PORTUGAL: PORTUGUESE COACH LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI PREPARES HIS SOCCER TEAM FOR EURO 2004 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Record ID:
588553
PORTUGAL: PORTUGUESE COACH LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI PREPARES HIS SOCCER TEAM FOR EURO 2004 CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Title: PORTUGAL: PORTUGUESE COACH LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI PREPARES HIS SOCCER TEAM FOR EURO 2004 CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Date: 28th March 2003
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (MARCH 28, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. PORTUGUESE SQUAD ARRIVING AT NATIONAL STADIUM, INCLUDING RUI COSTA (LONG HAIR) AND PAULETA LAST 2. MANAGER LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI AND THE PORTUGUESE CAPTAIN FERNANDO COUTO 3. RUI COSTA WITH BRAZILIAN-BORN DECO 4. SCOLARI WITH DEFENDER ROGERIO MATIAS 5. SIMAO SABROSA SHOT, KEEPER PARRIED AND PAULETA SCORES 6. SCOLARI WITH RUI COSTA 7. DECO STARTS MOVE AND PAULETA SCORES 8. PEOPLE WATCHING 9. DECO FREE KICK PRACTICE 10. SOUNDBITE (PORTUGUESE) SCOLARI SAYING: "From my side and from the part of the Brazilian team, it would be a very emotional moment. It is a situation we have not lived through before and to meet great friends again, it is going to be a big party before the match. It is a great joy for both sides because what we lived through before, after and during the World Cup, it is something unique that we are going to keep in our memories from my side and theirs." OPORTO, PORTUGAL (MARCH 28, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL ) 11. RONALDO LEADS BRAZIL FROM BUS 12. MANAGER CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA AND BORUSSIA DORTMUND STRIKER AMOROSO 13. RONALDO, RIVALDO AND REST OF TEAM PRACTICING BALL SKILLS 14. RONALDINHO GAUCHO 15. CAFU BEATS OPPONENTS AT MATCH PRACTICE 16. SOUNDBITE Portuguese BRAZILIAN CAPTAIN CAFU SAYING: "I will give him, Scolari, a hug, no doubt about it. "I will congratulate him for everything he has done for Brazilian soccer and also for what he has been doing in Portugal. After the friendship we established at the World Cup, I will wish him, after the game obviously, soul, and If I score, I will run to the bench to speak with him. (lAUGHS)" 17. RONALDO, RIVALDO, ROBERTO CARLOS IN ATTACK, FINAL SHOT BY KLEBERSON SAVED BY GOALKEEPER MARCOS Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 12th April 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LISBON AND OPORTO, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Reuters ID: LVA9T4FJFT91U8T6TBIXQAYFWSO3
- Story Text: Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will try to lead Portugal to
victory over the Brazilian team he himself made world-beaters for
a record fifth time less than a year ago.
Although billed as a friendly, both sides have a lot to
play for. Brazil have to defend their prestige as reigning
World Cup winners, while Portugal are keen to improve on a
disastrous campaign in Korea last year in time for hosting the
European championships next year.
As Euro 2004 hosts, Portugal automatically qualify and
will have to rely on friendlies to build up form rather than
open competition.
In their first game under 'Big Phil' Scolari's tenure last
month, Portugal's 1-0 away loss to Italy showed up their
long-standing lack of a striker to finish off typically neat
build-ups.
Scolari arrived in Portugal last month with the aim of
taking his new team to the finals of the 2004 championships.
Up front, Scolari is likely to retain Pauleta as a lone
striker. Behind him veteran AC Milan midfielder Rui Costa
should be partnered by controversial newboy Deco Souza, Luis
Figo and Sergio Conceicao.
If Pauleta fails to come up with the goods, Scolari may
bring on former Firenze player Nuno Gomes, whom he has
recalled after leaving him out of the Italy game.
Brazilian-born Decos naturalisation last month drew public
opposition from Costa and Figo, who were then just as publicly
slapped down by Scolari and prominently pictured training with
their new compatriot.
Deco is a logical replacement for Joao Pinto, who punched
the referee who sent him off during Portugal's World Cup clash
with co-hosts South Korea in the 2002 World Cup finals.
Portugal went on to lose 1-0 and were knocked out of the
tournament.
Porto playmaker Deco has done much to give his team a
runaway lead in the Portuguese premiership, tearing apart
defences to set up goals for others, scoring himself and
taking lethal free kicks.
Scolari is expected to use four defenders rather than the
three he fielded against Italy, including Lazio's Fernando
Couto.
Ricardo Pereira will most likely be back in goal, having
been Scolaris choice after spending a disappointing World Cup
campaign on the bench.
When Portugal and Brazil last met in April 2002, Ricardo
spectacularly denied Ronaldo and helped hold the visitors to a
1-1 draw.
Probable teams:
Portugal: Ricardo Pereira; Paulo Ferreira, Fernando Meira,
Fernando Couto, Rui Jorge; Francisco Costinha; Luis Figo, Rui
Costa, Deco, Sergio Conceicao; Pauleta.
Brazil: Marcos; Cafu, Luisao, Edmilson, Roberto Carlos;
Kleberson, Gilberto Silva; Ronaldinho Gaucho, Rivaldo, Ze
Roberto; Ronaldo.
Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel)
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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