Iuri Medeiros feature in the Revelation of the Year and Francisco Geraldes in the Ledman LigaPro Player of the year nomination list. A fact, of course, not wasted on Jorge Jesus: "It is the result of the work we have been putting in, which is getting the best out of a lot of the players. They are quality players, which makes things a lot easier. We are really happy with the nominations."

Moreirense-Sporting CP will kick-off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

Sporting CP with two names in Sports Journalist Association list

João Mário and Adrien are included in a list of five players shortlisted for the Sports Journalist Association's 2016 Player of the Year Award. Also in the running are André André, Jonas and Rafa.

Sporting CP also had two players in the list for Revelation of the Year, namely Gelson Martins and the on-loan Iuri Medeiros. In the list for Ledman LigaPro player of the year, Sporting B's Francisco Geraldes is in the running along side André Silva, Ewerton, Pedrinho and Platiny.

Voting will take place on the 29th of April, with winners announced on the 2nd of May.

Bruno Paixão named for Liga NOS matchday 30

Bruno Paixão, 31, from the Setúbal Football Association, has been named to take charge of sporting's visit to Moreirense, on Liga NOS matchday 30.

António Godinho and Rodrigo Pereira will act as linesmen.

This will be Bruno Paixão's second Sporting match of the season, following the matchday 22 visit to Nacional.

Moreirense-Sporting CP will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim Almeida de Freitas.

National team to face Argentina Argentina, Algeria and Honduras

The national Olympic football team will feature in Group D in Rio 2016, along with Argentina, Algeria and Honduras.

the Portuguese will open on the 4th of August against Argentina in the João Havelange Olympic Stadium, before facing Honduras three days later in the same stadium. On the 10th of August, Portugal will face Algeria in Estádio Mineirão.

Draw in full:

Group A: Brazil, South Africa, Iraq and Denmark

Group B: Sweden, Colombia, Nigeria and Japan

Group C: Fiji, South Korea, Mexico and Germany

Group D: Honduras, Algeria, Portugal and Argentina 

Sales begin on Wednesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 30, between Moreirense Futebol Clube and Sporting Clube de Portugal, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices (from 10h to 20h) as follows:

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016

THURSDAY | Club Members

FRIDAY | General Public

Kick-off is scheduled for 20h45 this Saturday, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Tickers are priced at 13€ (North Goal End) or 20€ (Central).

William Carvalho on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

William Carvalho rounded off a week which saw him celebrate his 24th birthday with a goal against Marítimo on Saturday, in a match which also saw him step in as skipper in place of the suspended Adrien Silva.

“We played really well. We were really powerful in attack and strong in defence. We showed a lot of heart and we are in the fight for the title. It was nice to score and help the team, but the most important thing now is that we focus on our next match", said the Portuguese international, going on to add a word for the fans: "Yey again we have their help. They have been absolutely fantastic this year and I hope it carries on."

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was understandably pleased with another clinical display in front of goal on Saturday night, this time with his team easing past Marítimo.

“It was a good win. It was as hard as we thought it would be, based on how Marítimo have been playing. They are a well structured side and they showed that tonight. We were very pragmatic I thought, although we didn't have as many chances as we usually do. We know we can't make mistakes at this stage of the season and that obviously brings a bit of anxiety with it. We have five games to go and we are in the fight", opened Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Again questioned about the influence of pressure on his side, Jesus played it cool: "The players don't know how the other matches are going and I never want to know either. Any team playing for the title has to be ready all the time and that it what makes the difference. This team has been a good surprise for me and we have built the mentality of a champion in just eight months, which normally takes years."