Nuno Dias full of praise for his players after securing a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round

Another UEFA Cup Main Round encounter and another heavy defeat inflicted by Sporting, this time against Halle-Gooik.

"It was a great game, both in defence and when we had the ball. We showed rhythm and we created chances against a really good side", said Nuno Dias at the final whistle, continuing with an analysis of the encounter: "They really pushed us. Defending for almost 40 minutes against 5 is really tough. Not having possession means you have to focus a lot and any mistake can let your opponent in for a goal. The lads were great tonight."

As for where he setting his sights, Nuno Dias didn't pull his punches: "Getting into the Elite Round isn't enough for us. We came here to play three matches and preferably to win all three. We want another good result and a good performance."

Merlim happy with Sporting CP's guaranteed Elite Round place

Alex Merlim was the voice chosen to represent Sporting CP after Thursday's UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round win against FP Halle-Gooik and the securing of a place in the Elite Round.

"The lads deserve a pat on the back for how we played, but first place isn't guaranteed yet. Saturday will be decisive", said Merlin in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: "It is always nice to score, but the more important thing is to win. It will be a hard match against Real Rieti, but we came here to get three wins and to go through in first."

Nuno Dias's side breeze past Belgian champion

Coming to UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round matchday two full of confidence after a convincing win against MNK Sarajevo (7-1), Nuno Dias's side beat the Belgian champions FP Halle-Gooik 5-1 to gurantee a a place in the compeition's Elite Round.

On target for sporting was Caio Japa, Diogo, Merlim, Leo and Fortino.

Sporting CP still have to face the hosts Real Rieti on Saturday, with the luxury of a place in the next round already secured.

Nuno Dias happy with his side's comfortable UEFA Futsal Cup opening win

"We were able to control their strong points. The lads did what I asked them to do and we dominated", said Nuno Dias after Sporting's 7-1 win against Centar Sarajevo this Wednesday, going on to comment on tomorrow's encounter with Halle-Gooik: "It will be harder, I have no doubt about it. Halle-Gooik have some quality players, but fortunately for us we have a lot of options in the squad and we can manage any tired legs."

Léo Jaraguá on Sporting's UEFA Futsal Cup opener

Léo Jaraguá made his Sporting debut and toasted it with a goal this Wednesday, contributing to Sporting CP's 7-1 win against Centar Sarajevo in the UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round.

"We started strong. This result will build confidence for the other matches and help us get into the Elite Round", said Léo at the final whistle, adding a word on tomorrow's opponent, Halle-Gooik: "It will be harder tomorrow and that means we will have to prepare properly and start even stronger."

Sporting CP bursts out of the blocks in UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round Group 5

Sporting CP couldn't have made a better start to the season's UEFA Futsal Cup campaign if they tried, with Nuno Dias' side putting in a superb display and bagging seven goals in the process.

Pedro Cary faz on Wednesday's UEFA Futsal Cup opposition

Pedro Cary joined coach Nuno Dias for a meeting with the press on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the start of UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round Group 5.

Wednesday's opposition takes the form of Centar Sarajevo, who Pedro Cary obliged with an well informed analysis: "In theory they are the easiest team for us in the group. I say in theory, because we don't know a lot about them and we have to finish top of the group. They have a strong pivot playing for them and we have to prepare ourselves. Knowing what we are capable of will be key for us winning our first match."

Nuno Dias looks ahead to the UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round

The countdown to the UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round has begun, with Sporting set to take on Centar Sarajevo at 17h00 on Wednesday in Group 5.

The Alvalade coach Nuno Dias sat down with the press on Tuesday afternoon, to share his thoughts on the coming encounters: "In all of the other groups every team in our group would qualify. We don't know a lot about the teams we will face and we won't have a lot of time to adapt, because there isn't even a training session before the second match", said the Sporting futsal coach.

Sporting CP beat Clarvaux 28-0 in a friendly in Luxemburg

The Clarvaux Arena in Luxemburg witnessed one of the finest displays of attacking futsal this weekend, with Sporting beating the Luxemburg side by a staggering 28-0.

Diogo was Sporting's top scorer with 7 goals, followed by Cavinato on six, Caio Japa and Varela with four, Dani with a hattrick and finally Deo, Mesquita, Paulinho and Marcão with goals of their own. 

Futsal director Miguel Albuquerque on a tough UEFA Main Round draw

Sporting CP will again take part in the UEFA Futsal Cup this year, this time playing in the Main Round from the 11th to the 16th of October. The competition draw has put Sporting in Group 5, along with Belgium's Halle-Gooik, Italy's Real Rieti and the winner of Qualification Group D (Centar Saravejo, Istambul Universitesi SK, Lynx FC, or FC Baltija).

The two top teams will move into the Elite Round, along with the automatically qualified Inter FS, Ugra, Kairat Almaty and Dinamo.  

Miguel Albuquerque, head of Sporting's futsal department has already responded to what has been dubbed the 'group of death': "It wasn't a nice draw for us and it is a hard group. We will face the Italian runner-up, who are one of the best teams in the country, the Belgian champion, who reached the Elite Round last year, and the winner of Group D, who will be a good team too. However, we want to reach the Final Four and to of course win it."