- Title: Portugal aim to finish top of group in World Cup qualifiers
- Date: 6th October 2016
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (OCTOBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) PORTUGAL COACH FERNANDO SANTOS ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE SANTOS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Portugal has a clear goal. It wants to take part in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and also wants to be top of the group and we know that at this point that we can only rely on ourselves. We know that the first match of this qualifier did not go the way we were expecting, but we depend on ourselves and we have a clear goal and all matches have the same degree of importance. The name of the opponent doesn't matter to us." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Regarding Cristiano (Ronaldo), I think that's a matter that everyone recognises. With Cristiano any team will be stronger, he is the best in the world and because of that Portugal gets better and stronger and for us it's good to have Cristiano with us and able to play." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "Portugal will be in the 2018 World Cup for sure, because we have a squad of great quality, players of great quality. It's a squad that knows very well what they have to do, I have great confidence in them. They know what they need to do and I know that tomorrow no one will facilitate it." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, TALKING ABOUT FIFA PRESIDENT INFANTINO'S PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TEAMS IN THE WORLD CUP TO 48 TEAMS, SAYING: "I don't know the details yet, I didn't have time yet (to check), but I will study the proposal and understand what is the idea of the FIFA president. Now is not right time because I'm now focused on the two matches that Portugal has to play, but at the right time I will give my opinion about that matter." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH FERNANDO SANTOS SAYING: "I as a national coach talk about football, but as a Portuguese I'm always proud when one of my countrymen (Antonio Guterres) reaches a position of so much relevance in the world. It's not only in Europe, it's in the world, it's the top position in the world so we are all surely very proud to see his nomination finally happening as UN Secretary General and that will be a motive of pride for every Portuguese person. Congratulations to him." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS SANTOS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 21st October 2016 13:31
- Keywords: Portugal squad Andorra World Cup qualifier Soccer Fernando Santos
- Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00152VB7ZZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Portugal Coach Fernando Santos said on Thursday (October 6) ahead of his side's World Cup qualifier against Andorra that the European champions expect to be top of their group and take part in Russia 2018.
"Portugal has a clear goal. It wants to take part in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and also wants to be top of the group and we know that at this point that we can only rely on ourselves," he said at news conference in Lisbon.
"Portugal will be in the 2018 World Cup for sure, because we have a squad of great quality."
Santos also said having Cristiano Ronaldo back on board made the team stronger.
The Real Madrid forward has struggled with injury ever since limping out of the Euro 2016 final against France in Paris.
The Portuguese coach also said he had to study FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to increase the number of teams in the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams and praised fellow countryman Antonio Guterres who is poised to be the next United Nations Secretary General later on Thursday.
"I'm always proud when one of my countrymen (Antonio Guterres) reaches a position of so much relevance in the world," he said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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