Ruben Micael enjoyed a dream debut for Portugal, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Finland.
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.
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.
