Video Hugo Almeida, Jose Bosingwa, and Raul Meireles post-game interview of Liechtenstein 0-3 Portugal (Friendly) Aug 12, 2009.

Video click here

00:00 Hugo Almeida: "We have to keep working. I had two chances to score goals. I'm very happy about my performance."

00:27 Pepe: "We had an excellent first half. We did good football. We couldn't maintain the same level in the second half. We have to rest now and think of the next game. It's a fundamental game for us."

Cover of A Bola after Liechtenstein 0-3 Portugal (Friendly) Aug 12, 2009.

O Jogo sees the big victory with a skeptical eye. "Win when it really counts" referring to the game as a meaningless friendly. It's true. The goals are there, the morale will come for the qualification matches.

O Jogo cover after Liechtenstein 0-3 Portugal (Friendly) Aug 12, 2009.

Queiroz had experimented with the formation so badly that the goals weren't coming. e dared to even play without a forward for more than 45 minutes last year.

Not to mention he repeatedly dropped Nuno Gomes from the call-up list. In the August 12, 2009 friendly, he finally dared to discard the 4-3-3 formation. He started the game with 4-4-2 Simao on the right side, Almeida up front, left-back Duda not going forward constantly.

Photo Tiago, Raul Meireles in Liechtenstein 0-3 Portugal (Friendly) Aug 12, 2009

Tiago's back in the Portugal starting lineup. See LIECHTENSTEIN - PORTUGAL Video goals Aug 12, 2009 lineup- Eduardo in goal, Tiago replaces CR9, Hugo Almeida, Benfica gk Moreira in goal in 2nd half

Photo Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles in Portugal training June 10, 2008

Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles share a laugh during a training session of the national soccer team of Portugal in Neuchatel, Switzerland Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Portugal is in group A at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. AP Photo

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What time is it? Photo Joao Moutinho, Petit, Jose Bosingwa, Raul Meireles, and Simao Sabrosa checking their watches in training, May 22, 2008

Ok, they're checking their watches for heart rate.

Portugal soccer players check their watches during their training session at Montevelo golf course in Viseu, northern Portugal May 22, 2008. The players (L-R) are Joao Moutinho, Armando Petit, Jose Bosingwa, Raul Meireles, Miguel Monteiro and Simao Sabrosa. The Portuguese soccer squad is in Viseu preparing for the Euro 2008 Championship that will kick off on June 7. Reuters Pictures

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Video Edinho, Deco and Raul Meireles post-game interview- Portugal 2-0 South Africa, March 31, 2009

Portugal 2-0 South Africa, March 31, 2009. This was a great victory. After the game, the players said they needed this victory to give them confidence as a team. This was a friendly. Winning a qualification match-- that should give them confidence.

Video Post-game reaction of Edinho, Deco and Raul Meireles to Portugal 2-0 South Africa, March 31, 2009 (Reacção jogadores)

00:21 Carlos Queiroz about the Portugal 2-0 South Africa game: "The team was more animated and confident. We're in better conditions to work. We did a good game and won the 3 points."

00:33 Edinho (AEK) (forward called up for the first time): "Yes, I made my dream come true. Nonetheless, I met the players that are humble. I found a strong and united group. I'm satisfied to join them."

Not in the video:
The second goal on the record is an own-goal South Africa's Twala. Yet, Edinho says he scored it: "That goal is mine. I was involved in that pass with the central defender, but I was the last one to touch the ball. The victory is important to give confidence to the team."
(O golo é meu. Dividi o lance com o central, mas fui o último a tocar na bola. A vitória foi importante para dar confiança à equipa.)

00:50 Deco: "Its was a good game., good to win this game. It was important to win to gain confidence. After the game against Sweden we couldn't give up."
É sempre importante ganhar. Teoricamente, o jogo não era tão difícil, mas o resultado dá-nos mais confiança para os próximos jogos", resumiu Pepe.

01:15 Raul Meireles: "I think we have the strength of the group. This vicotry proves this. After the game [Portugal 0-0 Sweden] we saw the video. It confirmed what we already knew. It was a good performance but what was missing is the goal."

