Queiroz gives Danny a Portugal chance
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Article summary
Uncapped FC Dinamo Moskva midfielder Danny has been named in Carlos Queiroz's first squad as Portugal coach, with the 55-year-old seeking "new solutions".
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Goalkeeping change
The 25-year-old Danny has been called up for the home friendly game against the Faroe Islands on 20 August along with SC Braga goalkeeper Eduardo, also 25. There is no place for Real Betis Balompié custodian Ricardo, who was Portugal's first-choice keeper under Queiroz's predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari, while the former Real Madrid CF coach has brought five players back into the selection.
Players recalled
SL Benfica midfielder Carlos Martins, Valencia CF midfielder Manuel Fernandes, VfL Bochum 1848 goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes, US Lecce left-back Antunes and Málaga CF winger Duda have all been handed a chance to impress in the first game since Portugal's exit from UEFA EURO 2008™. Cristiano Ronaldo is not included as the Manchester United FC player is still recovering from surgery to his right foot.
'New challenge'
"This cycle represents a new challenge for the national team – the players and all the technical staff," said Queiroz. "We want to maintain our place in the world élite and for that we have to look for new solutions for the new problems that national teams deal with. I am anxious to start qualification for [FIFA] World Cup 2010, to work with the players and start building a team to achieve our goals." Portugal's Group 1 campaign begins in Malta on 6 September before they host Denmark four days later at Lisbon's Estádio José Alvalade.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Quim (SL Benfica), Daniel Fernandes (VFL Bochum 1848), Eduardo (SC Braga).
Defenders: Bosingwa (Chelsea FC), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea FC), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), Antunes (US Lecce).
Midfielders: Deco (Chelsea FC), Danny (FC Dinamo Moskva), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (Galatasaray AŞ), Carlos Martins (SL Benfica), João Moutinho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Manuel Fernandes (Valencia CF).
Forwards: Simão (Club Atlético de Madrid), Nani (Manchester United FC), Duda (Málaga CF), Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen).