The Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Mozambique, 56). Appointed: July 2008. WC experience: Player: None. Coach: None.
Queiroz could take advice from Sir Alex Ferguson if he has a problem next summer, having worked as his assistant, but he is a coach in his own right having led Portugal in the '90s, as well as South Africa and Real Madrid.
The Country: Portugal ended England’s hopes in 2006 when the world’s most famous winker, Cristiano Ronaldo, helped engineer Wayne Rooney’s departure. The Portugal captain missed the play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but still the country got through to qualify for their third successive finals.
A second-half strike by Raul Meireles was enough to break Bosnian hearts and send 2006 semi-finalists Portugal through to the finals. The Portuguese had won a hard-fought first leg 1-0 courtesy of a close-range header by Bruno Alves.
But Portugal limped through the first half of their qualifying programme prior to a late rally, winning only five of their 10 group games and finishing two points behind Denmark. Indeed, it was only in the last game that they succeeded in reaching the play-offs, so they will not arrive in South Africa highly confident, though if Ronaldo is fit, they have one player who can turn any game.
Their leading scorer in the qualifiers was Simao with just four goals, and they will hope that Chelsea midfielder Deco, now 32, can enjoy one more impressive finals performance. Others who are key to Portugal’s success include more players from Stamford Bridge: Jose Bosingwa, Paolo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho.
Telegraph verdict: Coach Queiroz has been pilloried but Portugal have been on the wane for the past two years. Still, they have Ronaldo and so cannot be easily dismissed even if they do look vulnerable.
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