It is Sporting who are struggling to maintain a high profile and their lacklustre performance against Olhanense will have done little to assuage their restless fans. Sporting’s problems continue to mount.

In the League Cup game against Second Division Moreirense, the score was 1-1 when they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Matias Fernandez stepped up to take the kick but was pushed aside by striker Bojinov despite protests from his team-mates. The Bulgarian international missed the spot-kick and now faces disciplinary action from the club.

For the game with Olhanense the Lisbon outfit were also without the suspended Elias, whilst Rodriguez, Rinaudo and Van Wolfswinkel were ruled out through injury. To add to their woes Stijn Schaars was injured during the warm-up and replaced by Daniel Carrico in midfield. Olhanense’s new boss, Sérgio Conceição, made just one change to the side that defeated Beira-Mar 2-1 the previous week, Fernando Alexandre replacing Paulo Regula in midfield.

Sporting had the better of the early exchanges but the middle period of the half undeniably belonged to Olhanense. Caue’s header flew just wide whilst at the other end keeper Fabiano pulled off a fine save to deny Carrillo. Sergio Conceição’s men slowly forced Sporting back into their own half.

Salvador Agra and Caue were particularly lively, whilst captain Rui Duarte produced a number of pinpoint crosses from the multitude of free kicks awarded by the referee. Moments after the re-start an Olhanense counter attack saw Yontcha crash a sliding effort off the crossbar.

The Lions then almost took the lead when a short corner to Capel was flicked on to Anderson Polga at the back post, but Fabiano again made a fine save.

It was during the final 20 minutes that Sporting had to call on ‘Man-of-Match’ Rui Patricio in order to maintain an interest in the game. Firstly, the Portugal number one scrambled to his right to block a fierce effort from Wilson Eduardo, but that was to be surpassed by a brilliant double save minutes later.

An Olhanense counter attack saw Rui Duarte play the ball to Agra whose cross found the unmarked Wilson Eduardo.

Incredibly Patricio got across to block the shot, and then raised himself to palm Yontcha’s thunderous volley over the bar. The result will be a boost for the home side although Sérgio Conceição felt his side should have taken all three points. Sporting, nine games without a win, slip further behind Braga and Marítimo in the battle for the third Champions League spot. On Sunday hundreds of Olhanense fans are expected to make the trip to Vitoria de Setúbal, Olhanense’s closest opponents 260 kilometres away!

（The Portugal News）

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The Estadio de Alvalade club were awarded a penalty kick in injury time after Jeffren Suarez was brought down by Augusto inside the area.

Matias Fernandez was about to take the penalty when he was pushed aside by Bojinov, who picked up the ball, despite protests from his team-mates.

The Bulgaria international ended up missing from the spot and now faces disciplinary action from the club.

“In light of the events which took place in the match between Sporting and Moreirense, the board has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Valeri Bojinov,” a club statement read.

“Until the conclusion of these proceedings, the player is provisionally suspended from all activities and is forbidden from accessing the club’s facilities, whether it be the academy in Alcochete or the Estadio de Alvalade.”

Bojinov, who is on a season-long loan from Parma, has scored three goals in 16 appearances for the Lisbon-based club.

（Goal.com）

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Sporting CP to take disciplinary action against Valeri Bojinov is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

From being an average side in France to becoming a hot bed of talent, Paris Saint-Germain have experienced a dramatic turn in fortunes since the summer.

Following the take-over by the Qatari Investment Authority, PSG have radically changed their ideals and are fast becoming a true European giant. The club’s main aim is to lift the UEFA Champions League and they are looking to acquire world-class talent in order to deliver the silverware.

Last year, the Parisians beat Chelsea to the signing of Palermo star Javier Pastore and are now looking to shore up their backline after considerably strengthening the centre of the park. Carlo Ancelotti has taken over the Parc des Princes and is now reportedly searching the market for a top class right-back.

The Italian has turned his attention to Inter Milan’s Maicon but prising the Brazilian out of San Siro is quite a tough task. The wingback has become the undoubted best in his position over the years and played an integral part in Inter’s treble winning campaign.

However the Nerazzurri have fallen from grace in the last couple of months and Maicon may be tempted to join a new club with grandiose ambitions. However Inter will not let their prized asset leave easily and as a backup plan, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Pereira.

The Seleccao International has become a regular for his side after cementing his place at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the 2010/2011 season. Although a full-back by trade, the player has shown his versatility by playing in midfield for the Lions when required.

Having made 46 appearances for the Lisbon giants and scoring 3 goals, Pereira has become a coveted property with the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur also reported to be on his trail.

The Sportinguistas have placed a €7 million price-tag on the player’s services but that figure can easily be matched by the teams interested in him.

Pereira recently commented on the transfer speculation and revealed that he was quite thrilled with the reports that top teams across Europe were looking to sign him.

“It makes me proud and gives me a lot more motivation to work.”

“It is always good to see our name associated with big clubs, but I have my feet on the ground,” the former Benfica man was quoted as saying.

As Inter Milan are unlikely to part ways with Maicon, Joao Pereira is a likely target for Paris Saint-Germain and should be playing in France soon enough, given the club’s new found spending power.

（bettor.com）

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Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Pereira on the radar of Paris Saint Germain is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

Former Portuguese international Neca’s early goal put the away side ahead, but the Eagles upped the tempo and ran out deserved winners.

With Ezequiel Garay, Javi Garcia and Pablo Aimar unavailable due to injury and suspension, Jorge Jesus drafted in Nemanja Matic, Rodrigo and and former Olhanense central defender Jardel.

FC Porto remain in second place with a 2-0 win over lowly Rio Ave at the Estádio do Dragão thanks to a goal in each half from Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez.

Despite the champions losing Hulk to injury after 32 minutes, the result was never in doubt.

Braga beat Sporting to go third and it was an unhappy return to Braga for Domingos Paciencia as his former side leapfrogged Sporting with an impressive 2-1 win.

Goals from Helder Barbosa and Lima gave the Arsenalistas victory with Andre Carrillo getting the consolation for Sporting. Olhanense moved into the top half of the table with their first win since October.

New boss Sérgio Conceição has certainly worked wonders with the Algarve side who showed passion and commitment as they overcame a Beira-Mar side that had only conceded three goals on their travels all season.

Mauricio and Ismaily were impressive in defence whilst veteran skipper Rui Duarte worked tirelessly in midfield. The home side took the lead ten minutes into the second-half when Sporting loan player Wilson Eduardo volleyed home from ten metres.

With ten minutes to go the lively Salvador Agra was felled in the box and Rui Duarte converted his second penalty in consecutive games. 2-0 up and victory looked safe but five minutes later Beira-Mar pulled a goal back when Artur scored from the spot. Salvador Agra and Yontcha failed to convert the easiest of chances for Olhanense as the home fans were on the edge of their seats for the final few minutes.

On Monday, 23 January kick-off 8.15pm Olhanense entertain Sporting. The Lisbon side will be without midfielder Elias who picked up his fifth yellow of the season against SC Braga last Sunday.

（The Portugal News）

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Braga move above Sporting is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

João Carlos, 19, is moving to Anfield after coming to the attention of the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, during a scoring performance in the NextGen series of youth-team matches earlier this season.

The teenager has been talked about in Portugal as being similar to a young Deco but Sporting have financial issues and have decided to accept Liverpool’s offer in keeping with their usual policy of nurturing young players and then selling them for profit.

Carlos has trained with Sporting’s first team this season, but has not made his senior debut.

（The Guardian）

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Liverpool agree £1m deal to sign Sporting Lisbon teenager João Carlos is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

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【VIDEO】Braga 2-1 Sporting Lisbon 15/01/2012 is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

Following a goalless first half at Estadio Municipal de Braga, winger Helder Barbosa opened the scoring for the home side six minutes after the restart.

Brazilian forward Lima added a second on 64 minutes.

And while Andre Carrillo pulled one back for Sporting 10 minutes later, the visitors proved unable to force an equaliser in the closing stages.

The win sees Braga leapfrog Sporting into third place, eight points behind league leaders Benfica.

Sporting meanwhile are down to fourth, now 11 points off the pace.

In other matches, Vitoria Guimaraes defeated Academica de Coimbra 2-0 away from home, thanks to goals from Nuno Assis and Anderson Santana.

Victory lifts Guimaraes above Academica and into sixth place.

Elsewhere, Olhanense saw off the visit of Beira Mar with a 2-1 home win.

Wilson Eduardo and Rui Duarte scored to give Olhanense the lead, before Moreira Artur pulled one back from the penalty spot for Beira Mar.

The visitors finished a man down after Hugo received a second yellow card in the 92nd minute.

Finally, Nacional de Madeira scrambled a 2-2 draw at home to Uniao Leiria, as both teams finished the match with 10 men.

Visitors Uniao led at the break following John Ogu’s opening goal, which was cancelled out by Daniel Joao Santos Candeias three minutes into the second half.

Nacional went behind again and found themselves a man down after Vladan Giljen was shown a red card for a foul inside the box.

Elvis converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 to Uniao, and the visitors looked to be on course to take all three points back to the mainland.

The playing numbers were evened up when Jose Alberto Schaffer was shown a second yellow with 10 minutes to go.

Dejan Skolnik then struck 60 seconds later to make it 2-2 and secure a point for the home side.

