Daniel Podence reflects on Sporting B's win against Gil Vicente

One of the crucial pieces of Sporting B's recent string of results, Daniel Podence was again in fine form against Gil Vicente. Speaking with radio journalists following the afternoon's action, the young striker was keen to thank his teammates: "It is always nice to score and to play well, especially when the team wins, but if it wasn't for the rest of the team I wouldn't be able to live my dream. It was a great win against a really difficult team. It was really competitive and the first-half was really balanced, but we scored from a well rehearsed play and then Francisco Geraldes pulled off a brilliant pass to set me up."

Two first-half goals enough to sink Chaves at the Sporting Academy

Sporting B beat one of Ledman LigaPro's strongest sides at the Sporting Academy this Wednesday, with two goals in the first twenty minutes.

The first opportunity of the afternoon came through Daniel Podence - who would be a constant pest for the opposition defence - as he controlled well with his back to goal after an excellent pass from Ryan Gauld. However, the Sporting B striker hesitated and eventually hit the woodwork. The warning shot had been fired and a goal came from Sporting B's second chance, this time with Podence turned creator down the left flack, before crossing a ball in that Francisco Geraldes guided home at the far post.

Chaves struggled to stop Sporting's well constructed football and Podence again had another chance to get his name on the scoresheet after Ponde forced a mistake out of goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro. However Podence was once again unable to capitalise.

Chaves responded and pushed back up the other end, but Mama Baldé positioned himself well to turn away for a corner. The hosts' rally didn't last long and Podence compensated for his earlier misses with Sporting B's second goal. Pedro Martins won back possession in the midfield, before releasing Daniel Podence for a superb finish when through against Paulo Ribeiro.

The second goal saw João de Deus side drop back and chances consequently began to thin out for the rest of the half, with the exception of one offside ruling after Sporting B had again found the back of the net.

The second-half was much of the same and although Chaves held down more possession, Sporting B looked largely untroubled in defence and played out the rest of the fixture to claim the three points. 

Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence take part in presentation ceremony

Via Real de Santo António will host a 10th consecutive 'Mundialito' this year, from the 19th to the 27th of March. The event, which is the world's biggest 7-a-side international tournament, is now in its 23rd edition. Event founder Ricardo Godoy and Alvalade stars Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence sat down with the Sporting website to speak about out the importance of the tournament.

“We are 23 years on and more than 80,000 players have taken part in the tournament. A lot of them are doing well internationally now. David Silva, Pedro Rodriguez and Bartra for example. It is a World Cup for every kid", affirmed Ricardo Godoy, adding: "Rui ´Patrício was at the first Mundialito that we presented in Lisbon back in 2006. Years later, now Rui Patrício is who he is."

Sporting B star Daniel Podence also had the opportunity to take part in the event. "It was one of the best tournaments I took part in. In Lisbon we were used to playing against smaller teams and the Mundialito gave us the chance to expand out horizons a bit", said Podence. Gelson Martins also gave his backing to the tournament: "Players like us, who game through the youth system, know how important these tournaments are for young players and getting ready for the future."