Quote:
Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has named a strong squad for next Wednesday’s friendly international against Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road.
The Brazilian’s 18-strong travelling party includes Damien Duff’s Chelsea clubmates Tiago and Paolo Ferreira, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona playmaker Deco.
Others with top-level Champions League experience include defender Jorge Andrade of Deportivo La Coruna, FC Porto’s defensive midfielder Costinha, Benfica pair Simao and Nuno Gomes and Paris St Germain’s Pauleta.
Luis Figo and Rui Costa, the outstanding icons of Portugal’s Golden Generation of the 1990s, announced their retirement from international football in the wake of last summer’s Euro 2004 finals in their home country, when the Portuguese side lost out to Greece in the decider.
Scolari is without injured Chelsea central defender Ricardo Carvalho and Porto midfielder Maniche, both of whom are ruled out by injury.
Portugal squad (friendly v. Rep of Ireland, 9/2/2005):
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting), Quim Silva (Braga).
Defenders: Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo Coruna), Marco Caneira (Valencia), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart), Rogerio Matias (Vitoria Guimaraes).
Midfielders: Costinha (Porto), Armando Petit (Benfica), Manuel Fernandes (Benfica), Hugo Viana (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona), Tiago (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica).
Strikers: Pauleta (Paris St Germain), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham).
Decent squad, should be fun. :)