01:15 Reporter Nuno Luz in the soccer pitch right after the game. Nani giving autographs. Reporter: "Portugal returned to the goal and victory path. On June 6th, Portugal will be back on a soccer pitch. This time it will be a qualification match in Albania. It will be a serious game."

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Photo Danny (Zenith), Raul Meireles, Pepe, on cover of Record, March 28, 2009.

Photo Danny, Raul Meireles, Pepe, on cover of Record, March 28, 2009. This is the day of the important qualification match Prtugal 0-0 Sweden.

I was surprised to see Danny on the cover.

English translation:
The national team has to beat Sweden, something that have never happened at home.

Danny (Zenith), Raul Meireles, Pepe prepared to face this decisive game for the 2010 world cup.

THIS TIME IT'S TO WIN

Ronaldo: "If everyone did what I did, we would have been world champions."

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Video Raul Meireles press conference after heavy defeat against Arsenal, Oct 20, 2008

Video Raul Meireles press conference after heavy defeat against Arsenal, Oct 20, 2008

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Photo Raul Meireles interview outside training ground, March 24, 2009

Raul Meireles interview outside training ground, March 24, 2009. In camp at Obidos for the March 28, 2009 game Portugal v. Sweden. See the video interview.

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Video Raul Meireles interview about Portugal v.Sweden after training March 24, 2009

Video outside the training ground in Obidos, March 24, 2009. Second day of training before the qualification match, Portugal v. Sweden at the Dragao.

The game will be in his "home stadium" FC Porto's Dragao.

Raul Meireles:
"There were good Portugal games before where we didn't get the three points. Now we have to think more of the 3 points than in the performance.

00:34 The message I give to the supporters is that they continue to support us, to believe in us. We're going to do everything to win this game."
----------
I hope he does well, and doesn't miss any passes. I remember when the friendly against the Faroe Islands was at Alvalade and Nani was motivated to score in his home stadium. He was still with Sporting.

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Video Portugal training, Raul Meireles, Hugo Almeida interview March 24, 2009 in Obidos

Video Portugal training March 24, 2009 in Obidos

00:15 Nani shoots, goalkeeper defends it. Unclear which goalkeeper one it was.

00:22 Raul Meireles bouncing the ball on his knees.
00:30 Raul Meireles interview outside the training ground- "There were good Portugal games before where we didn't get the three points. Now we have to think more of the 3 points than in the performance."

00:40 Hugo Almeida: "It's not a decisive game but for us, we have to win it. We are playing at home. In this time, playing away is not easy so we hope it's like that for Sweden."
---------
Glad to see Raul Meireles speak. Deco didn't partipate in today's trainig session. Meireles might be in the starting lineup.

Screenshots of the video:

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Video Portugal training session in Neuchatel, June 2, 2008

Video Video Portugal training in Neuchatel, June 2, 2008

01:00 Close-up of the Portugal players in pairs, stretching the hamstrings. They are wearing the oversized green shweatshirt, black shorts, green socks. On the left- Carvalho with red boots, and Deco.

01:21 Joao Moutinho with Raul Meireles

01:48 Players with the ball

01:50 Close-up Cristiano Ronaldo

02:28 Nuno Gomes passing the ball with Simao

02:40 Raul Meireles

02:58 Cristiano Ronaldo, 03:00 spinning on one side, turning 3 times

training footage until th 8th minute.
Players in a circle passing the ball
09:30 Jose Bosingwa practicing headers with Brassard. Bosingwa switching from left to right of Brassard who throws him the ball on his forehead.

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Video Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves with FC Porto at the Madrid airport before Champions League game against Atletico, Feb 23, 2009

Video Raul Meireles and Bruno Alves with FC Porto at the Madrid airport before their Champions League game against Atletico.

(FC Porto já está em Madid, Jornal de Desporto| 23/02/2009)

00:20 Raul Meireles walking with a carryon luggage and a light-colored scarf

00:27 Bruno Alves walking with a carryon luggage

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Video 21-man list of Portugal squad for next 2 games Sweden (qualification) and South Africa (friendly)- No Nuno Gomes, no goalkeeper Ricardo

The 21-man call-up list of the Portugal squad was announced today on the
Federação Portuguesa de Futebol website. The next 2 Portugal games are:

Portugal v. Sweden, March 28, 2009, Estádio do Dragão, Porto, qualification match
South Africa, Lausanne, Switzerland, friendly, África do Sul

After this weekend's games, Carlos Queiroz, will add one more player to the 21-man list. Two plaeyrs called up for the first time, Nelson a defender from Betis, and goalkeeper Beto from Leixoes. Nelson, why? Betis has conceded many goals in the last month, why him and not goalkeeper Ricardo?

