Preview: New faces will have to give it their all on Wednesday night
Portugal will welcome two new faces to the squad on Wednesday, with both looking to make a positive first impression. Sporting de Braga’s Rafa and Benfica’s Ivan Cavaleiro were called up for the first time, and they will want to give Paulo Bento a selection headache when it comes to making his final picks for the upcoming World Cup.
Rafa has performed well at the club level this season, despite having only scored three goals in 19 appearances. As for Ivan Cavaleiro, he enjoyed great success with Benfica B, but since breaking into the Lisbon side’s first team, his playing time has been inconsistent.
That can obviously be down to the number of options the club has at their disposal, but the Portuguese manager is confident that they have both been called up at the right time.
“We have tracked their progress at their clubs and in the Portugal youth levels and we decided this was the right time to call them up,” Paul Bento told reporters. “Rafa can play on the flanks and also a number 10, which gives us several solutions. Ivan has play a lot for Benfica B. The fact that he can play on either flank or as a center-forward gives the squad more solutions.”
Some notable absences in the Portuguese squad are starting goalkeeper Rui Patricio, as well as Nani, Bruno Alves, Helder Postiga and even Hugo Almeida.
Inter Milan’s Rolando will return to the National Team, along with Miguel Lopes. Striker Edinho has also been called into the squad, while Lyon’s goalkeeper Anthony Lopes will likely get a chance to showcase his abilities.
Cameroon manager Volker Finke has also included some new faces in his squad, ahead of Wednesday’s friendly.
Kaiserslauten’s forward Mohammadou Idrissou has been recalled, after missing out in their second leg match with Tunisia. His return could be because of Webo’s absence, and Stephane Mbia being unavailable.
Barcelona B center-back Frank Bagnack has also been handed his first call-up for the National Team.
“I always try to mix young and old,” Finke told camfoot.com. “I think it is also good for the future, because you need the experience.”
Where to watch this match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Portugal vs Cameroon live on Wednesday, March 5, 2014:
In Canada at 15:45 ET on: RTPi
In the USA at 15:45 ET on: RTPi, Watch ESPN, ESPN3
Viewers in Africa can follow the action on beIN Sports Arabia 7 HD. For full TV listings, be sure to visit the Portugal vs Cameroon match page.
