PORTUGAL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Forward Cristiano Ronaldo joins up with other Portuguese players to train for World Cup

Record ID: 555835

  • Title: PORTUGAL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Forward Cristiano Ronaldo joins up with other Portuguese players to train for World Cup
  • Date: 22nd May 2010
  • Summary: COVILHA, PORTUGAL (MAY 21, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SPECTATORS ARRIVING TO WATCH TRAINING SESSION CRISTIANO RONALDO ARRIVING FOR TRAINING SESSION PEOPLE WATCHING ON STANDS VARIOUS OF PORTUGAL PLAYERS WARMING UP PEOPLE WATCHING ON STANDS CRISTIANO ENTERING PITCH VARIOUS OF CARLOS QUEIROZ PORTUGAL COACH TALKING TO PLAYERS TRAINING IN PROGRESS CRISTIANO RONALDO TRAINING VARIOUS OF TRAINING SESSION (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) MIDFIELDER, RAUL MEIRELES, SAYING: "Quality we have, so going far is being champion. Of course there are many sides that also have the same ambition as us but, as I say, if we have will and we have quality, with good work I think we can achieve it." (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RIGHT BACK, MIGUEL, SAYING: "We're conscious of our value. We know we are in a complicated group, but we know we have all the chances to go through. It depends on us, it depends on how we are in the first game. It's going to be pretty important for us. Ivory Coast is quite a strong team and we have to prepare well for that game and winning the first one everything will be easier."" (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) DEFENDER, DUDA, SAYING: "I think we are a great side and a great national squad. A respected rival, we expect that in the first game we can demonstrate that we are a strong team and can be present in the next phase." TRAINING CAMP SYMBOL VIEW OF COVILHA
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Portugal
  • Country: Portugal
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAXLT8HCMDGOQ737MMPJ0RSGXX
  • Story Text: Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the mountain city of Covilha in northeastern Portugal to join the national side's World Cup training camp on Friday (May 21).
    Ronaldo was one of several players to arrive at the training camp a few days later than their teammates after having played club football last weekend.
    Midfielder Raul Meireles arrived for his first training session confident that ambition and effort could result in success for Portugal in South Africa.
    "Quality we have, so going far is being champion. Of course there are many sides that also have the same ambition as us but, as I say, if we have will and we have quality, with good work I think we can achieve it," he said.
    Right-back Miguel recognized that Portugal have been drawn in a tough group but added that progress is in the side's own hands.
    "We're conscious of our value. We know we are in a complicated group, but we know we have all the chances to go through. It depends on us, it depends on how we are in the first game. It's going to be pretty important for us," he said.
    Miguel added that Portugal's first match, against African favourite the Ivory Coast could be crucial
    "Ivory Coast is quite a strong team and we have to prepare well for that game and winning the first one everything will be easier."
    Duda, who played on the left side of defence in Portugal's qualifiers, also said a good showing in the first game at the finals could lead to reaching the second round.
    "I think we are a great side and a great national squad, a respected rival. We expect that in the first game we can demonstrate that we are a strong team and can be present in the next phase," Duda said.
    Portugal will play two friendlies at Covilha, against Cape Verde on Monday and against Cameroon on June 1, before flying to South Africa four days later.
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