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Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:26

U-23 performance makes watching Queiroz think twice

Portugal 7-2 Wales (Under 23 international)

FPFCarlos Queiroz’s U-23 hopefuls made footballs rain into the net today as the Portuguese took on a weak Wales side and produced a 7-2 massacre. This young team of World Cup contenders was playing the “beautiful game” from the start of the match in the holy city of Fatima.
 
As Carlos Queiroz observed from the rafters Rui Patricio, Fabio Coentrao and the remainder tried showing off their talents to convince the Portuguese boss they should be included in the final 23 players bound for South Africa.
 
Although Ruben Micael and Yannick Djalo were not pencilled in due to fitness problems, Fabio Coentrao started the game glowing by assisting in the 1st goal scored by Vitor Gomes in the 14th minute. Just when the game began to take off, a passing error, ironically committed by Fabio Coentrao, gave a goal to the Welshmen. Unfortunately Coentrao picked up an injury before redeeming himself, and was eventually substituted (29’) after giving a mixed performance.
 

Vaz Te shines

The 1st half proceeded with goals by Joao Ribeiro (31’) and the talented Bolton winger Ricardo Vaz Te (33’) whom were both assisted by the brilliant Vieirinha. The Portuguese game was a constant flow of attacking football and Vieirinha was one of the best of the match. While the winger positions in the Seleccao may be the hardest to break into, the PAOK player definitely left an impression for Queiroz to remember.
 
As the second half started, the Portuguese kept pressuring their attack on both wings which resulted in four more goals from Paulo Machado (56’), Bruno Gama (79’), Saleiro (82’), and a 2nd goal for Vaz Te (58’). The Wales team softened the blow of defeat by scoring one goal in each half to keep the Portuguese honest.
 
While the major players in contention to break into the Seleccao were not available, with the exception of Rui Patricio and a limited Fabio Coentrao, the team played with great pace and intensity.
 

Potential stars of the future

After the match, a confident Portuguese U-23 manager Antonio Simoes stated that his team “contains 4 or 5 players that in a short time can make it to the full Portugal team.” Although Carlos Queiroz failed to see the whole game (leaving in the 76th minute), he left the stadium of Fatima with plenty to ponder over.
 
FIFA has given the World Cup teams a June 10th deadline to submit their final roster for the tournament and the last stretch of the club season will solve any holes left in the squad before their World Cup opening.
 
by Ricardo Costa


Comments (8)
Fabio Coentrao
8 Sunday, 21 March 2010 08:42
Miguel/Amsterdam
Benfica's Coentrao now makes a bigger chance of beeing in SA due to Varela's injury.

altough I don't believe we will be top I expect our guys to pass the grp stage.
no
7 Thursday, 04 March 2010 16:48
Costa. R
Here is fact for you.
No one that played this match will not go to south Africa this summer.
Good result
6 Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:48
Fresh/Hamilton, Canada
Good to see these boys win, but I'm also disappointed in our U-21's who lost to Sweden at home 2-0 on Tuesday hopefully they can bounce back but good result for U-23's.
Miguel/Melbourne
5 Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:27
Ramsey Colondam/Indonesia
hey Miguel,i got this link 4 u
http://eurorivals.net/highlights/portugal_v_wales_20100303.html
enjoy watching it!!
I hope Vieirinha could get NT call up in euro 2012,and vaz te is talented 4ward,,but why did bolton seldom to give him playing time??
Video
4 Thursday, 04 March 2010 06:31
Miguel/Melbourne
Any link to see goals/highlights?
Dam
3 Thursday, 04 March 2010 02:40
Melo,Toronto
I wish RTP showed this game instead of the Sr game.Elvis has left the Building,Oh sorry Carlos Queiroz has left the building.
Mateus
2 Thursday, 04 March 2010 01:14
Ricardo Costa
Hey Mateus, no he wasn't in the lineup for he is just beginning to come out of his serious knee injury in which kept him out for more than 7months. Too much time off the pitch and inexperience won't allow him to be in SA in the summer. But he is def a great striker... he's a strikers' striker... heads great balls... he would be perfect for the seleccao style of play. Can't wait for EURO 2012 haha!
Take Care
Promising future
1 Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:55
Mateus Medeiros Florida USA
This guy Vieirinha is the real deal! Vaz Te needs more PT at Bolton and he could be a very special player. I'm happy to see these guys are playing well. Can someone tell me if Orlando Sa in the line up? We need a young striker with pace and size. When he is healthy I think he can produce.

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