portuguese football

[shed131]

just thought you might be intrested in seeing who tops the portuguese league

LIGA Sagres
Pl Pts
1 FC Porto 18 38
2 Benfica 18 37
3 Leixoes 18 34
4 Sporting 18 34
5 Nacional 18 32
6 Braga 18 29
7 Maritimo 18 29
8 Guimaraes 18 24
9 E. Amadora 18 21
10 Naval 18 20
11 Academica 18 18
12 P. Ferreira 18 16
13 Setubal 18 16
14 Belenenses 18 15
15 Trofense 18 14
16 Rio Ave 18 13



Liga Sagres Top Scorers 2008/09
PLAYER CLUB GOALS
Nene Nacional 14
William Pacos de Ferreira 8
Meyong Braga 8
Wesley Leixoes 7
Lucho Gonzalez FC Porto 7
Hulk FC Porto 6
Liedson Sporting 6
Rodriguez FC Porto 6
Cardozo Benfica 6
Djalma Maritimo 5
Lisandro Lopez FC Porto 5















16/02/2009 23:00

[shed131]

portuguese cup

Benfica to meet Sporting in final
Benfica 2-1 Vitoria Guimaraes
For a second straight time in the competition, Benfica got the better of Vitoria Guimaraes and in turn have booked their spot in the Carlsberg Cup final, where they will face Sporting. A Gregory own goal and another by Pablo Aimar was enough to claim Guimaraes' scalp again as Desmartes scored a late consolation goal to make it close at the end.

It will be the Eagles' first Carlsbersg Cup final and what better way to try and claim silverware than to do it against their cross-city rivals. The final will be something to behold as the two Lisbon clubs will battle it out for bragging rights.

A surprise inclusion in the Benfica line-up was goalkeeper Quim. The Portuguese international has not made an appearance since he was relegated to spectator some two months ago. Another player who made his return to the starting XI was defender Miguel Vitor, after sitting out the match against Rio Ave due to suspension.

The match started out brighlty as both sides looked to get the early goal to settle the nerves, but no clear-cut opportunities were created by either side. That all changed midway through the half as Cardozo headed a Reyes free-kick, but the Paraguayan's header clanked off the crossbar. The hosts came close to getting on the scoreboard first in the 32nd minute when Carlos Martins almost re-directed a Cardozo effort, but the ball escaped at the far post. Cardozo had one of the easiest opportunities to score in his career just before the interval, but the Benfica striker hit his effort over the net when he only had Serginho to beat.

Guimaraes come close
The second half saw Guimaraes almost snatch the opening goal right after the re-start as Fajardo struck a low effort which did not miss by much at the far post. Benfica then started to pin Guimaraes to their end of the field as the home side kept pressing and insisting on breaking the deadlock. But Guimaraes came within another hair of opening the scoring in the 61st minute when Desmartes had a go of it and the ball took a fortuitous defelction off a Benfica defender.

With thirty minutes left to play, Benfica were rewarded with a goal when Gregory tried to clear a David Luiz deflection, off a Carlos Martins corner kick, and the the Guimaraes defender ended up heading the ball himself into his own net. The Lisbon club doubled their lead in the 88th minute as Katsouranis sent in a precise ball towards Aimar and the Argentinian had Serginho at his mercy to notch his first goal in a Benfica jersey. Two minutes later Guimaraes tried to make it interesting, but it was too little too late as Desmartes picked up a rebound after Quim sensationally stopped Roberto to give the visitors a consolation goal.