（Soccerway）

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The game marks the first return of Domingos Paciência to the club were he consolidated his reputation as one of Portugal’s top up-and-coming coaches. Domingos enjoyed tremendous success at Braga, leading the club to runners-up in the Liga in 2009/10 (their highest ever finish) and the Europa League final the following year.

“Returning to a ground were I was so happy is a very good feeling. I can’t say if it is an advantage for me. The only advantage may come from the fact I know most of Braga’s players and their strong and weak points,” said the Sporting coach.

With Sporting having won only one of their last four Liga matches, Domingos knows his team cannot afford any more dropped points if they want to make a serious challenge for the title this season.

“We are prohibited from dropping any points. To win we will have to put in a much better first-half performance than we did against Académica, FC Porto and Nacional,” added the Sporting boss.

Sporting must make do without top scorer Ricky van Wolfswinkel. Either Bojinov or January transfer window signing Sebastian Ribas will deputise.

Braga go into the match in a hot run of form having won five and drawn one of their last six matches. The Arsenalistas are further boosted by the inclusion of midfielder Luis Alberto in the squad, who was signed from Nacional last week.

“I expect to face a very strong Sporting side,” said Braga coach Leonardo Jardim. “They made a big investment in the summer and this is the strongest team they have had for several years. But despite all the respect we have for Sporting, we want to win the three points,” said Jardim.

Kick-off at 8.15pm local time at the Estádio AXA, Braga on Sunday night.

（LivesoccerTV）

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Sporting Braga vs Sporting CP Lisbon Preview is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

A top four clash always sparks fireworks and that is expected to be the case when SC Braga take on Sporting Lisbon at Estadio AXA on the 15th of January. The Lions are ahead of their rivals in the Primeira Liga albeit only on goal difference which makes this an evenly matched game.

Domingos Paciência’s men have lost a bit of their form following defeat against Lazio and have since won only once, while drawing three. Braga on the other hand have been superb and have won all three of their last games, despite playing away from home in all of them.

The fixture will also hold a special place in Paciência’s heart as he served as the Archbishops’ coach before parting ways with them in order to lead the team at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The game will see the winners gain an upper hand on their opponents and place them into contention for a UEFA Champions League spot. As a result passions are running high and SC Braga’s Lima claims that his side will face a tough team but will be looking to gain three points and nothing else.

“They are considered to be a big club, which were unfortunate not to win trophies. They are a great team. It will be a tough game, but Braga have pretensions to win and continue to fight, at least for a third place, that will help us reach the Champions League again. The whole team will be focused on having a great game.”

The Brazilian also said that his ambitions of reaching the 30-goals mark this season had been hampered by his missed chances, but his commitment to achieving that still remained unnerved.

“It is a difficult goal, but nothing is impossible. I am missing a lot of goals but the important thing is commitment,” the front-man was quoted as saying.

With both the sides prepped for a crucial tie, the match at Estadio AXA on the 15th January will be a great one and Lima is hoping that his team can come out on top.

（bettor.com）

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SC Braga’s Lima wants to win against Sporting Lisbon is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News

One of the most devastating attackers in Portugal, Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been terrorizing defences in the Primeira Liga ever since signing for the club last summer.

His hefty transfer fee piled the pressure on him to deliver but the Netherlands International held his nerve and has fired on all cylinders this season. Having netted a hugely impressive tally of 14 goals in 21 appearances for the Lions, he has also attracted the attention of several top European clubs.

Manchester United are believed to be chasing the former FC Utrecht man and have expressed an interest in acquiring his services. However the Red Devils will have to wait, as the 22-year-old suffered an injury in the Portuguese Cup semi-final against Nacional.

Van Wolfswinkel started the game but had to come off early in the 10th minute, after suffering an injury on his hip. At least that was the suspicion of the Sporting medical staff when they assessed him on the field.

Domingos Paciencia, the manager, also said the same after the ninety minutes and concluded that the player had been struck on the hip.

“Van Wolfswinkel had a hip injury and was unable to move,” the coach said.

However after undergoing further medical examinations, the doctors changed their verdict and said that his abdomen muscles were the infected areas not his hip.

“He might have a possible oblique muscle injury in the abdomen,” revealed a Sporting statement.

With the identification of the injury, Van Wolfswinkel has begun his recovery process but according to reports will still be out for the whole month of January.

Sporting do boast adequate replacements in their squad in the likes of Valeri Bojinov and Jeffren Suarez but will have to do without their main man for games against SC Braga, Moreirense, Beira-Mar and Olhanense.

The Dutch International is scheduled for a return in the Liga Sagres clash with Gil Vicente, but if he hasn’t recovered by that time, he should definitely be in contention for the Portuguese Cup semi-final against Nacional.

（bettor.com）

Ricky van Wolfswinkel set to return in February is a post from: Portugal Football Soccer News