Portugal answer Martins' prayers
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Article summary
Carlos Martins has received his first international call-up in the 22-man squad for Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Finland on 6 September.
Article body
Carlos Martins has received his first international call-up in the 22-man squad for Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Finland on 6 September as well as the friendly against Denmark five days earlier.
Young recruits
While the 24-year-old Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder is new to the national-team fold, SL Benfica central defender Ricardo Rocha returns along with former Under-21 stars João Moutinho, Ricardo Quaresma and Hugo Almeida. Otherwise, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has selected the players who travelled to the FIFA World Cup, minus the retired Luís Figo and Pedro Pauleta, and the injured Maniche, Miguel and Hugo Viana.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Quim (SL Benfica), Ricardo (Sporting Clube de Portugal).
Defenders: Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea FC), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC), Ricardo Costa (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Ricardo Rocha (SL Benfica), Marco Caneira (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Nuno Valente (Everton FC).
Midfielders: Petit (SL Benfica), Carlos Martins (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Costinha (Club Atlético de Madrid), João Moutinho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Tiago (Olympique Lyonnais), Deco (FC Barcelona).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC), Hélder Postiga (FC Porto), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Luís Boa Morte (Fulham FC), Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Simão (SL Benfica).