Benfica
Quim, Miguel Vitor, Luisao, Sidnei (Maxi Pereira, 46), David Luiz, Katsouranis, Carlos Martins (Yebda, 85), Ruben Amorim, Aimar, Reyes, Cardozo (Di Maria, 67)

Vitoria Guimaraes:

Seginho, Lionn, Gregory, Moreno, Andrezinho, Joao Alves (Custodio, 86), Flavio Meireles (Carlitos, 77), Desmartes, Fajarado, Nuno Assis, Marquinho (Roberto, 70)

Yelllow Cards: Flavio Meirles, Joao Alves



Goals:

[1-0] Gregory, 70 og

[2-0] Aimar, 88

[2-1] Desmartes, 90

[shed131]

portuguese cup history


Year Winners Runners-up
2007/08
Sporting
FC Porto

2006/07
Sporting
Belenenses

2005/06
FC Porto
Vitoria Setubal

2004/05
Vitoria Setubal
Benfica

2003/04
Benfica
FC Porto

2002/03
FC Porto
Uniao de Leiria

2001/02
Sporting
Leixoes

2000/01
FC Porto
Maritimo

1999/2000
FC Porto
Sporting

[shed131]

World Cup Qualifying 2010
Qualifying Group 1 P W D L F A Pts
Denmark 3 2 1 0 6 2 7
Hungary 4 2 1 1 4 2 7
Albania 5 1 3 1 3 2 6
Sweden 3 1 2 0 3 2 5
PORTUGAL 4 1 2 1 6 3 5
Malta 5 0 1 4 0 11 1


Malta 0-4 PORTUGAL
Albania 0-0 Sweden
Hungary 0-0 Denmark
Sweden 2-1 Hungary
PORTUGAL 2-3 Denmark
Albania 3-0 Malta
Hungary 2-0 Albania
Denmark 3-0 Malta
Sweden 0-0 PORTUGAL
Malta 0-1 Hungary
PORTUGAL 0-0 Albania
Malta 0-0 Albania


Malta 28/03/09 Denmark
Albania 28/03/09 Hungary
PORTUGAL 28/03/09 Sweden
Hungary 01/04/09 Malta
Denmark 01/04/09 Albania
Albania 06/06/09 PORTUGAL
Sweden 06/06/09 Denmark
Sweden 10/06/09 Malta
Denmark 05/09/09 PORTUGAL
Hungary 05/09/09 Sweden
Hungary 09/09/09 PORTUGAL
Malta 09/09/09 Sweden
Albania 09/09/09 Denmark
PORTUGAL 10/10/09 Hungary
Denmark 10/10/09 Sweden
Denmark 14/10/09 Hungary
PORTUGAL 14/10/09 Malta
Sweden 14/10/09 Albania

[shed131]

Wednesday, 18 February 2009 22:53

Brilliant Braga too good for Standard Liege

Sporting Braga 3-0 Standard Liege

Braga again showed they are a force to be reckoned with in Europe with a comprehensive 3-0 win in the home leg of their last-32 Uefa Cup tie against Standard Liege. Goals from Renteria, Leone and Luis Aguair make the Portuguese side strong favourites to progress to the next round.

The Belgian table toppers arrived in Portugal with a big reputation, but many pundits are saying Braga currently play the best football in Portugal, and on this showing that appears a credible statement.


Laszlo Boloni’s team were given the run-around for the opening half hour, with Braga’s movement off the ball and cohesiveness especially eye-catching. Meyong almost put the hosts into the lead in the fourth minute after good work by Renteria, but Witsel saved Standard with a desperate goal-line clearance.


The visitors responded with a dangerous move that ended with De Camargo forcing Eduardo into a sharp save, but Braga stepped up the pace and were rewarded with two quick goals.


Renteria on a high
On 17 minutes Columbian striker Renteria showed he is bristling with confidence, as he picked up the ball on the edge of the box, stepped inside his marker and sent a tremendous shot curling into the top corner of the net leaving goalkeeper Espinoza no chance.


Nine minutes later Renteria was again involved. As the striker challenged for possession with Dalmat, the ball fell to Braga centre-back Leone in the penalty area, who struck a fierce shot into the back of the net.


Before the break Braga almost scored a third as Luis Aguiar’s header from an Alan cross was well saved by Espinoza. Upon the restart Jorge Jesus’ side again almost extended their lead as Peixoto’s free-kick was deflected a whisker past the post


With Braga apparently content to concentrate on preserving their lead, the Belgians finally began to come out of their shell, albeit without ever causing much alarm for the home defence. On 78 minutes Mbonkani beat Eduardo to a corner kick and headed narrowly over the bar.


Wonderful move
Five minutes from time a beautiful move from Braga led to what will surely be the decisive third goal. Matheus, Alan and Aguiar carved open the Standard defence with a rapid combination, all taking just one touch of the ball, with Uruguayan midfielder Aguiar finishing clinically.


The three-goal cushion and the manner of the victory leaves Braga near certainties to equal their best ever Uefa Cup run by reaching the last 16, which they have achieved twice (1997/98 and 2006/07). And on this form the Portuguese outfit will fancy their chances of going at least one step further.



Sporting Braga:
Eduardo, Joao Pereira, Frechaut, Leone, Evaldo, Alan (Stelvio, 87), Vandinho, Cesar Peixoto (Orlando Sa, 80), Luis Aguiar, Renteria, Meyong (Matheus, 70)
Yellow Cards: Vandinho, Peixoto


Standard Liege:

Espinoza, Marcos, Onyewu, Mikulic, Mangala (Mulemo, 64), Defour (Nicaise, 11), Witsel, Dalmat, Jovanovic (Benteke, 90), De Camargo, Mbokami

Yellow Cards: Mbokami, Nicaise


Goals:

[1-0] Rentaria, 17

[2-0] Leone, 26

[3-0] Aguiar, 84

[C@V]

No one here gives a fuck!

[MagicalUnited]

cmon Sporting!

[El Morto La Hoja!]

i saw Sporting Lisbon win the title at Maritimo about 7 years ago or so....

[Arnold]

Porto are my favourites purely on the basis of one of my favourite drinks which is port.

[shed131]

quote.....No one here gives a fuck! .......

cmon Sporting

Porto are my favourites purely on the basis of one of my favourite drinks which is port.

i saw Sporting Lisbon win the title at Maritimo about 7 years ago or so


looks like somebody was wrong

... quote.....No one here gives a


fuck! ....... then they wonder why nobody posts

[MagicalUnited]

cav is........................................... different

[crawleyred]

I went to a PC Porto vs Benfica match when I was 7

[shed131]

Sporting 3-2 Benfica: Benfica reaction
Flores: "It is difficult to find one reason"
Quique Flores, Benfica coach:

"In general, it was an unpleasant surprise, I expected a different game. We knew that our adversary are strong in the opening 15 minutes. It was difficult and in order to compete with Sporting we had to do what I said we had to do on the eve on the match, which is pay attention to details. This did not happen."

"It is difficult to find one reason. I think that we were not good in terms of positioning. The team did not have the necessary coordination, nor the freshness to attack with the ball. To win against Sporting we had to play as a team and, afterwards, mark up. We committed various errors."

"There are 33 points left. February is a very complicated month. After Friday we will see where we are. FC Porto have to face a calendar that we already had. I believe that the team is demoralised from the defeat, but are confident for the future. I cannot predict when FC Porto will slip up or the matches that we will not. We have to win the following weekend."

Luisao, Benfica captain:

"In the first half the team managed to equal Sporting's productivity, which was difficult, but in the second half we did not manage to match the sure defence that we have shown in the championship. We lost concentration and what happend was what happened, but we know that there is a lot of the championship left."

"I am not saying the we defend badly, but what I am saying is we did not possess our habitual confidence. Just like when we are happy when things go well, tonight I am here to assume the responsibilities for the defensive sector for this match."

David Luiz, Benfica full-back:

"It was a day where things did not go as they should have. I assume my part of the blame and will take on everything I have to with my head held high. I will change this. We lost three points. There is a lot of the championship left and we will fight to the very last match."

[shed131]

Sunday, 22 February 2009 09:05
Sporting 3-2 Benfica: Sporting reaction
Bento: “We deserved a bigger margin of victory”

Paulo Bento, Sporting coach:

“It was an important victory, which allows Sporting to stay in the fight for our objective. It was a completely just win, with a more balanced first half and few opportunities. Benfica took advantage of a mistake of ours and scored.


“In the second half we were dominant and never lost control of the game. As happened against Belenenses, we were forced to suffer too much at the end, in a match we could have killed off much earlier. Just a one-goal difference does not seem just to me. For our performance in the second half we deserved a bigger margin of victory.


“In the second half the goal right at the start forced Benfica to play in a way they don’t like, which is to take more initiative of the game, but even after Cardozo came on we controlled things well from a defensive point of view. I think that above all we have to emphasise the quality of Sporting’s game, but also our capacity to react in moments of adversity.”


(On Liedson) “He’s an extremely influential player, who has got excellent capacity and quality, and who allies this quality to a very high competitive spirit, which allows the team to play in a certain way, but helped by a strong and solid collective effort.”


Joao Moutinho, Sporting captain:

“It was an important victory for our objectives. We continue to try to play the same in all games and I think we put in good performances against Belenenses and Benfica. I think we should stress the effort of the team, which fought from start to finish to get a good result. We managed to win, which was the most important thing.


“Now it’s time to think of another competition, where we have achieved our first objective, which was to get through the group. We’ll try and win, like we do in all games. Because of their budget and other factors Bayern are considered favourites, but we’ll play the two games to win. We’ll work to get the best result possible.”


Derlei, Sporting striker:

“I’ve played alongside some great players but Liedson is a special case. It’s easy to play with him because he needs just the smallest of spaces to score his goals but that is not all he does. He plays and makes others play. He’s one of the most complete forwards I’ve ever played with.


“From tomorrow we are going to turn our attentions to the Champions League. Bayern Munich are one of Europe’s great teams but today football is relative. We have the goal of reaching the quarter-finals, we’re going to keep our feet on the ground and believe in this.”


Pereirinha, Sporting midfielder:

“I want above all to help the team. I feel good because I’m proving useful to Sporting, but whether I start or not is up to the coach. It’s his decision. I always try to give my best for Sporting.


“For the goal I had the fortune to do one dribble, then another and to put in a good cross. Whether I play from the start or come off the bench I always try to give my best. Sometimes things come off, other times they don’t, but it’s not because of lack of work.”

[shed131]

Saturday, 21 February 2009 16:32
Liedson fires Sporting to victory in five-goal thriller
Sporting 3-2 Benfica


Sporting won a highly entertaining Lisbon derby 3-2 at Alvalade tonight. Liedson put the hosts ahead early on but Benfica went on to dominate the first half and deservedly drew level from a penalty converted by Reyes. The second half saw non-stop attacking from Sporting and they were rewarded with goals by Derlei and Liedson, with Cardozo's late header making it a tight finish. Liedson has now scored 10 goals in 12 matches against Benfica.
Match kicks off at 8.00 pm Lisbon time (9.00 pm C.E.T.)


Sporting 3-2 Benfica

Sporting win 3-2 in a highly entertaining match. The Lions equal Benfica on 37 points but the Eagles remain above their neighbours as they have a superior head-to-head record. The Lisbon duo are both four points behind leaders FC Porto.

Full time

93' - Aimar tries his luck from the edge of the area but Tiago gathers easily.

90' - Paulo Bento throws on centre-back Tonel for midfielder Izmailov.

89' - GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Superb cross from Maxi Pereira and Cardozo produces a perfect header into the corner of the net to reduce the deficit. Benfica still believe.

87' - Good period of pressure from Benfica ends with Reyes firing a powerful shot over the bar.

82' - GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Liedson heads past Moreira after some magnificent wing play by Pereirinha. Surely the Lions have the points in the bag.

80' - Strong run by Polga sets up a chance for Liedson. Moreira makes a sprawling save.

76' - Two yellow cards in quick succession for Benfica pair Reyes and Sidnei

75' - Sporting a whisker away from scoring a third goal. Pereirinha takes advantage of a goal-mout scramble to prod a shot onto the bar with Moreira beaten.

73' - Paulo Bento makes his first substitution, Pereirinha coming on for Vukcevic.

72' - Benfica close to an equaliser. An excellent counter-attack sees Di Maria chip the ball through to Aimar but Tiago gets to the ball just before the Argentine.

69' - Di Maria wins a free-kick on the left flank. The cross is whipped in but Sporting clear.

