Liga Sagres wrap: Sporting choke, Leiria win

Sporting Lisbon coughed up a 2-0 lead to draw with Olhanense, while Uniao de Leiria beat Nacional to move to fifth on the Liga Sagres table.

Heavyweights Sporting seemed to be cruising after much-travelled striker Helder Postiga scored his second goal on 62 minutes with a close-range finish.

But Brazilian defender Ismaily pulled a goal back and Sporting’s Daniel Carrico put the ball through his own net to have Olhanense level within four minutes.

Both sides had their chances to win the match, with Sporting’s veteran midfielder Maniche sending a long-range strike whistling over the cross bar as the game ticked into extra time.

But – save Olhanense striker Adilson’s red card for a high boot in the dying moments – there was no late drama as the game finished 2-2.

Sporting stay third on the table, while Olhanense move into a credible seventh.

In the earlier game, a 43rd-minute goal from Indonesian forward Fabricio – his first for the club since his January move from PSMS Medan in his homeland – was enough to secure all three points for Uniao de Leiria against Nacional.

The win means Leiria leap over Nacional into fifth, with the latter sinking to seventh.