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Portugal Team Page

Squad

Coach: Jose Couceiro

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Igor Arajuo, Ricardo Janota, Rui Patricio,

Defenders: Antunes, Pedro Correia, Mano, Andre Marques, Joao Pedro, Paul Renato, Steven Vitoria,

Midfielders: Zezinando, Nuno Coehlo, Vitor Gomes, Mano, Pele, Bruno Pereirinha

Forwards: Fabio Coentrao, Bruno Gama, Guedes, Diogo Tavares, Zequinha

Scouting Report

Strengths: After an eight-year absence, Portugal is anxious to prove that it belongs at this tournament and can challenge for the crown. Coach Jose Couceiro has a wealth of talented stars that he can call upon, including midfielder Bruno Gama, forward Helder Barbosa and defender Joao Pedro. Portugal has quality and depth at every position, especially in attack where it can rely on goals from its midfielders, as well as its forwards.

Weaknesses: Portugal is coming off a lacklustre showing at last year's UEFA U-19 Championship where it settled for three draws (against Scotland, Poland and Turkey) in the last round. Portugal also has a bad habit of making life more difficult for itself by being unable to hold on to a lead. Couceiro hasn't exhibited a great deal of confidence in his charges, downplaying Portugal's chances and warning Portuguese fans should have modest expectations.

Player to watch: Midfielder Bruno Gama provides speed and a scoring touch to a very dangerous Portugal side. With blinding pace and formidable technique, Gama can either play in the centre of midfield as a classic playmaker, or on the right wing where he fires precise crosses into the middle for his teammates. Captain of Portugal's under-20 team, Gama currently plays for Sporting de Braga in the Portuguese league.

Prognosis: As a perennial European powerhouse and brimming with young stars in the making, Portugal has to be considered one of the top favourites. Portugal has historically fielded one of the top youth teams in world soccer, and after sitting on the sidelines for the last three tournaments, the Portuguese are anxious to prove that reputation isn't fading. Portugal has the talent and depth to make a lengthy run in this year's competition, so expect them to finish first in their group ahead of Mexico. From there, anything less than a quarter-final appearance would be a major disappointment. Portugal could easily win it all, but they'll have to take each opponent seriously and play for 90 minutes, something they have had trouble doing the past few years.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Portugal booked its flight to Canada by finishing third in group play at the 2006 UEFA European U-19 Football Championship. However, they did not advance to the tournament’s semifinal round.

Qualifying record: 9 games played, 4 wins, 2 losses, 3 draws

Goals for: 20. Goals against: 12

Top goal-scorer in qualifying (all rounds): Bruno Gama (5)

Qualifying results:

UEFA European U-19 Football Championship 2006 qualifying round (group 4)

Sept. 27, 2005 – Portugal 5, Azerbaijan 1 in Beggen, Luxembourg

Sept. 29, 2005 – Luxembourg 0, Portugal 3 in Hesperange, Luxembourg

Oct. 2, 2005 – Portugal 0, Russia 1 in Hesperange, Luxembourg

UEFA European U-19 Football Championship 2006 elite qualifying round (group 5)

May 16, 2006 – Israel 1, Portugal 0 in Velika Gorica, Croatia

May 18, 2006 – Croatia 1, Portugal 2 in Velika Gorica, Croatia

May 20, 2006 – Macedonia 1, Portugal 3 in Samobor, Croatia

Group finals (group B) – all games in Poland

July 18, 2006 – Scotland 2, Portugal 2

July 20, 2006 – Portugal 4, Turkey 4

July 23, 2006 – Portugal 1, Spain 1

U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)

July 2 vs. New Zealand in Toronto (BMO Field) at 14:15

July 5 vs. Mexico in Toronto (BMO Field) at 19:45

July 8 vs. Gambia in Montreal (Olympic Stadium) at 17:15

U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY

Portugal won back-to-back world titles in 1989 and 1991. Portugal has also won three European U-16 titles, two U-18 crowns and one U-17 championship. Eight years have passed since Portugal’s last U-20 World Cup appearance.

Number of previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 6

All-time record: 29 games played, 18 wins, 2 draws, 9 losses

Goals for: 35 Goals against: 22

Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. Argentina in 1991

Biggest defeat: 0-3 vs. Saudi Arabia in 1989

Hosted the U-20 World Cup: 1991

1977 – Did not qualify

1979 – Quarter-finals

1981 to 1987 – Did not qualify

1989 – Champions

1991 – Champions

1993 – First round