Caçador welcomes new dawn

Rui Caçador takes charge of his first match as coach of Portugal's Under-21s next week looking to lift his side after a disappointing summer at the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

New faces
Portugal went into the tournament as one of the favourites but finished a disappointing third in their section. They then missed out on a place at the Beijing Olympics when they lost a play-off to Italy on penalties. Caçador replaces José Couceiro and he has ushered in a new era with a host of new call-ups for the friendly against Malta in Vila do Conde next Tuesday.

Nani included
Amaury Bischoff, Bruno Pereirinha, Gonçalo Brandão, Rui Patrício, Vasco Fernandes, Vítor Gomes come into the squad for the first time as well as Daniel Carriço and Stélvio Cruz who are promoted from the U19s after competing at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship this summer. Stalwarts João Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, Miguel Veloso and Hugo Almeida all move on but Manchester United FC prodigy Nani remains with the U21s, as does Bolton Wanderers FC striker Ricardo Vaz Té and PSV Eindhoven defender Manuel da Costa.

'New cycle'
"This is the beginning of a new cycle," said Caçador who worked as Couceiro's assistant in the Netherlands in June. "Of course we all dream of winning the European title. This is an élite team and we have to win and provide players for the main squad, but we must focus on things such as fair play and improving the quality of the youth ranks. I will maintain two important things: playing attractive and offensive football. It's the only way to build champions.

'Character'
"All of the players will have the same status and I will be aware of any disciplinary incidents. A great team is made of quality players, but also with discipline, rules and character." Portugal kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden away to the Republic of Ireland on 7 September. England, Montenegro and Bulgaria are their other opponents in Group 5.

Portugal Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Batista (Fulham FC), Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal).

Defenders: Manuel da Costa (PSV Eindhoven), Antunes (FC Paços de Ferreira), Nuno André Coelho (Portimonense SC), Daniel Carriço (SC Olhanense), Vasco Fernandes (SC Olhanense), Gonçalo Brandão (CF Os Belenenses).

Midfielders: Hélder Barbosa (A Académica de Coimbra), Nani (Manchester United FC), João Coimbra (CD Nacional), Paulo Machado (Leixões SC), Vieirinha (Leixões SC), Bruno Pereirinha (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Stélvio Cruz (SC Braga), Amaury Bischoff (Werder Bremen), Vítor Gomes (Rio Ave FC).

Forwards: Vaz Té (Bolton Wanderers FC), João Moreira (CD Nacional), Yannick (Sporting Clube de Portugal).