World Cup Draw Reaction : Portugal

Carlos Queiroz the Portuguese coach was unperturbed by his team ending up in what has been tagged the Group of Death reacting after the Draw held in Cape Town, Queiroz said


"I’m pleased. It’s a fantastic group for world football. And we’ve got North Korea too, a team that triggers good memories of the 1966 World Cup (when Portugal came back from three goals down to beat Korea DPR 5-3 in the quarter-finals). All we’re missing now are Hungary, Pele and Eusebio!"

"Deep down, I hope that we’re already qualified by the time we face Brazil in our third match, but counting on that would be to show a lack of respect for our other two opponents. When one of the teams in the group is Brazil, who’ve won five world titles, I’ve no hesitation in saying that they’re the favourites. Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka being together at Real Madrid will be interesting, but it doesn’t stop there. Look at Chelsea, for instance, who’ve got both Portuguese and Ivorian players. I think there’s going to be an intriguing atmosphere at a number of clubs."

He also reacted to earlier comments from Bazilian coach Dunga who had likened the match between Brazil and Portugal as a match between Brazil and Brazil B. Queiroz repsonded "As for the match between 'Brazil A and Brazil B', I think that’s an amusing way of looking at it. But anyway, I’m sure that just as many of the Brazilians have Portuguese grandparents or great-grandparents, so I think that makes us even. The only thing that’s certain is that it’ll be a great contest."