Ricardo close to Portugal recall

Six new names on Carlos Querioz’s ‘pre-selection’ list for Sweden

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has taken the unusual step of announcing a 38-man ‘selectable’ list of players, from which he will choose the squad for the national team’s upcoming matches. Goalkeeper Ricardo, the undisputed Portugal no. 1 during the Scolari era, makes the list.

Portugal play a crucial World Cup Qualifying match against Sweden at the Estadio do Dragao on 28 March, and three days later take on World Cup hosts South Africa in a friendly in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Surprise inclusions on the list for the double header are the likes of Andre Marques (Setubal), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), Beto (Leixoes), Silvestre Varela (Estrela da Amadora), Jose Goncalves (Nuremberg), Hilario (Chelsea) and Edinho (AEK Athens), all of whom have never played for the Portugal senior team. However, these players are likely to be considered only for the friendly match.

Sporting defender Andre Marques, currently on loan to Setubal, was delighted with the possibility of a call-up. “I’m happy about this news. I’ve worked hard and I’ll continue to do so to earn a call-up. It’s a dream of any footballer, especially for someone like me who is just 21 years old.”

Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho returns after injury and it is the London team who supply the most players on the list, with Hilario, Bosingwa, Deco and Quaresma joining the central defender.

List of selectable players:

Goalkeepers: Hilario (Chelsea), Beto (Leixoes), Ricardo (Betis), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting), Daniel Fernandes (Bochum)

Defenders: Goncalo Brandao (Siena), Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Jose Goncalves (Nuremberg), Bruno Alves & Rolando (FC Porto), Nelson (Betis), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia), Andre Marques (Setubal)

Midfielders: Simao Sabrosa & Maniche (At. Madrid), Deco & Quaresma (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Danny (Zenit), Fernando Meira (Galatasaray), Tiago (Juventus), Eliseu & Duda (Malaga), Nani & Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd), Pedro Mendes (Rangers), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Manuel Fernandes (Valencia)

Forwards: Edinho (AEK), Silvestre Varela (E. Amadora), Orlando Sa (Braga), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)

by Tom Kundert