What: International Friendly
Who: Portugal (FIFA ranked 9) vs Faroe Islands (FIFA ranked 196)
When: Wednesday, 20th August 2008, 21:45 CET
Where: Estádio Municipal de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

Portugal come into this game on the back of a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign, while the Faroe Islands will be hoping to get the most out of this match.

New Portugal Era

The end of Euro 2008 brought a major change to the Portuguese national squad: former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was installed as coach, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had signed for Chelsea prior to the competition.

This is the second stint of Queiroz at the helm of Portugal after an unsuccessful experience that ended in 1994 when he failed to take the team to the FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Queiroz is now hoping for better fortunes and has selected a 22-man squad for this friendly match with several surprises.

Several big-names have been left out of this match, such as Ricardo Quaresma, Ricardo, or Maniche. Portugal’s goal should be defended by Benfica custodian Quim, who missed Euro 2008 after sustaining a wrist injury.

The new Portugal boss also decided to not include hot prospects such as Miguel Veloso or Rui Patrício, both from Sporting, in his plans for this friendly.

Portugal have a lot to prove after a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign and Queiroz will have the difficult task of making his men forget Scolari, who was in charge for five years and took the squad to a second-place finish at Euro 2004 and a fourth-place finish at the World Cup two years later.

This will be a very important task for Queiroz ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifying, where Portugal will have to come up against the likes of Sweden and Denmark.

Faroese Dream

The Faroe Islands, coached by Jógvan Martin Olsen, should play a very defensive game, hoping to break Portugal down through counter-attack.

They finished rock-bottom of their group at the Euro 2008 qualifying without a single point and a -39 goal difference. This time around Faroe Islands were drawn in Group 7 of the World Cup qualifying and will have to play the likes of France and Romania.

This will be an important test for Olsen’s men against a squad that feature better and more experienced players, which is why the Faroe Islands are expected to pose little threat to the Portuguese side.

FORM GUIDE

Portugal

19/06/08 Portugal 2-3 Germany (Euro 2008)
15/06/08 Portugal 0-2 Switzerland (Euro 2008)
11/06/08 Portugal 3-1 Czech Republic (Euro 2008)
07/06/08 Portugal 2-0 Turkey (Euro 2008)
31/05/08 Portugal 2-0 Georgia (Friendly)

Faroe Islands

04/06/08 Faroe Islands 3-4 Estonia (Friendly)
16/03/08 Faroe Islands 0-3 Iceland (Friendly)
21/11/07 Faroe Islands 1-3 Italy (Euro 2008 Qualifier)
17/10/07 Faroe Islands 0-5 Ukraine (Euro 2008 Qualifier)
13/10/07 Faroe Islands 0-6 Iceland (Euro 2008 Qualifier)

TEAM NEWS

Portugal

Coach Carlos Queiroz will have to come up with an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been a crucial piece for Portugal but will miss this game due to injury.
Eduardo and Danny will have the chance to earn their first international cap for Portugal’s main squad. Carlos Martins, Manuel Fernandes, Antunes, Duda and Daniel Fernandes all make their return to the squad.

Squad

Quim, Eduardo, Daniel Fernandes, Bosingwa  Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Pepe, Antunes, Miguel, Deco, Raúl Meireles, Duda, Carlos Martins, João Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, Simão Sabrosa , Nani, Danny, Nuno Gomes, Hugo Almeida.

Faroe Islands

Coach Jógvan Martin Olsen is without veteran defender Óli Johannesen, who has over 80 caps for his national squad.

Squad

Jákup Mikkelsen, Rene Tórgarð, Jónas Þór Næs, Jóhan Troest Davidsen, Egil á Bø, Fróði Benjaminsen, Leif Niclasen, Einar Hansen, Høgni Madsen, Atli Danielsen, Mikkjal Thomassen, Chr. Høgni Jacobsen, Andreas Lava Olsen, Jákup á Borg, Símun Samuelsen, Christian Lamhauge Holst, Arnbjørn Hansen, Rógvi Jacobsen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portugal - Deco: With Cristiano Ronaldo out of this match, the Brazilian-born midfielder is expected to command the team and guide it to victory. The former Barça star pulled out a magical performance in his official debut for Chelsea and great things are expected from him under Carlos Queiroz.

Faroe Islands - Rógvi Jacobsen: The Faroese midfielder has 50 international caps to his name and is the squad’s top goal-scorer so he will be a player Queiroz will have to look out for.

PREDICTION

This should be a walk in the park for Portugal, who need to earn a boost ahead of the opening World Cup 2010 qualifying against Malta in September. The Faroe Islands are anything but a big gun and should found themselves lost amidst the Portuguese creativity.

Portugal 3-0 Faroe Islands

Ref From Luís Mira - goal.com

FIFA have announced their Euro 2008 team of the tournament and, as expected, the Spanish contingent dominated the starting XI.

The European Champions were outstanding from start to finish during the Championships and they had no trouble en route to lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy.

World football’s governing body has now recognised the Spanish effort and they have included no less than six Furia Roja players in their team selection.Russia, Holland, Portugal and Germany share the five remaining places.

