FRIENDLY: PORTUGAL 0 - CAPE VERDE 0

 

Portugal's World Cup preparations began with a shock goalless draw against African minnows Cape Verde. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco were among those selected in a strong starting XI by Carlos Queiroz but Portugal were unable to break down Cape Verde's stubborn resistance.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ    SOCCERTALK

 

RONALDO CAN'T DO MIRACLES

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has called on his Portugal team-mates to be at their best, stating that he alone can not win them the World Cup this summer. The Real Madrid winger and Portugal talisman goes into the tournament in outstanding form after scoring 33 goals in 35 games for his club and with a nation's hopes firmly pinned on him to deliver.

 

Ronaldo is now without doubt his nation's most important player, with inspirational figures such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa retired and the ageing legs of the likes of Simao and Deco not hitting the standards they once were.

 

BOLA BOYZ   MAN UTD  SOCCERTALK

QUEROZ NAMES PORTUGAL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

 

Pepe has been included in Portugal's provisional 24-man squad ahead of the World Cup, despite having been sidelined by a knee injury since December. The Real Madrid defender was a stand-out in a scrappy Portuguese qualifying campaign to ensure his place.

 

Coach Carlos Queiroz had previously indicated he had "one or two'' doubts about the fitness of certain players. Portugal reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany four years ago, but face a difficult task to get out of their group in South Africa after being draw against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

 

Provisional Squad:
Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga), 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), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

 

BOLA BOYZ

UNITED NEED TWO BIG NAMES

 

Wayne Rooney has called on Sir Alex Ferguson to sign two big-name players this summer as Manchester United face up to the prospect of losing the league title.

 

Many feel the failure to make high-profile signings following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez has cost United this season, and Rooney is hoping Ferguson can bring in another top-quality striker for next year.

 

Alongside Didier Drogba, Rooney is currently joint top of the Premier League goal-scoring charts with 26 goals, and he knows that - even if he does get more support in attack next year - he will be expected to deliver a similar total again.

 

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD