Beginning of the new era

[shantanu_rooney]

I know what you guys are going to say, 'oh no, another story?' and 'I won't read this until it's a certain length.' etc and I expect that, I'm at fault because I shouldn't be starting and stopping all the time, unfortunately, I lost interest in my Man City story and so I decided to do a story on an international team something different. I am gonna do one Portugal because I always felt they are capable of achieving much more than what they have done. I've got a tonne of updates written on word.

Scolari Leaves Portugal for Chelsea
2nd July, 2008

Scolari in a press conference during EURO 2008​

Luiz Felipe Scolari has left his position as Portugal national team manager as he has decided to be the next manager of the Chelsea football club.

Scolari was officially unveiled in a press conference as Chelsea manager on July 1, 2008. In the press conference when asked whether his decision to join Chelsea was financial he responded "Yes, that is one of the reasons". But he added "I'm 59 and I don't want to work as a coach until I'm 70. I want to retire in four or five years, so it was a financial matter but there are other things".

He also said "I could offer my son the opportunity to study elsewhere. You only get this kind of opportunity once so you take it or leave it, but it was not only financial." Scolari later said that he had turned down an offer to manage Manchester City.

Scolari took over as Portugal manager in 2003 and oversaw their preparations as host nation for Euro 2004. In the finals, Portugal got through the group stages and saw off England in the quarter finals on penalties before beating the Netherlands in the semi-finals. However in the final they were beaten 1?0 upset by Greece.

He managed Portugal in the 2006 World Cup in Germany where they reached the semi-finals, again coming out victorious in the quarter-finals against England. But they did not reach the final due to a semi-final defeat against eventual runners-up France. Following the tournament, Scolari was very heavily linked with the England managers job, but he ultimately opted to remain as Portugal coach.

Scolari took Portugal to Euro 2008, were they reached the knockout stages by winning Group A before being eliminated by Germany in the Quarter Finals. During the tournament he announced that he would be joining English Premier League side Chelsea for the 2008?09 season.

The Federa??o Portuguesa de Futebol is set to begin their hunt for the new manager of Potugal to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari. The bookies have made Jose Mourinho the favourite for the job but it is highly unlikely the former Chelsea and Porto will take the job. Federa??o Portuguesa de Futebol have said they want to appoint the new manager before the mid of July.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Portugal name Queiroz new boss
10th July, 2008

Carlos Quieroz during his first press conference as Portugal manager​

Portugal have appointed Carlos Queiroz as their head coach for a second time. The 55-year-old leaves his position as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari, who vacated the hot-seat after UEFA EURO 2008 to take over at Chelsea.

"The Portuguese Football Federation has the pleasure to announce that Carlos Queiroz is the new national team coach," read a statement on the organisation's official website. "The Portuguese coach has a four-year contract and will be presented on Wednesday."

Queiroz said: "Since the first time I was contacted I have been very keen to accept this huge challenge. I am very proud and honoured to be able to go back and serve my country. This is a very special position that any professional would want. I would like to thank Manchester United for agreeing to let me go."

There are high praises for a man who has just ended his second stint as assistant manager of United, in between which he took charge of Real Madrid during their disappointing 2003/04 season. Queiroz also has international coaching experience, having had an unavailing spell at the Portugal controls, led United Arab Emirates in 1999 and South Africa for two years from 2000. He did, in fact, guide the Bafana Bafana into the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, but resigned before the finals.

Queiroz will now be charged with qualifying Portugal, who finished fourth at Germany 2006, for the next FIFA World Cup in 2010. They have been drawn in Group 1 alongside Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta, and will kick off their campaign against the latter on 6 September. A Selec??o das Quinas are currently ninth on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

"Carlos Queiroz is without doubt a benchmark of excellence for Portuguese football coaches and he was my first choice for the job," said Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail.

Queiroz cut his teeth as assistant coach of Estoril-Praia, before guiding Portugal to glory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989. But if that side was renowned for being efficient, keeping five clean sheets in six matches en route to gold, the one that defended their world youth crown on home soil two years later captured the hearts of the football purists. Then, a team inspired by Manuel Rui Costa, Luis Figo and Joao Pinto, future mainstays of the senior Portugal line-up, and dubbed the ‘golden generation' excited throughout with their pass-and-move football.

The former little-known forward then took charge at Lisbon giants Sporting, before his career took him briefly to the USA and New York Red Bulls in 1996, and Japanese outfit Nagoya Grampus Eight thereafter.

It was, however, at the South African reins where Queiroz began to attract the attention of the European club heavyweights, and when he became available in March 2002, Manchester United lured him to Old Trafford to assist Ferguson, who had been uncharacteristically without a right-hand man since Steve McClaren stepped down the previous summer to become Middlesbrough manager.

Queiroz accepted a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to coach Real Madrid in mid-2003, and when the Spanish giants sacked him after just one season, Ferguson quickly persuaded the United board to offer him back his previous position at the club. The Mozambique-born coach readily accepted and his impressive work has now earned him a chance he has long desired.

Portugal finished as runners-up to Greece at EURO 2004, lost 1-0 to France in their 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final, and were beaten 3-2 by Germany in the last eight at EURO 2008 last month. The squad that fell short in Austria and Switzerland possessed some highly-rated young talents, namely Ricardo Quaresma, 24, and Manchester United pair Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo, 21 and 23 respectively.

Queiroz must now attempt to exude the best from his talented cast and mastermind the capture of the Portuguese national team's first major trophy. He is not, however, taking a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for granted. "The first big objective is to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa," he told the Portuguese Football Federation's official website. ​

 

[saladguy]

As much as I like your stories, I think that you should scrap this and just focus on your Spurs story on sortitoutsi.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Portugal squad for friendly named
14th August, 2008

Patricio rumoured to make his debut​

Carlos Quieroz has named a twenty four man squad for Portugal's upcoming friendly against Faroe Islands on Wednesday at the Estadio Municipal de Averio.

Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio and striker Yannick Djalo could be given the oppurtunity to win their first cap for their country. Portugal will be without Manchester United's winger and UEFA Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo who is recovering from an ankle injury while Juventus centre-back Jorge Andrade is receiving specialist treatment for adamanged knee cap.

Carlos Quieroz is yet to announce his first team skipper and it is speculated that Nuno Gomes who led Portugal in the EURO 2008 finals in Asutra and Switzerland will be given the captain's armband for the upcoming friendly.

Carlos Queiroz had this to say about Portugal's upcoming game.

The friendly against Faroe Islands will be a very useful match for the team to regroup again after their exit in the EURO 2008 finals. We will try and score as many as possible against them. They are a good side and so we wont take them lightly. This match will really be useful to see our young talents like Patricio, Nani, Djalo etc who are the future of the country.

The Squad

Goalkeepers
Quim - Benfica
Ricardo - Benfica
Rui Patricio - Sporting Lisbon

Defenders
Jose Bosingwa - Chelsea
Paulo Ferreira - Chelsea
Ricardo Carvalho - Chelsea
Bruno Alves _ FC Porto
Nuno Valente - Everton
Pepe - Real Madrid
Miguel - Valencia

Midfielders
Miguel Veloso - Sporting Lisbon
Maniche - Atletico Madrid
Joao Mutinho - Sporting Lisbon
Raul Meireles - FC Porto
Tiago - Juevntus
Danny - Zenit St Petersburg
Nani - Manchester United
Ricardo Quaresma - Chelsea
Simao - Atletico Madrid
Deco - Chelsea

Forwards
Nuno Gomes(C) - Benfica
Yannick Djalo - Sporting Lisbon
Helder Postiga - Sporting Lisbon
Hugo Almeida - Werder Bremen​

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Injury problems for Portugal before friendly
16th August, 2008

Bosingwa and Ricardo ruled out​

Jose Bosingwa and Ricardo have been ruled out for Portugal in the upcoming friendly Faroe Islands and instead are replaced by Caneira and Nuno.

Jose Bosingwa the twenty-five year old right back injured himself in Chelsea's premier league opener against Blackburn Rovers. Bosingwa got a knock on his head when he went to challenge a header. Bosingwa is currently undergoing treatment for his bruised head injury and is expected to be out for around a week.

The twenty-nine-year-old Sporting Lisbon's defender Caneira has been called in as a replacement for Jose Bosingwa. Caneira is set to join the rest of the Portugal squad on Sunday evening and may be on the bench for the friendly.

There is another huge setback for Portugal. Portugal's number one keeper Ricardo is set to sit out of the friendly match against Faroe Islands. Ricardo who plays for Real betis was injured during training and has damaged his knee cartilage. According to the reports from the physio Ricardo may be out of action for around 4-5 weeks.

FC Porto's thirty-four-year-old uncapped goalkeeper Nuno has been called up as a replacement for the injured Ricardo. He will be joining the squad along with Caneira on Sunday. Nuno is likely to be on the bench for the match with Patricio making his debut for the country.

Carlos Quieroz has named Nuno Gomes the skipper for the upcoming friendly match and Deco will be his deputy. But also said that he would appoint his permanent skipper very soon before the start of World Cup Qualifiers.
​

 

[shalin_hitter]

Awesome story mate.And as usual superb presentation.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Maniche calls for Demolition Job

16th August, 2008​

Maniche calls for Demolition job​

Maniche has revealed that the Portugal camp are very confident they will win against Faroe Islands and score many goals on Wednesday.

