Sporting B slip to defeat on II Liga matchday 23

Sporting B lost out to Sp. Braga B 1-0 at the Sporting Academy, on II Liga matchday 23. João de Deus' side created more than enough chances to claim the spoils at the final whistle, however a clinical touch proved lacking in front of goal.

The game got off to a lukewarm start, with neither side threatening in the final third with the exception of a dangerous shot from Dramé that ended up in the side-netting and a clearance from Francisco Geraldes that thankfully finished up wide of his own goal.

The midfield battle finally broke in the 32nd minute, when Dramé found space down the right and put in a deep cross for Sacko, only for the Alvalade forward to put his header wide. Down the other end, Carlos Fortes put Braga B ahead after the visitors had won back possession in the area.

Sporting B took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second-half, but a ruthless streak in front of goal was missing and chance after chance went wanting. On 48 minutes, Sacko missed two golden opportunities: firstly from a header after a cross from Francisco Geraldes; then after some battling work in the area that was eventually smothered by the Braga B keeper, Tiago Pereira.

João de Deus responded by pushing his team into a more offensive footing, changing Zezinho for Fokobo and a few minutes later Cissé was put into the attack along side Ponde in an unusual 4x2x4 shape. On 62 minutes Francisco Geraldes saw a shot from range stopped by Tiago Pereira, before Sacko squandered another opportunity to equalise.

The last 20 minutes saw Braga B completely pegged back into their defensive third, but chances for Cissé in the 84th minute and Mama Baldé and Diogo Salomão in added-time were all unable to do justice to the final score.