SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Portugal prepare for their opening World Cup game against Ivory Coast

Record ID: 1525954

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Portugal prepare for their opening World Cup game against Ivory Coast
  • Date: 15th June 2010
  • Summary: PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 14, 2010) (REUTERS) PAN INTERIOR OF NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM DETAIL PORTUGUESE FLAG PORTUGUESS PLAYERS ONTO PITCH CLOSE OF PORTAGES STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO RUNNING MORE OF THE TEAM TRAINING GOALKEEPERS TRAINING PLAYERS TRAINING CRISTIANO RONALDO HEADING THE BALL MORE OF RONALDO MIDFIELDER DECO TRAINING WITH RONALDO COACH CARLOS QUEIROZ WALKING AND CHECKING THE PITCH VARIOUS OF QUEIROZ CHECKING THE STADIUM (3 SHOTS) QUEIROZ ENTERING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL SOCCER TEAM COACH CARLOS QUEIROZ SAYING: "In terms of winning and victory, what is important for us is to win, the first goal's obviously will give us a certain motivation and the encouragement that we need and we have to do everything we can to get as many goals from the beginning. The World Cup is something that doese not allow us to make mistakes so from the beginning we want to get the three points and obviously we have nine points so the first three as good as the last ones." JOURNALISTS PORTUGUESE MIDFIELDER DECO ENTERING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM DECO SITTING (SOUNDBDITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGUESE MIDFIELDER DECO SAYING: "Obviously, the team has huge expectations but the first game is usually the most complicated but we are ready and we prepared ourselves very well and we did what build-up needed to be done. And we have to wait for tomorrow and play." WORLD BALL ON TABLE DECO LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2010 19:02
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA5Z2PZI3MP4Q9FQBMMASBDC48G
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Portugal soccer team ready to attack from the start when they face the Ivory Coast in their World Cup Group G encounter.
    The Portugal soccer squad held a training session on Monday (June 14) in Port Elizabeth a day before their match against Ivory Coast's Elephants in Group G.
    The match at the Port Elizabeth Stadium could dictate who advances from a tough section that also features five-times World Cup winners Brazil and the tournament's most mysterious side North Korea.
    Portugal have a lot to prove after a patchy journey to the finals and doubts remain over whether the influential Pepe is ready to start after a lengthy injury layoff.
    There are also question marks about Cristiano Ronaldo's ability to replicate his potent performances with Real Madrid at the World Cup after mediocre displays in the qualifiers.
    Although the Ivorians have plenty of talent, the absence of the inspirational Drogba, who scored an eye-popping 37 goals for Chelsea in all competitions last season, could complicate their chances of reaching the second round for the first time.
    Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said that his team will try to score from the beginning of the match.

    "In terms of winning and victory, what is important for us is to win, the first goal's obviously will give us a certain motivation and the encouragement that we need and we have to do everything we can to get as many goals from the beginning. The World Cup is something that doese not allow us to make mistakes so from the beginning we want to get the three points and obviously we have nine points so the first three as good as the last ones," Qeueiroz told reporters.
    Meanwhile Portugal's famous midfielder Deco said that the team is ready and have prepared well for Tuesday's match.

    "Obviously the team has huge expectations but the first game is usually the most complicated but we are ready and we have prepared ourselves very well and we did what build-up needed to be done. And we have to wait for tomorrow and play," Deco.
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