The thirty-year-old central midfielder who is currently having a successful spell at Atletico Madrid told Setanta Sports that confidence in the Portugal camp is very high and the players could really give the nation a lift by knocking a hatful of goals past Faroe Islands.

"All the players are very eager to get going and play under new boss. All the players will be giving their level best to impress the new boss before the first World Cup Qualifier against Malta. The confidence over here is very high and all our eager to get on the score sheet.

"We are hoping to score many goals against Faroe Island and also entertain our home crowd. We are not going to under-estimate any side but that's the confidence within the team at the moment that we feel we can just completely destroy them."

Maniche who has scored seven times in forty-nine caps for Portugal was excluded from the EURO 2008 finals squad in Austria and Switzerland. He is happy to be back in the Portugal squad and is hoping to be back in the first team against Faroe Islands.

"I am very happy to be back in the Portugal squad. I played well for Atletico last season. I am delighted to be given a chance to impress the new boss and I will give my level best. I am hoping to start on Wednesday even and I will be trying to grab the opportunity with both hands." ​

 

[Jaztheman]

He's right, you should easily beat Faroe Islands with a comfortable scoreline.

Good writing and presentation, Shan. Keep this going mate.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

We wont miss Ronaldo much - Quieroz
16th August, 2008

Carlos Queiroz ahead of Portugal's friendly​

Carlos Queiroz too his first pre-match press conference ahead of Portugal's friendly against Faroe Islands tomorrow. He appeared in good spirits as he met the journalists.

You have sparked a major national debate with the shocking revelation that you have decided to drop Fernando Meira from the Portugal squad. How do you see this influencing the team?

Well Fernando Meira hasn't performed well for Galatasaray this season and I am selecting players on their performances. Meira is a good player but we have got some good defenders who are performing for their respective clubs. It will have good influence on the team and the players should know they must perform to play for their country.

Rui Patricio could win his first Portugal cap after your decision to call him up. How do you think he will handle pressure?

Well Rui has been great for Sporting last year. I was quite impress when I was at Manchester United and we played Sporting in the Group stages. He is a good, calm keeper and he is young. Well I imagine the experience with the first team and the pressure will do wonders for him.

The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and his ineternational experience must surely have some negative impact on the players?

There is no negatve impact on the players. Cristiano Ronaldo has been brilliant last season and he is one of the favourites to win the FIFA Player of the Year Award. He is always very useful for any side he plays in. But we are not one man show and we have got some good players who could just destroy any team on their day.

You have decided to include Ricardo Quaresma in your Portugal squad despite his injury. What are the chances that he will feature?

Well, I have not yet thought about or starting 11 so really I cant tell you anything at the moment. But yes he may feature in the game as he is almost 80% recovered from his ankle injury.

Thanks Carlos and hope you do win your first game as Portugal manager.
​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Portugal 1-0 Faroe Islands (HT)
17th August, 2008

Deco celebrates his opener​

1 min: Kick Off
Faroe Islands get the game underway.

7 min: Nielsen Save
Nani runs with balls and finds Mancihe with a pass to feet. Maniche moves forward with the ball and shoots but Nielsen saves and clutches the ball gratefully to his chest.

12 min: Maniche Chance
Johannus Amundsen trips Ricardo Carvalho. Paulo Ferreira plays the ball forward. Venalainen gets up above Nuno Gomes and clears the ball. Rogvi Mikkelsen wins the aerial challenge against Deco and heads clear but to Maniche. Maniche runs with the ball and shoots. But weill wide from Maniche.

19 min: Maniche Chance
Ferreira with ball for Portugal and passes to Deco. Deco half volleys it forward to Simao. Simao takes the ball forward and passes to Maniche. Maniche shoots for the top corner but it went over the bar.

27 min: Nielsen Save
Joao Moutinho runs with ball and plays a great ball for Simao. Simao continues into the penalty area and shoots but good save by Gunnar Nielsen who held the ball well. It was an excellent Portugal move.

33 min: Comment
Faroe Islands looks to weather the storm.

35 min: Nuno Gomes Chnace
Maniche runs with the ball and hits it forward for Deco Deco moves forward with the ball. Nuno Gomes picks up Deco's good ball and he half volleys it on his left foot, but Nuno Gomes puts is wide of goal. He should never have missed that.

39 min: Deco Goal
Maniche crosses the halfway line with the ball. Maniche passes to Deco who moves forward with the ball. Deco passes to Joao Moutinho, he comes forward and passes it forward to Nuno Gomes. Nuno Gomes with the ball for Portugal and he looks for Deco and DECO SCORES FOR PORTUGAL.

