20 February 2006, by Sean Gillen

Portuguese Abroad round-up

Portugal right-backs earn weekend plaudits

With the World Cup getting ever nearer, Luiz Filipe Scolari will be delighted with the form of his right-backs Paulo Ferreira and Miguel. Ferreira scored his first goal in a Chelsea shirt, while the former Benfica man put in a hugely impressive performance for high-flying Valencia.

It was FA Cup weekend in England and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea survived an early Ricardo Carvalho own goal to book their place in the next round after beating Colchester 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Maniche also started the game for the Premiership Champions, as did Paulo Ferreira, who scored Chelsea’s equaliser before a Joe Cole double.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left disappointed as his Manchester United side were knocked out of the competition by a Peter Crouch goal at Anfield against their arch rivals Liverpool. Nineteen-year-old Ricardo Vaz Te came on as a 70th minute substitute for Bolton but was unable to produce anything as West Ham earned a replay after a 0-0 draw at the Reebok.

Spanish joy

It was a good weekend for the Portuguese contingent in Spain as Deco’s Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-1 at the Nou Camp and Miguel was outstanding for Valencia as they kept up in the title race with a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Star Performer

Miguel

Miguel - The former Benfica man has made the right-back berth his own at Valencia. Another impressive display and another win for Valencia has kept hopes of catching Barcelona very much alive.

Jorge Andrade played the full 90 minutes at the heart of the Deportivo defence at they came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Zaragoza. Depor finished the game with 10 men after the dismissal of Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini.

There were mixed fortunes for the Italian based Portuguese legends as Luis Figo was rested on the bench but did come on for Inter in the 63rd minute as they disappointingly drew 0-0 away at Livorno. Rui Costa was called on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Milan, who beat Cagliari 1-0 at the San Siro to move into second.

Fernando Couto had a more successful afternoon, starting and keeping a clean sheet as Parma recorded a valuable 1-0 win at Treviso thanks to a Fabio Simplicio goal.

Jorge Costa was the only one of Standard Liege’s Portuguese players in the starting line-up as his new club thrashed Cercle Brugge 7-1. Standard are 3rd in the Jupiter League, one point off joint-first placed Anderlecht and Club Brugge.

Tiago rested

In France, midfielder Tiago was also rested with the Champions League tie against PSV in mind, only playing the final 15 minutes of Lyon’s 3-1 home victory over Nantes. Defender Beto did not feature for Bordeaux as Chamakh and Denilson gave them a 2-0 win at Ajacio.

Pedro Pauleta played the full 90 minutes for Paris Saint-Germain as 6th place Le Mans earned a 1-0 win at the Parc Des Princes thanks to a 5th-minute goal from Cedric Faure.