Diogo setting his sights on UEFA Futsal Cup silverware

Sporting CP beat Real Rieti 4-0 this weekend, in a match that saw Diogo net a fantastically acrobatic strike.

"We have to improvise when that sort of thing happens. I pulled it off an I am really happy to have helped the team", said the 31-year old, before going on to reflect on his side's UEFA Futsal Cup campaign so far: "We had three great matches. We scored a lod of goals again today and we played really well. We were serious from start to finish. We have a squad to go far in this competition. We came close in the Final Four we hosted in Lisbon and now we will go for it again."

Sporting CP secures third straight UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round win

After easing past Centar Sarajevo (7-1) and FP Halle-Gooik (5-1), Sporting CP beat UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round hosts Real Rieti (4-0) this Saturday.

For the opening whistle Nuno Dias sent out Marcão, Léo, Merlim, Cavinato and Fortino and it wasn't long before his side pulled in front, with Déo setting up Diogo in the 5th minute for a sensational acrobatic finish. One minute later Caio Japa made it two, before second-half strikes from Merlim (35’) and Fortino in the final minute.

Miguel Albuquerque reveals Sporting's bid to host the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round

With Sporting CP's place in the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round secured, department director Miguel Albuquerque is already looking to make a bid to host the competition in the Portuguese capital.

"The bid is decided. It is already done and will be sent to UEFA. We have until the 18th to do it formally. We had already done it informally in case we qualified and now we have. We will send the documentation to host the Elite Round once again", affirmed Albuquerque in an interview with Sporting TV.

The Alvalade futsal chief went on to explain the reasoning behind the bid and what to expect in terms of opposition: "Four seeded teams come into the competition in the next round and we will be in a group with one of them. If we don't host the competition, then we will have to travel and lose the home advantage. This bid is really important in terms of sports, because we have only failed to get into the Final Four once when playing at home. Our first objective is guaranteed now, which was to get into the Elite Round. Now we will have another match to play on Saturday to finish in first place, which will be important in the draw for the next round."

Nuno Dias full of praise for his players after securing a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round

Another UEFA Cup Main Round encounter and another heavy defeat inflicted by Sporting, this time against Halle-Gooik.

"It was a great game, both in defence and when we had the ball. We showed rhythm and we created chances against a really good side", said Nuno Dias at the final whistle, continuing with an analysis of the encounter: "They really pushed us. Defending for almost 40 minutes against 5 is really tough. Not having possession means you have to focus a lot and any mistake can let your opponent in for a goal. The lads were great tonight."

As for where he setting his sights, Nuno Dias didn't pull his punches: "Getting into the Elite Round isn't enough for us. We came here to play three matches and preferably to win all three. We want another good result and a good performance."

Merlim happy with Sporting CP's guaranteed Elite Round place

Alex Merlim was the voice chosen to represent Sporting CP after Thursday's UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round win against FP Halle-Gooik and the securing of a place in the Elite Round.

"The lads deserve a pat on the back for how we played, but first place isn't guaranteed yet. Saturday will be decisive", said Merlin in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: "It is always nice to score, but the more important thing is to win. It will be a hard match against Real Rieti, but we came here to get three wins and to go through in first."

Nuno Dias's side breeze past Belgian champion

Coming to UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round matchday two full of confidence after a convincing win against MNK Sarajevo (7-1), Nuno Dias's side beat the Belgian champions FP Halle-Gooik 5-1 to gurantee a a place in the compeition's Elite Round.

On target for sporting was Caio Japa, Diogo, Merlim, Leo and Fortino.

Sporting CP still have to face the hosts Real Rieti on Saturday, with the luxury of a place in the next round already secured.

Nuno Dias happy with his side's comfortable UEFA Futsal Cup opening win

"We were able to control their strong points. The lads did what I asked them to do and we dominated", said Nuno Dias after Sporting's 7-1 win against Centar Sarajevo this Wednesday, going on to comment on tomorrow's encounter with Halle-Gooik: "It will be harder, I have no doubt about it. Halle-Gooik have some quality players, but fortunately for us we have a lot of options in the squad and we can manage any tired legs."

Léo Jaraguá on Sporting's UEFA Futsal Cup opener

Léo Jaraguá made his Sporting debut and toasted it with a goal this Wednesday, contributing to Sporting CP's 7-1 win against Centar Sarajevo in the UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round.

"We started strong. This result will build confidence for the other matches and help us get into the Elite Round", said Léo at the final whistle, adding a word on tomorrow's opponent, Halle-Gooik: "It will be harder tomorrow and that means we will have to prepare properly and start even stronger."

Sporting CP bursts out of the blocks in UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round Group 5

Sporting CP couldn't have made a better start to the season's UEFA Futsal Cup campaign if they tried, with Nuno Dias' side putting in a superb display and bagging seven goals in the process.

Pedro Cary faz on Wednesday's UEFA Futsal Cup opposition

Pedro Cary joined coach Nuno Dias for a meeting with the press on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the start of UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round Group 5.

Wednesday's opposition takes the form of Centar Sarajevo, who Pedro Cary obliged with an well informed analysis: "In theory they are the easiest team for us in the group. I say in theory, because we don't know a lot about them and we have to finish top of the group. They have a strong pivot playing for them and we have to prepare ourselves. Knowing what we are capable of will be key for us winning our first match."