Portugal

Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
Head coach: Carlos Queiroz
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Group: G


Portugal are a team with undoubted quality, they arguably have the best all round footballer in Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese have never won a major international tournament, they were widely tipped to beat Greece in the final of Euro 2004. Even on home soil, they failed to claim the trophy and left the Portuguese people wondering whether they will get a better opportunity to win something. A disappointing qualification campaign left them with a playoff match with Bosinia & Herzegovina, which they won 2-0 on aggregate. If Portugal are to succeed this summer they will need their star man Ronaldo, to be at the top of his game. In saying that, Ronaldo can not do it all his own, other players like Nani and Liedson will have to step up to the plate.

Nani is finally starting to realise his potential, the tricky winger has put in some impressive displays for Manchester United this season. Brazilian born Liedson, now has the main striking responsibility, after all time leading goal scorer Pauleta, retired from international football. Liedson has a phenominal goal scoring record for his club Sporting CP and the Portuguese will hope to see him add to his 3 international goals. Experienced central midfielders Deco and Raul Meireles will most likely partner each other in the heart of the midfield. Highly rated Miguel Veloso will also contend for a midfield place, Veloso posses great defensive abilities and a great range of passing.

Portugal are in group G, which is also the dreaded "group of death". Five time World Cup winners Brazil and much fancied African team Ivory Coast stand in the Portuguese's way to the second round, North Korea are the fourth team. Manager Carlos Queiroz decided to omit skillful winger Ricardo Quaresma due to a lack of first team football.


Squad:

Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga).

Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia).

Midfielders: Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon).

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg)