Four Sporting youngsters to feature in Euro 2017 friendlies

The battle for a place at Euro 2017 begins in November and coach Hélio Sousa is gearing up with a series of friendlies.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis in list of 23 which also features Sporting's Daniel Podence, Tobias Figueiredo, Francisco Geraldes and Domingos Duarte

National under-21 coach Rui Jorge has called up 23 players for the Euro 2017 qualifiers against Hungary and Liechtenstein, for which Portugal has already secured qualification.

Rúben Semedo and Pedro Empis (making his under-21 debut) both feature in a squad that also includes on loan Sporting players Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense) and Tobias Figueiredo. 

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: André Moreira (At. Madrid), Bruno Varela (V. Setúbal) and Miguel Silva (V. Guimarães);

Defenders: Domingos Duarte (Belenenses), Edgar Ié (Villarreal), Fernando Fonseca (FC Porto), Pedro Rebocho (Moreirense), Rúben Semedo (Sporting CP), Pedro Empis (Sporting CP) and Tobias Figueiredo (Nacional);

Midfielders: André Horta (Benfica), Bruno Fernandes (Sampdoria), Francisco Geraldes (Moreirense), João Carvalho (Benfica), João Teixeira (Wolves), Rony Lopes (Lille) and Rúben Neves (FC Porto);

Forwards: Simão Azevedo (Braga), Bruma (Galatasaray), Daniel Podence (Moreirense), Diogo Jota (FC Porto), Gonçalo Guedes (Benfica) and Ricardo Horta (Braga).

Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw draw on UEFA Youth League matchday 2

Sporting might have snatched points from the jaws of defeat in Madrid on UEFA Youth League matchday 1, but it was exactly the opposite at the Sporting Academy this week, with the team from Alvalade conceding a last minute goal to Legia Warsaw.

Tiago Fernandes made three changes from matchday 1, introducing Luís Maximiano, Tiago Djaló and André Franco for Pedro Silva, Ricciulli and Miguel Luís.

The Sporting under-19's were actually under the watchful eye of Jorge Jesus, who made the trip to the Academy to see the next generation in action. Despite Sporting dominating the opening half an hour, the first real chance of the afternoon was made to wait until the 19th minute, when Pedro Marques was denied by Majecki one-on-one. The Polish keeper might have got the best of the first round, but he certainly didn’t in the second, when the Sporting forward latched onto a pass from Diogo Bragança to fire in the opener.

The goal actually saw Sporting somewhat lose their way for the rest of the half and Legia began to hold down a bit of possession. Szymanski fired a shot off the bar in the 35th minute, before Djaló brought down Szcepanski in the area that would have drawn the Polish visitors level, had Luís Maximiano not ensured otherwise in the Alvalade goal.

Legia’s pressing eventually paid off, when Ryczkowski’s shot was parried by the Sporting keeper into the path of Kulenovic for the equaliser.

Tiago Fernandes was not happy and began to ring the changes, bringing on Nuno Moreira and Elves Baldé after the break. The move proved to be a stroke of genius and it took Moreira just 17 minutes to put sporting back into the lead, netting with a superb placed effort into the top corner.

The goal lifted Sporting going into the final stages and Fernandes’s side looked to be heading for the win, before Szczepanski blasted in an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area with just seconds left on the clock.

The draw leaves Sporting in third place on two points, behind B. Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Alvalade youngsters open UEFA Youth League with draw

Sporting put in a solid performance in this season's UEFA Youth League opener against Real Madrid this Wednesday afternoon, securing a 1-1 away draw.

Although facing one of Europe's giants, Sporting put in a brave performance and dominated for most of the first-half, courtesy in part to Tiago Fernandes' well chosen strategy of winning the midfield battle. 

Unfortunately Sporting's dominance was not converted into goals, with a sterling performance in defensive and midfield failing to translate in the final third. 

Half-time arrived with the scoreboard blank, with Sporting have tried their luck on goal seven times compared to Real's one.

Sporting didn't look quite as secure after the restart, largely due to Real Madrid's positioning further up the park. Both sides battled away to get a foothold and chances naturally followed. Diaz Velazquez gave the hosts the lead with a 55th minute strike against an isolated Pedro Silva.

In response Tiago Fernandes gambled in the final stages, introducing Rafael Leão and Nuno Moreira in search of an equaliser. Three opportunities went wanting from Daniel Bragança and Elves Baldé, before Pedro Marques finally did justice to the result three minutes into injury time, after Abdu Conté led a break down the left flank.
 

Sporting youngsters travel to the Spanish capital for a three-day tournament

Madrid will also Sporting's youngsters this week. While the attention may be on the Champions League, both Alvalade's under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League and under-15 B side in the Madrid Football Cup will be action.

Sporting's under-15's are actually the reigning champions and will face opposition this time around from West Ham, New York SC, FC Nordsjaelland, Saint J. Boys and Rayo Vallecano. 

João Vargas' side will open againt Rayo Vallecano on the 16th (9h50CET), before facing FC Nordsjaelland at 12h20 the following day and then New York SC at 16h40. 

The following day will see Sporting face Saint J. Boys (9h50) and West Ham (11h30).



 

Tiago Fernandes includes 18 for Youth League matchday 1

Sporting's under-19 side will face their Real Madrid counter parts in the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium this Wednesday at 17h00, in the UEFA Youth League.

Coach Tiago Fernandes has travelled with a total of 18 players.

Squad list in full:

1 - Abdu Conté
2 - André Franco
3 - Bruno Paz
4 - Bubacar Djaló
5 - Daniel Bragança
6 - Elves Baldé
7 - Filipe Semedo
8 - Gonçalo Vieira
9 - Jefferson Encada
10 - João Oliveira
11 - João Ricciulli
22 - Miguel Luís 
13 - Nuno Moreira
14 - Pedro Ferreira
15 - Pedro Marques 
16 - Pedro Silva
17 - Rafael Leão
18 - Thierry Correia 

Alvalade president sets off for Johannesburg to unveil new football schools

The transfer market had barely slammed shut when Bruno de Carvalho took off for South Africa, where the Sporting president will officially open two Sporting Academy Schools and meet with the region's Sporting Supporters' Clubs.

Bruno de Carvalho began the journey to Johannesburg on Thursday, where Sporting will is now expanding horizons after opening a facility in Canada and beginning the construction of a further 10 in China.

Alvalade you team being South African adventure to a close with 3rd place finish

The adventure in South Africa for Tiago Fernandes' side finally came to an end this weekend, with Sporting's under-19 team finishing 3rd in the DURBAN U19 tournament after a 3-0 loss in the semi-finals to the local side and a 3rd/4th place play-off win against KZN Academy (5-1).

Tiago Fernandes reflects on DURBAN U19 showing

Sporting have made an absolutely epic trop to South Africa for the DURBAN U19 tournament this week, in what was at times a logistical nightmare.

Despite some less positive results, the Alvalade youngsters did themselves proud after just 10 days of pre-season training.

“The first match against was against Golden Arrows, who were really good physically. Even after an 18-hour trip I thought we played well", said coach Tiago Fernandes commenting on the tournament, adding: "We had more opportunities against Arsenal, but they scored when they could. We will still go into the next round if we win and if someone wins between Arsenal and Golden Arrows. I am happy with the spirit that the lads have shown."

Alvalade youngsters open with a draw and a loss

Sporting's under-19 team are taking part in the DURBAN U19 this week in South Africa.

After being held to a draw by Golden Arrows on the 27th of July, Sporting missed out 1-0 to Arsenal on the 30th of July. The third and final match of the group will be against KZN Academy.