- Title: Portugal announce squad for Confederations Cup
- Date: 25th May 2017
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PORTUGAL COACH, FERNANDO SANTOS, SAYING: "When Latvia played here they presented us many difficulties, it's a squad who I have played against twice in their country while I was the Greek coach and it was always very difficult, we had a 1-1 draw there and we had a 2-1 victory, I'm very aware of the difficulties of these matches and that's why I say that I don't want anyone focusing on any other competition and my players will not have the time to think about that because I will not allow them to, they will only be focused on the match against Latvia because it's fundamental and very important for Portugal right now."
- Embargoed: 8th June 2017 13:41
- Keywords: Fernando Santos Confederations Cup Portugal
- Location: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL
- City: OEIRAS, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0056IC5C1R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Portugal coach Fernando Santos announced on Thursday (May 25) his preliminary squad for the Confederations Cup in Russia this summer.
Santos said he didn't expect his 23-man squad to change before the tournament with the team expected to face Cyprus at home in a friendly match on June 3 before a World Cup Qualifying game away to Latvia six days later.
The biggest omissions were midfielder Renato Sanches and forward Eder, two of the heroes from their triumphant Euro 2016 side, after a poor run of form at their respective clubs.
Sanches, 18 at the time, became a key player after he was given a starting place from the quarter-final onwards, while Guinea Bissau-born Eder scored the winning goal in the final against France after he was brought on as a substitute.
The coach said his full focus was on the qualifier against Latvia and hopes he his players won't be distracted by the upcoming tournament.
Portugal are drawn in Group A with their first match against North American champions Mexico on the 18th of June before they play hosts Russia on the 21st and end the group with a game against Oceania champions New Zealand on the 24th.
Group B pits world champions Germany against Asian champions Australia, African champions Cameroon and South American champions Chile. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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