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Rediff.com  » Sports » Portugal squad

Portugal squad

June 05, 2008 20:09 IST
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Portugal squad penpix for Euro 2008:

Ricardo (Sevilla). Goalkeeper. Born: 11.2.76. Caps: 74. Goals: 0.

Despite being relegated to the bench by his Primera Liga club he remains Scolari's favourite. An excellent shot-stopper but is sometimes shaky when dealing with crosses. A hero in the Euro 2004 quarter-final penalty shootout win over England for saving a kick and scoring the decisive goal himself.

Quim Silva (Benfica). Goalkeeper. Born: 13.11.75. Caps: 25. Goals: 0.

Quick and agile keeper who excels in one-on-one situations. Was understudy to Ricardo at Euro 2004 and at World Cup 2006 and is likely to be again. Also played for Braga and has never played club football outside of Portugal.

Rui Patricio (Sporting). Goalkeeper. Born: 15.2.88 Caps: 0.

Became a regular in the Sporting Lisbon team this season. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sees him as the long-term replacement for Ricardo.

Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea). Defender. Born: 24.8.82. Caps: 7 Goals: 0.

Regarded as one of the best right-backs in Europe confirmed by his $31.75 million switch from Porto to Chelsea at the end of the season. Confident with the ball and good going forward, he is able to whip in telling crosses from the wings.

Pepe (Real Madrid). Defender. Born: 26.2.83 Caps: 2 Goals: 0.

A tall and pacy defender, dominant in the air. He returned to action in February after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and will replace the injured Jorge Andrade. Made his debut in the goalless qualifier against Finland in November last year.

Miguel (Valencia). Defender. Born 04.01.80 Caps: 46 Goals: 1.

Likes to attack down the right flank from where he can fire in raking crosses, he is an experienced viable alternative to Bosingwa at right-back.

Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea). Defender. Born: 18.5.78 Caps: 42 Goals: 4.

An uncompromising tackler with great timing and anticipation, he has proved a key part of Chelsea's Premier League and Champions League challenges. Moved to Stamford Bridge with coach Jose Mourinho following Euro 2004.

Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart). Defender. Born: 5.6.78. Caps: 48 Goals: 2.

A useful player able to move easily between defence and midifield. A fine header of the ball and poses a danger at corners. He was recalled to the squad by Scolari after he was overlooked for the World Cup in 2002.

Bruno Alves (Porto). Defender. Born 27.11.81 Caps: 10 Goals: 1.

Made his international debut against Kuwait last year and has proved a bedrock of Porto's championship campaign.

Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea). Defender. Born: 18.1.79 Caps 46 Goals 0.

Slight, unassuming but very effective right-back who followed Mourinho to Chelsea from Porto in 2004. Combines solid defensive ability with strong attacking skills.

Deco (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born: 27.8.77. Caps: 52 Goals: 3.

A graceful playmaker with wonderful technique. An authoritive and creative player capable of dictating the pace of a match. Loves scoring from long distance free kicks but his career at Barcelona has been blighted by niggling injuries. Brazil-born, won two league championships with the Catalans in 2005 and 2006 and was part of the team that beat Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris in 2006.

Armando Petit (Benfica). Midfielder. Born: 25.9.76. Caps: 53 Goals: 4.

When in form, a powerful player with great anticipation. Made his debut against Ireland in Dublin in 2001 in a World Cup qualifier.

Joao Moutinho (Sporting). Midfielder. Born: 8.9.86 Caps: 12 Goals: 0.

With a sweet left foot and great vision, he is a natural replacement for Deco if he fails to be fit. Tireless ball-winner who does a lot of the hard work for his attacking team mates.

Raul Meireles (Porto). Midfielder. Born: 17.3.83. Caps: 8 Goals: 0.

Key player in Porto midfield because of his passing and shooting ability from long distances. A stalwart of this season's title-winning campaign.

Miguel Veloso (Sporting). Midfielder. Born: 11.5.86. Caps: 5 Goals: 0.

Impressed for Portugal in last year's under-21 European championships, his father was a successful player for Benfica. Promising defensive midfielder who is strong in the air and good at anticipating trouble.

Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista). Midfielder. Born: 9.11.81. Caps 8 Goals 0. Just eight caps after making his debut against the Scots in November 2002. Younger brother of Maniche.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United). Forward. Born: 5.2.85. Caps: 54 Goals: 20.

Electrifying season for United in the Premier League, for whom he scored a jaw-dropping 41 goals in all competitions. Was instrumental in United's title win and also their run to the Champions League final. Scintillating against static defences, but yet to show he can reproduce his trickery to great effect on the biggest stages.

Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos). Forward. Born: 2.8.82. Caps: 31 Goals: 10.

Technically accomplished striker, he returned to Porto in 2004 after a miserable stint in his only season at Tottenham. Sometimes has a fiery temperament, scored the late equaliser against England in the Euro 2004 quarter-final before seeing his side win on a penalty shootout. Currently on loan in Greece.

Nuno Gomes (Benfica). Forward. Born: 5.7.76. Caps: 68 Goals: 28.

Scored in the 1996 Olympics a few months after making his senior debut. Often used as a speedy substitute late in the game, hit his peak form during Euro 2000, scoring the winner in the 3-2 comeback win over England. Also scored in the third-place playoff defeat by Germany in the 2006 World Cup.

Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid). Forward. Born: 31.10.79 Caps: 60 Goals: 14.

Speedy winger, became Benfica's key player in last season's first title in 11 years. His fast skills often lure opponents into giving away free kicks close to the box. Free kick specialist.

Ricardo Quaresma (Porto). Forward. Born: 26.9.83 Caps: 20 Goals 2.

Nicknamed the Mustang, the speedy former Barcelona winger is capable of setting any game alight with his repertoire of step-overs. Moved from Barcelona back to Portugal as part of the deal that took Deco the other way.

Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen). Forward. Born: 23.5.84. Caps 8. Goals 2.

Young striker who has done well when given a chance. Strong in the air at 1.90 metres. Scored his first goals for Portugal in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Nani (Manchester United). Forward. Born: 17.11.86. Caps: 12 Goals 2.

Joined his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at United at the start of 2007. Celebrates his goals with an exuberant joy followed by an acrobatic somersault. Made his bow for the senior side in a 4-2 drubbing by Denmark in September 2006.

(Compiled by Carlos Pontes, editing by Miles Evans)

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