João de Deus on his side's draw with Gil Vicente and the injury to Seejou King

The serious injury picked up by Seejou King unsurprisingly overshadowed João de Deus' post-match press conference on Saturday afternoon, after his side's draw with Gil Vicente.

"We aren't happy, especially because we have lost another player to a serious injury. Even if we had have won, it wouldn't be the same with what has happened", opened the Sporting B coach, adding: "In relation to the match, it was split between both teams. When they had a player sent off, Gil Vicente fell back and we dominated. However, we let in another goal from a deadball situation. We knew Gil Vicente are dangerous from that kind of thing and we didn't do well enough to stop them."

Speaking specifically on the injury to Seejou King, João de Deus said: "I don't think anything more has to be said. The way everyone is feeling right now is enough. It is a tough time for us all and we have to get through it. Something similar had already happened with Mauro Riquicho. We hope the two recover as quickly as possible and can start helping the team again."

Francisco Geraldes on his side's draw with Gil Vicente and injury to King

Francisco Geraldes mirrored his coach's comments after Sporting B's draw with Gil Vicente, overshadowed by the injury to Seejou King.

“We don't know anything yet, but an injury to a teammate is the worst thing that can happen. Although we don't know exactly what happened, unfortunately it will take a long time. In relation to the draw, of course we are not happy because we wanted the three points. We have to look at where we went wrong and put it right for our next match. Gil Vicente closed in defence, but we were expecting that. Now we will focus on winning the three point ts against Ac. Viseu."

Afternoon marked by serious injury for King

Sporting B were held to a 1-1 draw by Gil Vicente this Saturday in a match marked by a serious injury picked up by King just before half-time.

The encounter got off to a balanced start, with the ball largely bogged down in midfield. As a result, the first chance on goal didn't come until after quarter of an hour, when Rafael game close after taking advantage of a defensive slip. Five minutes later, Labyad pulled a fine save out of the home keeper, before Rafael Barbosa also saw another effort denied by the Gil Vicente shotstopper.

The afternoon looked to be heading for half-time incident free, before a tackle from Goba saw Seejou King come away with a serious injury and the Gil Vicente player sent off.

Sporting B tried to make the most of the extra man and on 58 minutes Ryan Gauld followed up on a rebound shot by Viola to open the scoring. However, the lead only lasted for seven minutes, as Djamal leveled for the hosts.

The result keeps Sporting B in second place with 29 points.

João de Deus on the weekend's trip to Barcelos

Sporting B will travel to Barcelos tomorrow to face Gil Vicente, on II Liga matchday 17. Speaking with the press in a pre-match press conference, João de Deus affirmed the encounter as a chance to put right last Wednesday's loss in Chaves.

“We will be looking to do what we tried to do in our last game: to win. That is always our intention, no matter who we play against. Unfortunately that didn't happen in Chaves. We were close, but an error cost us", opened the Sporting B coach, before looking more specifically at Gil Vicente: "Gil Vicente still haven't lost at home in the league, but we are ready. Quick counter-attacks have been our best weapon, but it isn't our only way of getting a teams. We want to dominate as much as possible and of course we know that we will do that more sometimes than other, but we are ready."

To finish, João de Deus congratulated Gelson Martins and Matheus for their performance with the senior squad in the Europa League on Thursday night: "With every game this season, more and more examples are coming out that help to motivate the lads and to show them that they are really close to reaching the top level. We are really happy for Gelson, Matheus and Daniel, who are all earning their place. That makes us work even harder to get more players through."

Gil Vicente-Sporting B will kick off at 16h00 on Saturday the 28th of November, in Estádio Cidade de Barcelos.

Alvalade defender wins award for August and September

Domingos Duarte has been named as the Professional Football Players Syndicate Young Player of the Month for the months of August and September.

The Alvalade defender tallied a total of 12.94% of the vote, just 1% ahead of fellow Sporting player Pedro Silva (11,65%).

