Pro Eleven Headline News

Portugal want Swede revenge

The moment of truth has come for Portugal as they face Sweden in a qualifying match for the South Africa 2010 World Cup this Saturday. Anything other than victory will make the nation’s possibility of participating in the final stages of the FIFA World Cup harder to achieve, if not altogether impossible.

With only four points after five qualifying games, Portugal has some ground to gain if progression into the following stages is part of their plans.

With a track record of one victory, two draws and one loss, Portugal faces Sweden again, at home this time around, and must take the essential three points.

Carlos Queiroz has not been able to find Portugal’s form so far, with the team losing against Denmark, drawn against Albania and Sweden and only beating Malta. Criticism has come from all directions and this weekend the former Manchester United Assistant Coach must prove why he was chosen as Portugal’s manager. He said all players are extremely motivated for the game, and believes it will end with a positive outcome. Star midfielder Deco was a concern for the national squad as he picked up an injury in his last game for Chelsea, and, at time of going to press, it was still unknown if he would be playing.

Much to Portugal’s delight, Sweden’s striker Ibrahimovic will not be playing as he was suspended after being given a yellow card in his last game against Portugal, but they still have to cope with the experienced Larsson.

The game will take place at the Dragão Stadium, in Oporto, at 20h45 on Saturday night.

Denmark are first in the Group with 7 points (three matches played), Hungary second with seven points (four matches), Albania third with 6 points (five matches), followed by Portugal and Sweden, both with 5 points (four matches and three matches respectively) and finally Malta, who have lost four and drawn one. the-news.net


England has a surprise in store for Beckham, Terry says

If David Beckham gets on the field on Saturday against Slovakia at Wembley, defender John Terry, the player who replaced Beckham as England's national team captain, said the squad has a surprise in store for the Galaxy and AC Milan midfielder.

By appearing in the match, even if only as a substitute, Beckham would be making his 109th appearance for England, breaking the record for a field player he currently shares with Bobby Moore.

Terry said he would consider giving the captain's armband to Beckham if he plays, adding that it would be "a fantastic achievement" for Beckham to surpass Moore. Beckham would then be only 16 games shy of the all-time record of 125 England appearances set by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Beckham is unlikely to start, England Coach Fabio Capello having preferred to use him off the bench in recent matches, but if he did, it would be his 100th start for the national team. It is more likely, though, that Aaron Lennon would start and Beckham would enter in the second half.

England is using the friendly to prepare for next Wednesday's potentially troublesome World Cup qualifying game against Ukraine, also at Wembley. Los Angeles Times