Nani shines as new-look Portugal overrun Faeroe Islands

Portugal 5-0 Faeroe Islands

As expected, the reign of Carlos Queiroz as Portugal coach got off to a confident start with a straight-forward victory over minnows, the Faeroe Islands.

Carlos Martins, Simao, Duda, Bruno Alves and Nani all found the net in a 5-0 victory. Martins and Deco in the first half and Nani in the second period were Portugal’s top performers against committed but fragile opposition.

Playing in a 4-3-3 formation, Queiroz gave Lecce left-back Antunes a starting berth as he seeks to find a solution to the problem left-back position. The former Pacos de Ferreira defender put in a solid performance.

At the other end of the pitch Hugo Almeida was chosen as the lone striker, but the big Werder Bremen striker looked rusty and failed to capitalise on a plethora of opportunities created by wingers Simao and Nani.

Such was the home team’s dominance from the kick off that the only surprise was that the fans in the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro stadium had to wait until midway through the first half to see the deadlock broken.

Promising partnership

Carlos Martins, who formed an effective midfield partnership with Deco, received a corner kick on the edge of the box and hammered a right-foot volley towards goal. The shot was blocked but Martins immediately latched onto the rebound and rifled a left-foot effort into the net with the aid of a deflection.

Only a host of fine saves from Mikkelsen prevented Portugal from extending their lead before the break. The second half continued in much the same vein, with Queiroz’s men eventually wearing down the Faeroe Island with wave after wave of attacks.

Nani was at the heart of most of Portugal’s most penetrative moves in the second 45 minutes, ably supported by substitute Miguel down a productive right flank. It was the Valencia defender who provided a pinpoint cross for captain Simao to thunder a header into the net shortly after the interval.

The vociferous supporters had to wait until the last five minutes for more goals as a Duda header and two rasping shots from Bruno Alves and Nani gave the scoreline a more realistic look.


Carlos Queiroz:
“The most important thing was for me to get to know the players better and for them to get to know me. Many of us were meeting for the first time.

“We played well because we solved the problems we had in front of us. It was a good training exercise against a team that put all their men behind the ball and it was important to see how Portugal would solve the problem. We are satisfied with the goals and enthusiasm shown.”

Portugal:
Quim, Bosingwa, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Antunes, Raul Meireles, Deco, Carlos Martins, Nani, Hugo Almeida, Simao Sabrosa
Substitutes used: Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Miguel, Manuel Fernandes, Duda, Danny
Yellow Card: Manuel Fernandes

Faeroe Islands:
Mikkelsen, C. Jacobsen, Tor Naes, Egil Bo, Danielsen, B. Olsen, Davidsen, Thomassen, Niclasen, R. Jacobsen, Samuelsen
Substitutes used: Torgaro, Madsen, Borg, L Olsen
Yellow Cards: Lokin, Egil Bo

Goals:
[1-0] Carlos Martins, 23
[2-0] Simão Sabrosa, 48
[3-0] Duda, 86
[4-0] Bruno Alves, 89
[5-0] Nani, 91