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Portugal

2 - 0

Date/Time: Mar 29, 2011
3:30pm (US/Eastern)
Competition: Friendly
Live/Repeat: Live
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Finland



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Portugal vs Finland Delayed and Repeat Broadcasts

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(US/Eastern)
Channel
Dominican RepublicWed, Mar 30 6:00amESPN DOS
 Wed, Mar 30 14:00pmESPN DOS
EcuadorWed, Mar 30 9:00amESPN Cono Norte
GuatemalaWed, Mar 30 6:00amESPN DOS
 Wed, Mar 30 14:00pmESPN DOS
MexicoWed, Mar 30 6:00amESPN DOS
 Wed, Mar 30 14:00pmESPN DOS
PanamaWed, Mar 30 6:00amESPN DOS
 Wed, Mar 30 14:00pmESPN DOS
VenezuelaWed, Mar 30 9:00amESPN Venezuela
*Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it.

Portugal vs Finland Match Preview

Tom Kundert, Mar 28th 2011
Portugal play their fourth successive friendly since they were last in competitive action with a home fixture against Finland on Tuesday night.
Ricardo Quaresma will be striving to take his impressive club form onto the international arena in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo
Ricardo Quaresma will be striving to take his impressive club form onto the international arena in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo
Seleccao coach Paulo Bento had to hear criticism for the first time since he took over after being held to a sluggish 1-1 draw by Chile on Saturday, and the young manager will be hoping to bounce straight back to the stylish and effective football that characterized his first matches in charge.

“The main aim is to win,” said Bento, aware that after a defeat (to Argentina) and a draw in Portugal’s last two games, it is important to get back into the winning habit. “We have to approach this game as if it was a friendly against Spain or Argentina. One of the goals of this match is to cement the team, but I will make a few changes.”

Portugal will again be without captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Silvestre Varela stood in for the Real Madrid man against Chile and the performance of the FC Porto forward was one of the positives from a low-key display.

But Varela picked up a knock against the South Americans and is expected to start on the bench, paving the way for the mercurial talent that goes by the name of Ricardo Quaresma to get himself into Bento’s plans. Since moving to Besiktas, Quaresma has re-found the form that had many pundits tipping him for world superstardom early in his career.

The Portugal coach admits he will be seeking incisiveness from Nani and Quaresma on the flanks. “I want a dominant performance from the Seleccao. We need to take advantage of the speed of our players on the wings,” said Bento.

The match against the Finns will also be a big opportunity for rising star Silvio to stake a claim for the right-back berth. The Braga defender, reportedly a target for FC Porto, has enjoyed a wonderful season, and will replace Joao Pereira who dislocated his right elbow against Chile.

One of the reasons Portugal scheduled this friendly is the perceived similarity of Finland to the Seleccao’s next opponents in Euro 2012 qualifying – Norway. Portugal play the Group H leaders on 4 June in Benfica’s Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, where a victory will propel them to the top of the section.

Portugal vs Finland Match Report

Tom Kundert, Mar 29th 2011
Ruben Micael enjoyed a dream debut for Portugal, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Finland.
FC Porto’s Ruben Micael celebrates scoring the first of his two goals on his Portugal debut
FC Porto’s Ruben Micael celebrates scoring the first of his two goals on his Portugal debut
Although not firing on all cylinders, the Seleccao were far too strong for a weak Finland team in Aveiro tonight. Paulo Bento used the last of four successive friendly matches to give some fringe player an opportunity in the red and green shirt.

Right-back Nelson, midfielder Ruben Micael and forwards Danny and Ricardo Quaresma, were all given starts, with the first two doing enough to suggest they are viable back-ups. Although debutant Micael will grab the headlines with his goalscoring exploits, it was Nelson who impressed the most, putting in a near faultless display, full of energetic attacking and defending.

The hosts went onto the attack from the off, with Hugo Almeida slow to react when presented with two early opportunities. On 10 minutes the deadlock was broken as Danny threaded a beautiful throughball to Almeida, who ran into the box before cutting the ball back for Quaresma. Implementing one of his trademark strikes with the outside of his right foot, the Besiktas winger appeared to shoot for goal, but his effort turned into a perfect assist for the sliding Micael to prod into the net.

Portugal were dominating the midfield, with Carlos Martins and Danny spreading incisive passes through the middle and out wide, where Quaresma was seeing plenty of the ball. Finland somehow survived in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Fredrikson could not hold Martins’ fierce free-kick, and from the resulting scramble Danny hooked over the bar from just three yards out.

Out of the blue Finland almost grabbed an equalizer when a ball over the top caught the defense napping and Vayrynen’s volley beat Eduardo but went just over the bar. It was only a temporary interruption to the one-way traffic, however, and Carlos Martins, Danny and Quaresma all missed very presentable chances to double Portugal’s lead before the break.

The second half was more of the same. Almeida failed to convert an inviting cross for club colleague Quaresma, before Fabio Coentrao brought a fine save out of the Finnish goalkeeper with a fierce angled drive. Nelson then combined well with Machado and his well-struck shot was again well kept out by Fredrikson.

The usual plethora of substitutions (six for each side) did little to alter the pattern of the game and it was no surprise when Portugal finally got a second goal. Nani broke down the right flank, looked up and placed a perfect pass onto the foot of Micael who tapped in from practically under the bar.

A satisfactory night for the Seleccao, but Paulo Bento knows it will be a far tougher task when his team take on Norway on 4 June in their next Euro 2012 qualification match.

Portugal vs Finland Videos

Highlights
1-0 Rúben Micael 11'
2-0 Ruben Micael 71'

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