Queiroz calls on Portugal to restore lost pride

Carlos Queiroz has called on his side to "restore Portugal's image" by putting a 6-2 loss to Brazil in November behind them with victory against Finland in Faro on Wednesday.

'Players feel hurt'
"We will strive to correct what we did in Brazil in a match that did not go well for us," the 55-year-old said. "The players feel hurt, but we are building a team to reach the World Cup, no doubt about that. We have 16 or 17 players that form the basis of our squad and they are here, but we have to take advantage of matches like this to give experience to other players and to integrate them in the team."

New faces
Queiroz is looking to the future and is expected to give senior debuts to AC Siena defender Gonçalo Brandão, Málaga CF defender Eliseu and SC Braga striker Orlando Sá with uncapped Braga goalkeeper Eduardo and FC Porto central defender Rolando also included in the squad. The inclusion of the new faces brings fresh enthusiasm, with Brandão determined to "enjoy the opportunity", admitting that he felt "honoured and proud of this special moment".

Poor run
Portugal are third in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 with five points after four matches, two points adrift of joint leaders Denmark and Hungary. The 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists must quickly find their form and arrest their slide if they are to reach the finals in South Africa, having gone three games without a win in the section. Portugal lost 3-2 at home to Denmark on 10 September before suffering goalless draws against Sweden and Albania. Then came the shocking, confidence-sapping loss to Brazil.

Turning point
Looking for positives, Juventus midfielder Tiago said he hoped that defeat marked a turning point for the national side. "After the match in Brazil there were things that had to be changed," the 27-year-old said. "Now we have an excellent opportunity to show that things really are different." Portugal's qualification campaign resumes on 28 March when they host Sweden in Porto.