As a fan in the USA, how come they can't play at least one friendly here. Lots of European expats and fans here too!

21-man list:

Goalkeepers:

Daniel Fernandes (Bochum/Ale),
Eduardo (Sporting Braga)
Beto (Leixões).

Defenders:

Bruno Alves (FC Porto),
Gonçalo Brandão (Siena/Ita),
Pepe (Real Madrid/Esp),
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea/Ing),
Nelson (Bétis/Esp),
Bosingwa (Chelsea/Ing)
Rolando (FC Porto).

Midfielders:

Deco (Chelsea/Ing),
João Moutinho (Sporting),
Maniche (Atlético Madrid/Esp),
Raúl Meireles (FC Porto),
Duda (Málaga/Esp)
Tiago (Juventus/Ita).

Forwards:

Danny (Zenit/Rus),
Simão (Atlético Madrid/Esp),
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen/Ale),
Nani (Manchester United/Ing)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Ing).

Who surprised you?

No Nuno Gomes he does play a few minutes every week. Orlando Sa from Sp. Braga, I thought he'd make it. No Ricardo Quaresma either.

Video with the 21-man list: from SIC evening news, Edição da Tarde, 19/03/2009



00:00 One sees goalkeepers training with the green Portugal training kit.

00:23 The chart with the called up players, goalkeepers, midfielders, defenders, forwards.

01:09 Interview to Carlos Queiroz in Portuguese: About the game against Sweden. "It's an important game for us. We'll face a team that everyone knows is a competitor and difficult. We also know that those are the reasons that will motivate us and that will inspire us to show great football. We need to win the game agaisnt Sweden."

02:16 Interview to Stefan Schwarz, former Sweden player, in Portuguese:
"I think that all the Swedes and the coach know that Portugal is better technically and individually. However, Sweden has the force of the team, a comapct team and well-organized team.

02:32 Footage of Portugal players with the green Portugal team polo shirt.
I could tell it's from the Euro 2008 because there was Paulo Ferreira smiling. We all know he's injured and not in the list.

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Photo Raul Meireles in FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009.

Raul Meireles played all 90 minutes in FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009.



Raul Meireles FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009. Photo: fcporto.pt



Raul Meireles FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009. Photo: fcporto.pt



Raul Meireles FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009



Raul Meireles FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009



Raul Meireles, second from bottom, in the FC Porto starting lineup, FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009



Raul Meireles in FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009. Photo: Paulo M. Guerrinha



Raul Meireles in FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009. Photo: Paulo M. Guerrinha



Raul Meireles in FC Porto 0-0 Atletico, March 10, 2009. Photo: Paulo M. Guerrinha

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Simão Sabrosa, Maniche, Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves in Porto v. Atletico- lineups, March 11, 2009

Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles and Simão are in the starting lineup in

FC Porto v. Atletico

Maniche is on the bench. No surprise. Third game in a row that he's on the bench. I'm going for Atletico Madrid in this game.

Champions League
Estádio do Dragão, no Porto.
Referee: Pieter Vink (Holanda)

FC PORTO
Helton, Sapunaru, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Fernando, Lucho, Raul Meireles, Rodríguez, Hulk e Lisandro.
Substitutes: Nuno, Stepanov, Madrid, Tomás Costa, Mariano, Tarik Sektioui e Farías.
Coach: Jesualdo Ferreira

AT. MADRID
Leo Franco, Perea, Pablo, Ujfalusi, Antonio López, Paulo Assunção, Raúl Garcia, Maxi Rodríguez, Simão, Aguero e Sinama-Pongolle.
Substitutes: Coupet, Camacho, Heitinga, De las Cuevas, Pernia, Maniche e Forlán.
Coach: Abel Resino

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Goalkeeper Ricardo back in the "pre-call up list" of Queiroz for the next 2 Portugal game, Sweden and friendly with South Africa

Goalkeeper Ricardo back in goal in the next Portugal game? Not really knowing how stubborn Carlos Queiroz is. So a few days ago, I commented that if Ricardo does make it back, it would be the headline---- no matter who else is a surprise in the list.

Sure enough, today the list of Portugal's pre-call-up list was announced. See for yourself the headline on Record, Portuguese paper March 9, 2009:


After seeing the 38-man pre-call up list I'd say another surprise was Chelsea 2nd choice goalkeeper Hilario.

38-man list pre-call up list by Carlos Queiroz for the decisive qualification match against Sweden (March 28, 2009) and 3 days later, South Africa in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Chelsea is the club with most called up players, 5. FC Porto e Sporting have 3 called up players each. Benfica, only 2 players.
-------
Chelsea:Deco,
Ricardo Quaresma,
Hilário,
Bosingwa
Ricardo Carvalho

FC Porto: Bruno Alves
Raul Meireles
Rolando
Hélder Postiga,
João Moutinho
Rui Patrício, goalkeeper Sporting)
Simão e Maniche (Atlético de Madrid)

Ruben Amorim
Nuno Gomes

Nelson
Ricardo, R. Betis goalkeeper

Orlando Sá
Eduardo, Sp. Braga goalkeeper

Málaga: Eliseu
Duda

Nani
Cristiano Ronaldo

Manuel Fernandes, Miguel
Edinho (AEK)
Varela (Estrela da Amadora)

José Gonçalves (Nuremberga)
Danny (Zenit)
Fernando Meira (Galatasaray)
Tiago (Juventus)
Beto (Leixões)

Pedro Mendes (Rangers)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Gonçalo Brandão (Siena)

Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)
Daniel Fernandes (Bochum)
André Marques (Vitória de Setúbal)
------

What did you think of the players in the list?

Hilario was one of the 5 goalkeepers in the list. Will he make it to the final 2 in the call-up list?

There was no Quim because he's on the bench at Benfica.

Ricardo is in goal at Betis since late January 2009. Was on the bench in the first half of the season. Started well but looked bad in the last game Mallorca 3-3 Betis.

Eduardo is #1 in goal at Sp. Braga. He's playing in the UEFA Cup, good performances.

Daniel Fernandes, #1 goalkeeper in Bochum. Haven't seen Bochum games.

Rui Patricio returned in goal at Sporting in the last game. He had missed at least 4 games after injuring his pinky finger on his left hand.

Hilario is #2 goalkeeper at Chelsea.

4 Central defenders: Pepe (Real Madrid), Fernando Meira (Galatasaray), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

Who will be the pair in the central defense?

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FC Porto - Atletico March 10, 2009 Champions League game. Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles, Simão, Maniche

FC Porto - Atletico
March 10, 2009 Champions League
Atletico: Simao Sabrosa, Maniche,
FC Porto: Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves,

FC Porto tied at the Calderon so they have an advantage over Atletico. Would be interesting if Bruno Alves is in the Portugal starting lineup. Carvalho is back and Pepe is fit. Most likely the pair will be Pepe and Carvalho. We'll see.

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Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves in the starting lineup LEIXÕES - FC PORTO, March 7, 2009

LEIXÕES 0-2 FC PORTO
March 7, 2009, 57th minute
(Lucho 23' pen., Hulk 50'),
Raul Meireles and Bruno Alves in the starting lineup. I'm listening to it on Antena1.

Liga Sagres, Matchday 21
Estádio do Mar, em Matosinhos.
Referee: Rui Costa

Lineups:
LEIXÕES
Beto, Laranjeiro, Nuno Silva, Élvis, Angulo, Roberto Sousa, Bruno China, Hugo Morais, Ruben, Diogo Valente e Rodrigo.
Substitutes: Berger, Joel, Zé Manuel, Braga, Castanheira, Jean Sony e Chumbinho.
Coach: José Mota

FC PORTO
Helton, Tomás Costa, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Fernando, Raul Meireles, Lucho, Mariano, Farías e Hulk.

Substitutes: Nuno, Pedro Emanuel, Stepanov, Ivo Pinto, Lisandro, Tarik, Rabiola e Andrés Madrid.
Coach: Jesualdo Ferreira

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