Portuguese Cup third round on the 18th of October

The Portuguese Cup third round draw has handed Sporting a visit to Vila Franca de Xira to take on Vilafranquense, in a calendar that will see every I Liga side play away from home.

“Every opponent deserves respect. Sporting can’t think about anything but winning the competition again this season”, said Sporting SAD representative Sancho Freitas at the draw.

Draw in full:
Loures (CNS))-Boavista (I)
União-Rio Ave (I)
Vianense-Benfica (I)
Leixões-Arouca (I)
Gil Vicente-Tondela (I)
Sanjoanense-Académica (I)
Coruchense-V. Setúbal (I)
Varzim-FC Porto (I)
Penafiel-V. Guimarães (I)
Ac. Viseu-Sp. Braga (I)
Naval-P. Ferreira (I)
Mosteirense-Nacional (I)
Gondomar-Estoril (I)
Sertanense-U. Madeira (I)
Lusit. Lourosa-Marítimo (I)
Vilafranquense-SPORTING (I)
Olhanense-Belenenses (I)
Desp. Aves-Moreirense (I)
Operário-Salgueiros 08
Farense-Rio Tinto
Trofense-Pedras Rubras/Santa Clara
Coimbrões-Fafe
Casa Pia-Oriental
Amarante-Bragança
Louletano-Desp. Chaves
Cova da Piedade-Alcanenense
Malveira-Praiense
Angrense-Torre Moncorvo
Atlético dos Arcos-Caldas
Pampilhosa-Portimonense
Famalicão-Feirense
Leiria and Marrazes-Benfica Castelo Branco

Jorge Jesus on his side's win in Vila do Conde

Jorge Jesus was happy with another three points this Sunday, keeping his side at the top of the I Liga table.

“It was a difficult game like we thought it would be and it isn’t easy to win here. We played really well in the first-half. While the lads were relaxed we were really aggressive both in attack and defence. After that we have Rio Ave too much space and it made it harder for us, particularly down the left. We conceded a goal that we really didn’t have to, but we came close to making it 3-1 as well. Our objective was the three points and we got them”, opened the Alvalade coach in a post-match press conference.

Jesus went on to reveal some of his technical decisions: “I felt we were buckling a bit down the left and with João Mário it got a bit worse. After that, with Mané there, we sorted the problem about and got forward again. Carrillo and Bryan struggled a bit at the end. Sporting, Rio Ave and the referee deserve a well done for this game.”

Adrien, who scored Sporting’s first with a first-half penalty, also highlighted the quality of side’s performance: “It is always hard to come here, but we did well. Rio Ave didn’t create any clear chances. We didn’t have that much possession, but we controlled the game and we could have scored at the end as well.”