The Future Falcons lost to hosts Sporting Lisbon by three goals to one in the third group game of Al Abtal Cup.
The Portuguese team got off to a strong start and almost opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a powerful Coimbra shot from the edge of the penalty area, will the ball hitting goalkeeper Falah Alshammri’s post. In the 26th minute, Sporting Lisbon bore fruit from their attacks with their first goal with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area by Machado following a corner kick.
In the 36th minute, Sporting Lisbon doubled their lead against the Saudi team with a strong header from Coimbra after a cross from a corner. Three minutes later, the Portuguese team won a penalty kick, which was taken by Sanha but Falah Alshammri managed to block it brilliantly. At the end of the first half, the Future Falcons were able to reduce the deficit with a wonderful towering header from Osama Aljohar, bringing the first half to an end with the score at 2-1 to the Portuguese team.
Sporting’s pressure continued in the second half, and they almost added the third goal in the 52nd minute after a powerful long distance shot from Balde hit the crossbar. In the 76th minute, Sporting Lisbon won a penalty kick, which Coimbra made no mistake with this time to to stretch the gap, making the score three goals to one. That is how the match ended, despite both teams’ attempts to further test the goalkeepers.
