The surprise is that 3 players were called up for the first time: Eliseu (Málaga), Gonçalo Brandão (Siena) e Orlando Sá (Sp. Braga). Photo of the 3 players as it appeared on today's [Feb. 5, 2009] Record.pt.
NO NUNO GOMES!!!! Unbelievable.
No surprise- Excluded goalkeeper Ricardo and the first-choice goalkeeper since Queiroz took over, Benfica's Quim. Quim had lost his place in Benfica. Only in the last Benfica game was he going to play in goal for the first time in weeks.
No Miguel Veloso. Been dropped form the Sporting CP squad because he was almost going to transfer to Bolton. Failed transfer so he's staying in Sporting again.
Surprised Tiago was called up! He was on the bench in the last Juventus game.
Some of the "pillars" of the Portugal team are missing, Ricardo Carvalho and Jose Bosingwa. The Portugal team won't be the same starting 11 in the qualifyer game in March. Once again, Queiroz will test the "future" in defense and midfield.
Carlos Queiroz announced the Portugal 20-man call-up list on fpf.pt (Portuguese FA site).
--Portugal team for the Feb. 11 friendly Portugal v. Finland
(convocados para o jogo de carácter particular, diante da Finlândia, marcado para a próxima quarta-feira (11 de Fevereiro), pelas 20h45, no Estádio Algarve.)
Daniel Fernandes (VFL Bochum 1848)
Eduardo (SC Braga)
Defenders:
Bruno Alves (FC Porto)
Gonçalo Brandão (AC Siena)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Miguel (Valência CF)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea FC)
Rolando (FC Porto)
Midfielders:
Deco (Chelsea FC)
João Moutinho (Sporting CP)
Maniche (Atletico Madrid)
Raúl Meireles (FC Porto)
Duda (Málaga CF)
Tiago (Juventus FC)
Eliseu (Málaga CF)
Forwards:
Danny (FC Zenit)
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)
Nani (Manchester Utd)
Orlando Sá (SC Braga)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
Who will be right-back? Miguel or Paolo Ferreira? I think Ferreira will "pay" for his embarassing performance in the last portugal game Brazil 6-2 Portugal.
Out of all the 20 players I want Danny to do his very best with the Portugal jersey. He's extraordinary at Zenith, and I'm hoping he gains the confidence of Carlos Queiroz to start.
---- What's your Portugal starting lineup?
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