SPORTING - CL automatic - Page 14 - TalkSoccer

Frank Cunha · 09-03-2004, 12:50 AM

Sporting win to keep up pressure on leaders Porto

LISBON, March 7 (Reuters) - Two early goals in two minutes gave second-placed Sporting a 2-0 away win over Beira Mar late on Saturday to keep the pressure on league leaders Porto.

The champions, who meet Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie on Tuesday, top the table with 65 points, seven ahead of Sporting and 17 clear of third-placed Benfica who play Gil Vicente on Sunday.

Sporting took the lead on nine minutes from a penalty by captain Pedro Barbosa after Beira Mar defender Toni Lopes fouled Brazilian striker Liedson Muniz.

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Two minutes later Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback headed the ball in from close range.

The last 15 minutes were played in dense fog. Beira Mar ended with 10 men after midfielder Pedro Levato was sent off for a foul on Sporting striker Luis Lourenco in injury time.

Meanwhile, Boavista fired their Bolivian coach Erwin Sanchez, who as a player helped Oporto's second club to win its only league title in 2001. Boavista lie sixth in the standings.

Two goals from South African striker Benni McCarthy helped Porto cruise to a 4-1 win over Belenenses on Friday.

Defender Ricardo Costa and playmaker Deco Souza completed the rout for Porto, the only unbeaten team in the league after 25 matches.

**Lemmy** · 09-03-2004, 12:56 AM

The pressure is less than before since the lead between Porto and Sporting is greater than before.

Frank Cunha · 09-03-2004, 02:40 AM

7 points

**Lemmy** · 09-03-2004, 02:54 PM

With 8 games left :danc:

Frank Cunha · 10-03-2004, 10:30 PM

they still got to play Benfica and Beira-Mar, so expect to lose 6 pts

**Lemmy** · 11-03-2004, 04:41 PM

I hope so :thumbsup:

Frank Cunha · 15-03-2004, 07:24 PM

Sporting vs Alverca to starter in 25 minutes

**MUFC** · 20-03-2004, 02:01 PM

by Gerrit van Leeuwen
Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon are believed to be leading the chase for PSV Eindhoven hit-man Mateja Kezman.
The 24-year-old is considering his future at PSV and is thought to be keen on a new challenge.

The striker's contract runs until 2005 and he has so far stalled over talks over a new deal at the Phillips Stadion.

The Serbo-Montenegrin international is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe and there is sure to be a mad scramble for his signature should he leave PSV.

The likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool are all thought to be admirers of Kezman and Birmingham City are the latest club to be linked with the former Partizan Belgrade ace.

Reports in Holland suggest that Sporting Lisbon are so far the only club to declare their interest in Kezman by making discreet enquiries for him.

Lisbon see Kezman as the man to help them challenge Porto's dominance in Portugal, but is thought that the skilful forward would not be interested in a move to Portugal preferring to move to one of the bigger leagues in Europe.

**Lemmy** · 20-03-2004, 06:50 PM

I don't see how Kezman would want to go to Portugal.

tyrus · 20-03-2004, 07:17 PM

i don't see how he'd want to go to sporting

Frank Cunha · 20-03-2004, 10:19 PM

half time
Rio Ave-3-Sporting-0
goals by Evandro, Jaime, Paulo Cesar

Frank Cunha · 20-03-2004, 10:32 PM

Miguelito U21 with a great play to brazilian Evandro, #14 for the season

Rio Ave-0-Sporting-4

Frank Cunha · 20-03-2004, 10:42 PM

first lost by Sporting in 5 months

Frank Cunha · 20-03-2004, 10:55 PM

with Rio Ave win
:
FC Porto (CL) 68
Sporting C.P. 61
Benfica (UC) 54
Nacional 43
Braga 43
Rio Ave 40
-----------------------
Maritimo 39
Boavista 37
Beira Mar 36
Moreirense 33
Gil Vicente 31
Alverca 29
Uniao Leiria 29
Belenenses 24
Academica 22
Vitoria Guimaraes 22
Pacos Ferreira 21
Estrela Amadora 13

**Lemmy** · 22-03-2004, 03:40 PM

Who here enjoyed Sporting's 4-0 loss to Rio Ave? I sure did :mrgreen: