Three-way fight for Portugal no. 1 shirt

Quim, Eduardo & Daniel Fernandes look to impress Queiroz

One of the major talking points of Carlos Queiroz’s first squad selection as new Portugal coach was the omission of goalkeeper Ricardo. The Real Betis stopper was considered undroppable by former coach Scolari, but a poor Euro 2008 may have brought the curtain down on his international career.

Benfica’s Quim, Braga’s Eduardo and Bochum’s Daniel Fernandes are now in a three-way fight to win the no. 1 spot for the national team.

Quim, so long an understudy, first to Vitor Baia then to Ricardo, finds himself in the happy situation of apparently being the logical first choice. “I wouldn’t say it’s a question of finally,” said the 32-year-old.

“The objective is the same as always – to play. I view this call-up as another chance to work hard in order to be able to play.

“We are three goalkeepers with value and any one of us can be selected. For this reason I’m going to be the same as always. I’m going to give everything to be in the starting line-up and do my best. I feel in good form.”

Ambition

Many felt Braga goalkeeper Eduardo, who enjoyed a magnificent season last year on loan at Setubal, was unlucky not to make the Euro 2008 squad, and he admitted he has been eyeing a place in the squad for some time.

“I expected to be called up earlier,” said Eduardo candidly. “I’ve worked and I always work hard with the aim of making it to the Seleccao. It’s been my ambition for a long time to taste this moment and fortunately finally it’s happened. I don’t want it to be a one-off. It’s difficult to get here and I want to stay in the squad.”

Asked to compare the attributes of the three goalkeepers in the squad Eduardo replied “Some of us are stronger in some aspects, others in others. Quim is very experienced and have proved he is a top performer, Daniel Fernandes is young like me. We’re all going to give our best.”


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Ricardo praise

Canadian born Fernandes, who moved to German outfit Bochum this close season, was one of the surprise selections by Queiroz. The up-and-coming keeper made a point of praising former Portugal no. 1 Ricardo.

“I admire Ricardo, he helped me a lot, but this is football. I’m happy to be in Germany. I hope this gives me more visibility so I can be called up more times to the squad. My aim is to continue here.” Fernandes, who plied his trade in Greece in recent seasons, played in his team’s opening Bundesliga match on the weekend.

“I played my first match in the German championship on the weekend and I was already thinking about the Seleccao. I want to take advantage of this opportunity because I think I have a chance of being an option.”