FIFA’s EURO 2008 starting XI:

Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pepe, Lahm; Senna, Xavi, Ballack, Sneijder; Villa, Arshavin.

David Villa finished the championship as top-scorer with four goals. Three of those were a hat-trick against Russia in their first group D game.

Fernando Torres’ strike in the final clinched victory over the Germans and Xavi Hernandez was officially the player of the tournament.

Ref from Salvatore Landolina - goal.com

Hakan Yakin’s brace ended Portugal’s 100 per cent record and gave co-hosts Switzerland the opportunity to bow out with a win. The Portuguese didn’t impress, also because they were largely relying on their reserves.

Switzerland had all the motivation needed to do well and save their reputation in front of their fans. Jakob Kuhn kept his favourite 4-4-2 formation but made some changes to the starting XI. Pascal Zuberbuhler took the gloves instead of Diego Benaglio. Experienced defender Ludovic Magnin kept his place alongside Philippe Senderos. Tranquillo Barnetta was left out with Brescia ace Johan Vonlanthen stepping in.

As expected, Luiz Scolari opted for a reshuffle changing eight players out of the starting formation which beat the Czech Republic and Turkey. Ricardo retained his place as did Pepe and Paulo Ferreira. Miguel covered the right-back spot while defender Fernando Meira started as a central midfielder. Starlet Miguel Veloso was also picked while an untested trident formed by Ricardo Quaresma, Helder Postiga and Nani lined up front.

The game started at a decent pace with both teams looking inspired and up for a fight. The Swiss were particularly aggressive and tried to keep it tight at the back, which wasn’t easy against such a fast and talented side such as the Portuguese team.

Quaresma showed all his skills by crossing the ball for Helder Postiga with a rabona, but the striker was offside. Nani also tried to find his way on the right flank but the Manchester United starlet was brought down in the box by Stephan Lichtsteiner – it should have been a penalty.

Switzerland came out of their half with a corner kick and Valon Behrami’s volley was saved by Ricardo. A few minutes later Pepe had a golden chance following a free-kick from Nani which was touched by the defender and then deflected into the bar by ‘keeper Zuberbuhler. Bruno Alves also got a free header but missed his opportunity.

Gokhan Inler scared the Portuguese with a powerful long distance shot, but then Helder Postiga could have brought them ahead on the break when his effort was cleared off the line by Senderos. Yakin was booked shortly after due to a foul just outside the box but the consequent free-kick didn’t create any danger.

Behrami looked in good shape and managed to get past Ferreira, who brought him down with a nasty tackle and was fortunate to only see a yellow card. The Lazio player was carried out injured but then managed to walk back in to the pitch although he was still struggling.

A few minutes later a cross from the right side was headed brilliantly by Yakin forcing Ricardo to make another impressive save. Just before half-time Jorge Riberio stepped in to replace Ferreira, who seemed quite tense and risked a second booking and ban ahead of the quarter-finals.

Nani felt he should have been awarded another penalty when Patrick Muller pulled him by the shirt, but once again the referee didn’t intervene. Then Postiga elbowed Inler, who was bleeding, but it didn’t seem like the striker intended to foul the Udinese midfielder.

Switzerland started the second half with a good attitude creating two chances with Vonlanthen and Inler. But Portugal went incredibly close to taking the lead when Nani received the ball from Veloso and fired onto the right post. Quaresma nearly got himself into trouble when he hit Magnin with his studs and was then denied by Zuberbuhler.

Former Brescia youngster Vonlanthen made way for Tranquillo Barnetta and the Swiss came out with authority. Inler’s terrific effort smacked against the side of the post. The Udinese ace looked in fantastic form tonight. Switzerland were piling the pressure and took the lead with Yakin who managed to beat Ricardo following a lob pass from Eren Derdiyok.

As the local fans were celebrating, Portugal came out strong hoping to rescue themselves from the first defeat in the championship. Hugo Almeida went in for Postiga while Joao Moutinho had replaced Veloso only a couple of minutes earlier. Quaresma could have equalised but wasn’t clinical enough and lost the ball on the edge of the box.

Then just as the game was entering the final minutes, Fernando Meira brought Barnetta down in the box and Yakin had no trouble beating Ricardo from the penalty spot. Yakin was then replaced by Ricardo Cabanas in order to receive a standing ovation from the fans.

Despite losing this game, Portugal ended top of Group A and will be facing the second placed team from Group B in the quarter-finals. Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland are bottom of the group but managed to earn the appreciation of their fans thanks to this final victory in Basel against a team which may end up winning this championship.
Switzerland: Zuberbuhler; Lichtsteiner (Grichting 84), Muller, Senderos, Magnin; Behrami, Inler, Fernandes, Vonlanthen (Barnetta 61); Derdiyok, Yakin (Cabanas 86)

Portugal: Ricardo; Miguel, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Ferreira (Ribeiro 42); Meira, Veloso (Joao Moutinho 70), Meireles; Quaresma, Nani; Helder Postiga (Hugo Almeida 74)

Ref: Plautz (Aus)

Ref From channel4.com