Battling 3-3 draw against FC Dynamo qualifies Nuno Dias's side for UEFA Futsal Cup showdown

Sporting CP are once again in the UEFA Futsal Cup Final Four and it is thoroughly deserved. Nuno Dias and Co. are the only side to have come out on top against a seeded team, with Kairat Almart (Group A), Ugra Yugorsk (Group B) and Inter FS (Group C) all topping their respective groups.

Skipper João Matos opened the afternoon's scoring with a brilliant volley that almost blew the roof of the Odivelas Multiuse Arena with an absolute eruption from the capacity crowd. It was just the first of three Sporting CP goals brought about from set pieces. The notched up the pressure in response, while Merlin came close to extending the lead on two occasions.

Nuno Dias on Sporting CP's 16-1 win against Târgu Mures

Nuno Dias was understandably happy with his side's dismantling of Târgu Mures this Friday night, tallying an amazing sixteen goals.

"All we were focusing on was winning. We had the benefit of knowing that we needed 12 goals and the lads were motivated to go out there and do it. I just tried to keep everyone relaxed and to keep the pace up. I knew if we did that then the result would follow", opened the Alvalade futsal coach, adding: "We focused more on how we were playing than the result. The way we were pressing and moving the ball around was always going to bring results in the second-half. There is no way our opponent could have kept up with us."

Nuno Dias's side tally amazing total to take control of Group D

Building on last night's 4-1 win against ETO Gyor, Sporting CP demolished a spirited Târgu Mures side on Friday night. The final result of 16-1 was also enough to better FC Dynamo's totals so far, moving Sporting CP into first in the group and meaning that a draw is enough for the team from Alvalade to claim a place in the Final Four.

Despite the expressive final result, it was actually a game of two very distinct parts. Sporting CP were determined to score, but a bitter of overenthusiasm going forward saw too many shots attempted from range. The result read 3-0 at half-time, with two of the goals coming as a result of Marcão moving up the pitch. In fact, it was the Alvalade custodian who opened the evening's scoring, blasting into the top corner from range.

A reaction was expected from Nuno Dias's side after the break and it certainly came. Pace and class in possession put the Romanians under unbearable pressure and the goal tally quickly ran out of control. Varela was first to strike, pretty much with the blow of the opening whistle, and in 10 minutes Sporting CP fired in a total of eight goals to take an 11-0 lead. With 12 the target, Sporting CP continued to push and more goals naturally came. There was also time for Târgu Mures to get a consolation goal of their own, with a cheeky effort from range lopping over Gonçalo Portugal. 

Nuno Dias happy with his side's Elite Round showing

"Of course I am happy. Our objective was to open with a win", said Nuno Dias after watching his side beat Eto Gyor on UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round group D matchday 1.

The Alvalade futsal coach went on to reflect further on the match and what the rest of the tournament is likely to hold: "I said we would be playing against a really strong team who would give us a hard time. It was a good match for both teams and the win was down to us sticking together during the harder moments. Congratulations to Gyor, they are a quality side. Tomorrow Targus might be a big dismissive in relation to the final result, which will open the game up and give us more opportunities. Let's wait and see."

Nuno Dias's Lions convince in Elite Round opener

The stage might be different, but Sporting CP's form certainly wasn't on Thursday night, as Nuno Dias's side dismissed ETO Gyor with a 4-1 win in the Odivelas Multiuse Arena.

More than 1,800 spectators turned out for the encounter, which saw both sides push the pace from start to finish in what was an enticing game of top quality futsal. Cavinato was the first to find the back of the net, amazingly with just 16 seconds passed on the clock!

Everything looked to be under control, but the Hungarian visitors were not about to throw in the towel so easily and despite Sporting CP's best efforts goalkeeper Matkovics kept his side within touching distance.

Down the other end, Marcão was also called into action on two occasions (10' and 12'). Honestly 1-0 was not a fair result for either side at half-time and that is probably what gave Sporting CP an extra lift coming out after the break. Diogo finally doubled the lead (21') before Dieguinho blasted a shot in to the top corner three minutes later.

Although with Sporting CP comfortably leading, ETO Gyor refused to give up and Álex pulled a goal back (36'), before João Matos finally settled the result.

Sporting CP sit top of Elite Round Group D along with the Russians of FC Dynamo, who put eleven past Targu-Mures por 11-1.

Daily tickets available at the Odivelas Multiuse Arena

Three-day competition tickets for the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round have now completely sold out. A total of 300 daily tickets will be sold on each day and will be on sale from 12h00 to 19h00 from the Odivelas Multiuse Arena ticket offices.

Nuno Dias announces squad for UEFA showdown

Nuno Dias has revealed his squad list for the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round, which wil see Sporting CP open against the Hungarian side ETO Futsal Gyor at 20h30 tomorrow, in the Odivelas Multiuse Arena.

Squad list in full:

- Gonçalo Portugal

- Marcão

- João Matos

- Caio Japa

- Léo

- Varela

- Pedro Cary

- Djô

- Diogo

- Deo

- Cavinato

- Merlim

- Fortino

- Dieguinho

Coach Nuno Dias on the coming UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round

Nuno Dias was in the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round press room this Wednesday, along with FC Dynamo's Temur Alekberov, Eto Gyor's Marcos Lopez. and Targu Mures's Lucian Nicusan.

The Sporting CP got straight to the point, affirming the importance of starting the competition with a win: "The first game is always really important in this kind of competition and we want to start well. It will be a hard game, because only the best teams are involved at this stage of the competition. Gyor are used to winning and they have a very good Spanish coach as well as some good quality players. Hopefully the home factor will be decisive for us, like it was in Odivelas two years ago. I am really counting on the fans and the match against Inter Movistar two years ago is an example of the motivation they can give us."

Meanwhile the FC Dynamo coach Temur Alekberov proved keen to recognise the quality of the hosts: "Sporting CP have shown in recent years that they can make the most of the home factor. We know the club well, we know coach Nuno Dias and his players. Actually I have already trained Deo. They are a really strong team."

Eto Gyor boss Marco Lopez followed in the same light: "We know Sporting CP well. They are a really strong squad with good players. We are focused on our first match."

Tickets now available from Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices

Tickets for the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round, to be hosted in the Odivelas Multiuse Arena from the 24th to the 27th of November, are now on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices.

Ticket sales are currently exclusively for competition tickets (3 days/6 matches) and will run from the 17th of November to the 23rd of November. Tickets are priced at 10€ for club members and 15€ for fans.

Sporting's futsal department on the coming UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round

The Odivelas Multiuse Arena will once again host the UEFA Futsal Cup Elite Round later this month, but despite what is now quite a tradition of Sporting CP organising the event, director Miguel Albuquerque was still caught by surprise: "the Final Four that we organised in the Meo Arena was considered as the best event ever by UEFA and that only makes us even more determined to carry on doing this kind of thing. I would like to see us put a bid in every time and UEFA trusts us because we are serious. Of course we want to win the competition, but we also want to put on a show."

Coach Nuno Dias also reflected this week on the coming challenge, highlighting the role of the fans: "The fans are really important and they know it. They know how important their support is for us and we hope to see that translate into success. We will be ready and the fans will get behind us."

Coach João Matos also took a moment to speak with the press about the competition, analysing Sporting CP0s opposition: "We really want to get into the Final Four and win it, but we hae to take it one step at a time. We will have some hard games in Odivelas against some good teams, but we are a strong side as well."