 Their appearance in the 2002 season was not a playoff one, it was decided on a total of points and goals and Sporting claimed it in 2002 with 19 points, 6 wins and 22 goals scored ahead of Batuque FC by four goals and without a point or a win ahead.Sporting's highest match of the season was a 0–9 win over Académica da Brava which was played on 29 June The point total of 19 is the highest in national championship history, as the first phase would have a maximum of four or five games the following year, no other club surpassed the point total in the present day.After the playoff system was restored, in the 2004–05 season, Sporting versus FC Derby was tied in the first leg, the team lost 4–3 to Derby along with the national title.