March 7, 2008 5:26 PM
SOURCE:
goal.com
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Vukc(evic' gives Sporting the edge
Lisbon greats Sporting opened the Bwin Liga (Portuguese first division) with a 4-1 thrashing of Académica at their Alvalade home. New boy Derlei, top scorer Liédson, Tonel and 20 year-old Captain João Moutinho roared for the Leões while Gyano scored a consolation for the visitors…
Sporting Clube 4-1 Académica de Coimbra
The match was marked by three penalties, although Madeira-based ref Elmano Santos failed to spot two of them. The result confirms that Paulo Bento’s side will be a serious contender for the silverware this season.
This follows up a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira win against an FC Porto who appear to have more of a fight to lift what would be their third league trophy in a row this season.
Académica stood the initial Sporting slew of attacks (aided by the ref as he turned a blind eye to Berger shoving Liédson over in the Académica area) but yielded half way through the first half.
Derlei (25 min) netted the first Liga 2007/08 goal with a strong shot. Fellow Brazilian striker Liédson (44 min) made it 2-0 with a characteristically strong header off a precise Romagnoli free kick.
Both Liedson and Derlei started the second half off strong and Vuckcevic, rather discrete in the first half, began to make his presence known on the left flank.
The third home goal soon went in as Tonel (68 min) swung round to connect a typically stinging half-volley from a corner that billowed out the visitors’ nets. The ref overlooked a second spot kick as Polga appeared to bring Lito down in the Sporting area.
Académica didn’t throw the towel in and clawed one back as Gyano (82 min) smashed in a left-footer that left new keeper Stojkovic annoyed with his reactions and fans missing departed veteran Ricardo between the sticks.
João Moutinho (89 min - pictured) banged in the definitive 4-1 after Kaká (not that one) brought Liédson down in the area to finish the first match of the new season off with a flourish.
Venue: José Alvalade stadium, Lisbon
Referee: Elmano Santos
SPORTING (4): Stojkovic; Abel, Tonel, Polga and Ronny; Miguel Veloso; João Moutinho, Romagnoli (Farnerud) and Vukcevic (Yannick); Liedson and Derlei (Adrien).
ACADÉMICA (1): Pedro Roma; Berger (N´Doye), Litos, Kaká and Orlando; Tiero, Paulo Sérgio and Cris; Lito, Joeano (Hélder Barbosa) and Ivanildo (Gyano).
Half Time: 2-0
Goals: 1-0, Derlei (25 min); 2-0, Liedson (44 min); 3-0, Tonel (68 m); 3-1, Gyano (82 min); 4-1, João Moutinho (89 min penalty).
Full Time: 4-1
Yellow Cards: Kaká and Pedro Roma.
