Sporting CP's Academy School in Asia visits spiritual home

Estádio José Alvalade welcomed a special visit from the Singapore Sporting Academy School this week. the Sporting Academy project director, Pedro Morgado, hosted the group, led by Paulo Oliveira. The visit rounds off a stay at the Sporting Academy in Alcochete and a walk on the pitch during the weekend's win against Chaves.

During the visit Pedro Morgado spoke about the importance of the facility in the Far East: "It is really important for a number of reasons. It is our first academy in Asia and it is a region with a lot of potential, not just its terms of population but for developing the Sporting CP brand. Our main goal is to make sure Sporting CP is present in every corner of the globe and right now we are on four continents and all we are missing is Australia, where we hope to go soon. The opportunity to come and visit us is part of this project and it is really important for the people who work with us to come and see Alvalade and the Academy. We have travelled out to Singapore and given training, namely to Terry and Terrence who are two lads who really like Freestyle. Now they have come to visit us to see how things work here."

Paulo Oliveira also highlighted the importantance of the visit: "This is really fantastic and is a dream come true for me and the coaches. It is a real honour to be in Alvalade. We know all about the players produced here and we want to do the same thing. The most memorable thing for us has been how people have welcomed us and home humble the young players are in Alcochete. It was incredible. Our Academy School is doing very well. We have a lot of competition from clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, but I think what makes the difference is the Sporting CP philosophy and our training techniques."

One of the Singapore Academy School coaches, Terry Lee, also proved overjoyed with the trip: "It has been great to be at the stadium, the Academy and to go on the pitch. The passion for football here is incredible. Everybody lives and breaths football. It is totally different to the experience in Sinagpore and being here helps us to understand just how big Sporting CP is."

Paulo Oliveira secures his 100th apperance

Paulo Oliveira put the Sporting CP shirt on for a 100th time this weekend. Despite the memorable occasion, the Alvalade defender was left to reflect on a frustrating draw.

"We need to be more effective. We had three our four really good chance to extend our lead and I think Guimarães only had two opportunities. We have 10 matches left now. I am not focusing on how far we are off the top of the league, but obviously nobody likes to be in this position", said Oliveira at the final whistle.

Paulo Oliveira speaks with Sporting TV in a lengthy interview

Paulo Oliveira sat down for an extensive interview with Sporting TV this week. In a relaxed discussion, the central defender started with an appeal for trust.

"Have confidence in the players. They have the quality and character needed and sooner or later they will make everybody smile. Through this negative period we have got together and it is down to us to find solutions. We haven't had to change a lot, because everything we have always done has been with professionalism and sincerity", said Oliveira, going on to respond to a question on how he views himself personally: "I am a relaxed and hard working kind of person. That is part of my personality and I don't want to change it. We mature as we get holder and that is how I approach things. My main characteristic is reading the game and I try my best to understand what might happen."

Oliveira already has a Portuguese Cup and Super Cup to his name in Alvalade and that final win in Jamor is one of his most memorable moments. "The fans really believe in the club and when we win it is great to see how they celebrate. The Portuguese Cup, with the way it was won where we thought everything was lost, was really special", continued the defender, adding an analysis on some of the toughest strikers he has ever faced: "I remember Diego Costa when we played against Chelsea, but also Bas Dost while he was at Wolfsburg. We have spoken about it already and we laughed about a tackle I made that almost ended up with an own goal. It is funny, but thankfully now he plays for my team."

Paulo Oliveira hasn't been a regular this season, but he sees that as a sign of the healthy competition available across the squad: "Sporting CP hsa a lot of quality options for the same position. We fight for a place in the team and it is up to us as players to show that we deserve the confidence of the coach and the president. It is a healthy bit of competition between us."

Paulo Oliveira on Saturday's draw against Marítimo

Sporting CP centreback Paulo Oliveira was the player chosen to speak with radio journalists at the final whistle this Saturday, after his side's draw in Madeira.

"We always try and win the three points, but today we just couldn't do it in a stadium where it is always hard to play. We played well, but set pieces put us in a tough spot. We came from behind and we scored a third goal, but all we can do now is keep on putting the work in", said Paulo Oliveira in an interview with Sport TV, continuing: "Results reflect what you do on the pitch and once again we couldn't get the win. We did everything we could today and we are all responsible for it. We have to keep our heads up, because this is our job and we still believe in winning the title."

Paulo Oliveira, Adrien and Bruno Paulista

Sporting's medical department has released the following update:

Paulo Oliveira: muscle injury to the right thigh – specialised training

Adrien: injury to the right knee and thigh – in treatment

Bruno Paulista: injury to the right thigh – treatment

Patrício, Paulo Oliveira, Jonathan, Adrien and João Mário all named in top 500

A total of five Alvalade stars feature in this year's World Soccer 500, ranking the 500 most important football players on the planet.

Goalkeeper Rui Patrício, defenders Paulo Oliveira and Jonathan Silva and midfielders Adrien and João Mário are the five named.

Paulo Oliveira, Bruno Paulista and Aquilani mingle with the fans in 'El Corte Inglés

Around 100 people were in El Corte Inglês this week to try and grab an autograph from Alvalade stars Paulo Oliveira, Bruno Paulista and Aquilani.

Scalfs, shirts, sticker books and even boots were all put forward to the trio, who happily went about sharing a memorable day with the gathered fans.