João de Deus happy with Sporting B performance against Penafiel

Sporting B coach João de Deus highlighted the quality of his side's performance against Penafiel this Sunday afternoon, claiming a convincing 4-2 win.

“It was important for us to win, but more important than that was for us to play some quality football again. We scored early and that set things out the way we like it, giving us space to go forward on the break", said the Alvalade boss at the final whistle, adding: "We beat a quality side today and I am sure Penafiel will soon climb up the table. We have the quality in the squad to be fighting for the top spots. Others will get their chance as well."

Fabrice Fokobo's reaction to Sporting B's 4-2 win against Penafiel

Fabrice Fokobo was given his 13th consecutive Sporting B start this weekend, going on to complete 90 minutes in a convincing 4-2 win against Penafiel.

Speaking with radio journalists at the final whistle, the midfielder stressed the importance of what has been a solid week for his side: "It was important to win another three points. This is a tough league and it important that we keep turning in wins. We did it again today and I am happy to be able to do my part in that. Wins give you confidence and we managed to build on the three points in Oliveira de Azeméis. We are happy with the result."

Sporting B put four past Penafiel to tighten grip on second in II Liga

Sporting B added to the midweek win against Oliveirense with a superb showing against Penafiel this weekend, on II Liga matchday 15.

Penafiel started the afternoon with two corners, but it was Sporting B who first found the back of the net, with a speedy move down the left in the 5th minute by Sacko. Just a minute later the Frenchman could have scored a second after latching on to a ball floated in behind the visiting defence, but Ângelo Meneses managed to divert away for a corner.

Excessive stoppages in the midfield slowed the pace of the encounter and Penafiel managed to hold down the majority of possession, but without really threatening the Sporting B goal. In contrast, João de Deus' side were looking deadly on the counter-attack and soon made it 2-0, when Mama Baldé was brought down in the penalty area for a spot kick that Labyad converted on.

Podence was next to try his luck, pulling a stop out of Coelho, before Penafiel finally created this first chance with 25 minutes on the clock. Sporting B smartly managed proceedings as the half progressed and the scoreboard could well have been kept ticking over, but Francisco Geraldes' chipped effort was clawed off the line.

Penafiel came out stronger after the break and quickly went about building two opportunities through Yero (51') and Ângelo Meneses (55'), but Pedro Silva was on hand to keep Sporting B in front. João de Deus' side continued to do damage on the counter and a minute before the hour mark Francisco Geraldes rounded off some superb dribbling by Podence to make it three-nil.

João Paulo struck back for the visitors in the 68th minute after some confusion in the area, but Sporting B again pushed forward and some brilliant link up play between Podence and Viola put the score well and truly beyond doubt. Penafiel did have time for a consolation goal five minutes before the final whistle, but the three points always looked destined to stay in Alvalade.

The result keeps Sporting B in second place in II Liga with 28 points, with only FC Porto B ahead.

Braga Football Association referee for II Liga matchday 15

Hélder Lamas, 35, from the Braga Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting B ao Penafiel, on II Liga matchday 15.

José Caldeira and Nélson Cunha will act as linesmen.

Sporting B-Penafiel will kick off at 15h00 on Sunday the 8th of November at the Sporting Academy and will be broadcast live on Sporting TV.

Labyad and Sacko on target for Sporting B

Sporting B were back in winning form in II Liga this week, beating Oliveirense 2-1 courtesy of goals from Labyad and Sacko.

With Zezinho covering the middle of the park with Fokobo, Francisco Geraldes was free to break forward and after just three minutes the team from Alvalade was already threading goal, with Viola coming close. Oliveirense did battle their way back into the game and took the lead though Stéphane Madeirain the 25th minute, but Sporting B soon bounced back and dominated the rest of the half.

Strikes from Labyad and Sacko after the break secured a well-deserved win, tallying another three points and moving up to 2nd place in II Liga.