De Jonge warns Heerenveen

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Heerenveen coach Jan de Jonge has warned his side they must play for the full 90 minutes in Thursday's Europa League opener against Sporting Lisbon.

The Dutch side host Sporting in a Group D tie at the Abe Lenstra Stadium looking to get their season up and running after losing three from three in domestic competition.

De Jonge is aware of how tough the challenge will be as they face a side featuring the likes of Portugal international Joao Moutinho and Brazilian striker Liedson.

He has also studied how the Portuguese side play and has told his players not to be lulled into a false of security by their style.

Fellow Dutch side FC Twente were recently denied progress in the Champions League by a late Sporting goal in the qualifiers.

De Jonge said: "Sporting can be patient. They can play with a low tempo and give you the impression the game is under your control.

"They have patience until to wait until the last second and then still strike. They are real assassins."

Heerenveen - who lost all four of their UEFA Cup games last season - should be close to full fitness Vicktor Elm, Goran Popov and Michal Svec all in contention after overcoming problems.

Sporting travel in good heart having won their last two games while Liedson will be keen to add to his impressive tally having scored 32 times in 66 European outings.

They will hope to enjoy a good run in Europe this season after an ignominious end to their Champions League campaign last year, when they were thrashed 12-1 over two legs by Bayern Munich.

Last time they played in this competition - the 2005 UEFA Cup - they reached the final before losing to CSKA Moscow.