Brazilian boosts Sporting trophy hunt

By Hugo Pietra

Alan Shearer's headed goal at St James' Park may have given Newcastle United FC a 1-0 lead in their UEFA Cup quarter-final against Sporting Clube de Portugal, but the Lisbon side's Brazilian defender Anderson Polga insists the tie is far from over.

Long gap
With this season's final to be held at Sporting's Estádio José Alvalade on 18 May, José Peseiro's men have more motivation than ever as they aim to lift the club's first European trophy since the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963/64, when Sporting beat MTK Hungária FC in the final.

League contenders
The UEFA Cup would crown an excellent season for Sporting, who are currently three points behind Portuguese SuperLiga leaders SL Benfica. However, with Newcastle regarded as one of the strongest teams in the draw, European success will not come easily.

Magnificent game
Having taken the scalps of Feyenoord and Newcastle's Premiership rivals Middlesbrough FC in the knockout stages to reach the last eight, however, Sporting have shown their prowess, and Polga expects a magnificent game as Newcastle visit the Alvalade.

'Two great sides'
"Sporting and Newcastle are two great sides and we will do our very best to put on a great footballing show," Polga told uefa.com. "I think Newcastle will be coming to Lisbon with the same thoughts. After all, this is where the final is going to be held.

Final dream
"We will do whatever we can to be here on 18 May, to play in the UEFA Cup final," added the 26-year-old, whose role in the Brazil squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup makes him the only world champion currently active in Portuguese football.

Calm draw
Newcastle and Sporting met in the competition's group stage during the autumn, but both teams were certain of their places in the knockout rounds by the time Sporting travelled to Newcastle for their final Group D match, a 1-1 draw on 16 December.

Favourable response
However, the fact Sporting have had to play Newcastle again has not soured Polga's opinion of the rejigged tournament. "This new format is a chance for all the sides to show their worth," said Polga. "The group stage is good but I think it should be played with two legs in order not to lose the cultural exchange."

Single-minded Sporting
Passing exchanges are more likely to be in evidence on Thursday, with Polga insisting his team will be in formidable mood following last week's defeat. "We are only thinking about one thing against Newcastle: winning," said the centre-back.

Simple target
"We know we have to win 2-0 without conceding any goals in order to reach the semi-finals," added Polga, whose side are expected to be backed by the biggest crowd of the season at the Alvalade. "I don't want to discuss our tactics, but we are going to do our best to win."

Final leap
Getting past Newcastle would leave Sporting in a strong position to make the final on home soil, but the Brazilian is pondering more than just the prospect of becoming a club legend as he daydreams about lifting the trophy.

Brazil hope
"I became a world champion for my country and I would love to get back into the national team," he said. "That's the reason why I work so hard for my club."