66' - Rochemback hacks down Aimar and is shown a card for his troubles.

65' - Cardozo makes a second change. Cardozo comes on for David Suazo.

63' - Another good chance for Sporting, Derlei firing just wide from close range. Almost immediately Moutinho fires in a shot from the edge of the box that is deflected just over the bar.

62' - Liedson wins a ball in midfield in the air to release Vukcevic. The Montenigrin fires a shot when a cross would have been a better option.

60' - Katsouranis shown the yellow card for tripping Rochemback.

57' - Quique Flores tries to mix things up Yebda is replaced by Di Maria. But Sporting again come close to scoring. Liedson and Derlei set up Vukcevic whose curling effort flies not far past the post.

54' - Sporting close to extending their lead. Liedson's first effort is charged down by Moreira but the Levezinho latches onto the rebound and his goalbound shot is cleared off the line by Sidnei.

49' - Benfica hit back with a dangerous cross the Luisao almost gets his head to. A swift counter-attack sees Izmailov whip in a cross that is headed out by Sidnei. Lightning start to the second half.

47' - GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Polga plays a long ball to Derlei who frees himself of the attentions of the two centre-back and fires a ferocious shot high into the net.

46' - Positive start from Sporting. Rochemback fires a free-kick into the wall and from the follow-up fires just wide.

It's been a typically fiesty Lisbon derby so far. Sporting started well and went ahead through a marvellous Liedson strike. But from that moment onwards Benfica dominated and deservedly got their equaliser from the penalty spot. Benfica fans will be the happier as the referee brings proceedings to an end after the first 45 minutes.

45' - Half time whistle goes with the teams all square.

43' - Aimar picks up a booking for preventing Tiago from taking a quick goal kick.

42' - Suazo again causes problems with his pace. Polga just manages to get his challenge in to prevent the Honduran from racing clean through.

39' - Loud penalty shout for Sporting as Izmailov's shot strikes Maxi's arm, but the referee deems it unintentional.

36' - GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Polga brings down Suazo in the box to give away a penalty. Reyes dispatches the spot kick into the back of the net. Yellow card for Polga.

34' - Derlei wins a dangerous free-kick to at last alleviate for Sporting.

30' - Benfica again close to an equaliser. Aimar wins the ball on the flank and a well worked counter-attack ends with Yebda just failing to get the final touch with the goal gaping.

25' - Postiga is forced off with injury. Derlei enters the fray.

24' - Benfica a whisker away from an equaliser! A free-kick is crossed into the box, Yebda rises highest and heads against the post with Tiago beaten. A lucky escape for Sporting.

20' - Excellent touch by David Luiz takes the defender past Pero Silva and sets up a dangerous counter-attack. Grimi hacks the ball clear but Benfica are looking threatening.

17' - Benfica have reacted well to the goal. Good work by Amorim has the Sporting defence back-peddling. The ball runs loose to Maxi Pereira whose shot is easily gathered by Tiago.

14' - Suazo does well to wriggle past Polga. Carrico cuts out his cross for a corner. Ball is cleared by... Liedson.

10' - GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Liedson latches onto a corner and fires a stupendous angled shot into the top corner past the diving Moreira. Quite superb goal.

7' - Yellow card for Yebda after a crunching tackle on Moutinho.

5' - Quick free kick taken by Sporting catches Benfica's defence out. Izmailov is free to cross into the box and Moreira punches clear.

4' - Frenetic start to the match with play confined to the middle of the pitch.

There's an electric atmosphere inside the stadium as we approach kick-off time. The Sporting fans unveil a huge banner that proclaims "We shall be champions". A huge roar erupts as the teams emerge from the tunnel.

Starting line-ups


Sporting:

Tiago, Pedro Silva, Grimi, Polga, Carrico, Rochemback, Izmailov, Vukcevic, Moutinho, Liedson, Postiga


Benfica:

Moreira, Maxi Pereira, Sidnei, Luisao, David Luiz, Amorim, Katsouranis, Yebda, Reyes, Aimar, Suazo