​Despite dominating play, the team fall 0-2 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a surprise 0-2 defeat to GD Chaves by 0-2 at the Estádio José Alvalade, on Matchday 4 of the Liga Portugal season. Two goals in quick succession in the second half meant that the team emerged empty handed.

Without the injured Jovane Cabral and Paulinho for the game, coach Rúben Amorim also made three changes to his starting XI. Ricardo Esgaio replaced the suspended Pedro Porro on the right wing, Nuno Santos took the place of Matheus Reis on the left and debutant Rochinha joined Francisco Trincão and Marcus Edwards in attack. Pedro Gonçalves dropped back to team up with Manuel Ugarte in the midfield.

GD Chaves, recently promoted to the top flight and coached by Vítor Campelos, were missing captain João Teixeira through suspension.

In the opening moments, Nuno Santos took advantage of a loose ball on the edge of the area and shot powerfully, with the drive flying just wide

Os Leões started with an offensive dynamic, looking to find spaces in the opposition half, and shortly after they came close to scoring again: First, from long distance, Gonçalves shot hard and hit the post; soon after, Rochinha appeared in a good position in the box, but his header went off target.

Opportunities followed one another for the home team, with Pedro Gonçalves testing the goalkeeper's reflexes once again, before the pace dropped.

In the minutes before halftime, Sporting CP struck wide from distance through Rochinha, Gonçalo Inácio hit the post with a header, Trincão almost took advantage of a ball that goalkeeper Paulo Vítor couldn't catch and, finally, Rochinha tried his luck again, with the stopper holding onto the effort.

For the second half, Amorim changed his defence and switched Luís Neto for Matheus Reis. The chances continued, as Inácio headed wide and, soon after, Edwards forced Paulo Vítor into an excellent stop. In response, the Trás-os-Montes created their first noteworthy move in the match, but Antonio Adán was solid in response.

Before the hour, Hidemasa Morita came in for Ugarte, who had picked up a yellow card. On the next move, GD Chaves made it 0-1 through Steven Vitória, off a free kick into the area. That lead was increased to 0-2 moments later, with a goal from Juninho Vieira.

In response, Jeremiah St. Juste was introduced in place of Esgaio, and Sebastián Coates was moved up into the attack as a makeshift forward. Rodrigo Ribeiro was subbed on for Rochinha, and Sporting CP went on the hunt for goals with frequent crosses into the area.

In the final minutes, the clearest chance went to Ribeiro, who shot into the hands of Paulo Vítor. Just before the full time whistle, Patrick Fernandes was sent off for GD Chaves, who held on to take all three points.

Os Leões will play on Saturday, September 3rd, away to GD Estoril Praia on Matchday 5.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto (Matheus Reis, 45'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Jeremiah St. Juste, 65'), Manuel Ugarte (Hidemasa Morita, 60'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincao, Rochinha (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 74') and Marcus Edwards.