39 min: Kick Off
Faroe Islands get the action underway

40 min: Nielsen Save
Ferreira passes along the floor for Joao Moutinho to pick it up. He plays the balls to Deco's feet. Deco keeps the ball moving and hits a crashing drive from a distance, but Nielsen could not gather the ball cleanly.

45min: Added Time
2 minutes of injury time is played. portugal lead 1-0 at half time.
​

 

[Roofrom50]

Nice win for portugal there, good stuff mate keep this up

 

[saladguy]

It's nice to see Deco get a goal, he's one of my favourite players.

 

[Jaztheman]

Nice win for portugal there, good stuff mate keep this up

It's only half time.

Portugal to win 3-0 in the end. Good start by the Portugal team though and they're looking very comfortable indeed. Good stuff, Shantanu.

 

[topshotta]

Nice playing their from Portugual. I was expecting Portugual lead by five goals before half time . Hopefully they may score a few more goals.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Portugal 3-0 Faroe Islands (FT)
17th August, 2008

Danny celebrates his first goal for Portugal​

45 min: Portugal Substitutions
Yannick Djalo for Nuno Gomes, Ricardo Quaresma for Nani, Bruno Alves for Pepe, Caneira for Miguel, Miguel Veloso for Joao Moutinho and Danny for goal scorer Deco.

45 min: Kick Off
Portugal get the action underway.

52 min: Miguel Veloso Chance
Caneira brought the ball forward and found Simao with a low forward pass. Simao advances with the ball and passes to Miguel Veloso. Miguel Veloso runs with the ball and shoots. However the shot went wide.

55 min: Danny Chance
Bruno Alves heads the ball upfield to Simao who squares the ball left first time to Miguel Veloso. Miguel Veloso comes forward and finds Maniche with a pass to feet. Maniche moves the ball forwrad and finds Danny. Danny shoots but the ball just over the bar.

58 min: Danny Goal
Maniche centers the ball, Johan Manninen loses out to Yannick Djalo, Djalo brings the ball forward. Venalainen times a sliding tackle but Ricardo Quaresma intercepts the ball and comes forwrad. Quaresma centers the ball and finds Danny with plenty of time. Danny shoots and finds the bottom left corner. DANNY SCORES FOR PORTUGAL

59 min: Kick Off
Faroe Islands Kick Off

66 min: Ferreira Chance
Ferreira moves the ball forward and hits it forward for Miguel Veloso. Veloso keeps the ball moving and finds Ferreira with a low forward pass. Ferreira brings the ball forwards and shoots it from distance. Unfortunately just over the bar.

72 min: Ricardo Quaresma Chance
Simao tries an in-swinging corner. Richardsen jumps above Ricardo Carvalho and heads the ball clear for a throw-in. Simao throws the ball to Danny. Danny comes forward and passes to Qauresma in the area. Ricardo Quaresma hits it high and hard towards goal but he couldnt direct it on target.

82 min: Bruno Alves Goal
Maniche looks for Ferreira and finds Ferreira. Ferreira keeps the ball moving and floats it first time into the area from the left. Orgaard wins the aerial challenge against Caneira and heads the ball behind for a corner. Danny takes the corner. Brune Alves gets free in the penalty are and heads it in. BRUNO ALVES SCORES FOR PORTUGAL.

83 min: Kick Off
Faroe Islands get the game underway.

89 min: Patricio Save
Sorensen comes forward and gets the ball. Gisli Sorensen finds himself some space and bores down on goal. But the shot is well saved By Rui Patricio, otherwise that could have been some goal fro Gisli Sorensen,

90 min: Added Time
3 minutes of added time is to be played.

90+4 min: Full Time
Easy win for Portugal but the fans wanted to see some more goals. Danny has been sensational today.

--------------------------------------------------

Portugal: Patricio, Miguel(Caneira 45), Ferreira, Pepe(Bruno Alves 45), Carvalho, Moutinho(Veloso 45), Maniche, Simao, Deco(Danny 45), Nani(Quaresma 45), Nuno Gomes(C)(Djalo 45).
Subs Not Used: Quim, Tiago, Hugo Almeida.

Faroe Islands: Nielsen(C), R.Mikkelsen(Sorensen 70), A.Mikkelsen, Richardsen, Venalainen(Hafsteinsson 80), Vikman(Orgaard 59), Berg, Guomundsson(Madsen 59), Christensen, Amundsen(Makila 70), Manninen(Svavarsson 80).
Subs Not Used: Karv, Johansen, Mortensem.

MoTM: Deco

Att: 16,971.

Ref: D.McDonald
​