Boavista bank on team spirit

Boavista FC will be hoping to achieve what many other, arguably more illustrious, clubs have failed to do of late as they take on Celtic FC in the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg at Celtic Park on Thursday.

Unbeaten in ten
The Scottish champions are unbeaten in their last ten European home matches and the list of opponents makes daunting reading for the Portuguese side: Juventus FC, Liverpool FC, Valencia CF, RC Celta de Vigo, FC Porto and VfB Stuttgart.

Nothing for granted
However, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who says a European trophy is his main ambition, is taking nothing for granted as the Glasgow club prepare for their first European semi-final since 1974. "Boavista played in the second stage of the [UEFA] Champions League last year," O’Neill said, "and that's no mean feat. I disregard league form. UEFA Cup ties are two-off occasions and it's how you perform on the day. They have certainly got the players to cause us problems."

'Excellent squad'
Boavista, who have never reached a European final, are languishing in eleventh place in the Portuguese Super Liga, 40 points behind leaders and fellow semi-finalists Porto, who play S.S. Lazio. But a poor domestic campaign has not affected confidence. "Whoever gets this far in the UEFA Cup has to be confident," coach Jaime Pacheco said. "The squad is excellent and when things are like that, you can only be positive."

'Spirit, strength and resilience'
They will also not be too despondent should they lose in Scotland as they have been beaten on the four occasions they have played away in the first leg during this cup run, only to reverse the result in their own stadium. "Celtic have all the advantages," Pacheco said. "They have very good players, lots of money and the support of several thousand fans. Even so, our team spirit, strength and resilience will reduce their advantage."

Turra doubtful
Boavista's main injury doubt is Brazilian defender Paulo Turra, who has a broken nose but may play in a protective mask. Venezuelan midfield player Pedro Santos is definitely missing and Bolivian free-kick specialist Erwin Sánchez is doubtful due to knee trouble. There are no such worries about Brazilian strikers Elpidio Silva and Carlos Ventura, however.

Agathe returns
Celtic have French winger Didier Agathe back from hamstring trouble while Belgian defender Joos Valgaeren is also likely to start after a scan showed no lasting damage to a knee problem.