[國家] Portugal's Scolari worried about Euro squad's fitness
Portugal's Scolari worried about Euro squad's fitness
HELSINKI, Sept 5 (Reuters)
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Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said on Tuesday that his main worry was
the fitness of his players ahead of their opening Euro 2008 qualifying match.
The World Cup semi-finalists, who are clear favourites to win Group A, start
their campaign on Wednesday away to Finland, who shocked Poland 3-1 in their
first qualifier on Saturday.
"Our main problem is fitness," Scolari told a news conference as he voiced
concerns about the condition of his players following the close season.
Portugal are starting life without captain Luis Figo and striker Pauleto who
retired from the international game after the World Cup finals in Germany.
"We are going to start a new area, with new players," said 32-year-old
defensive midfielder Costinha.
While most European leagues have just returned to action, the Finnish domestic
season ends in the autumn.
However, Finland are likely to field a team who play abroad so they will be
in a similar position to Portugal.
The Finns, with experienced campaigners like attacking midfielder Jari
Litmanen and central defender Sami Hyypia, are hoping to qualify for their
first finals in 2008.
"Finland also has a strong squad," said Costinha. "It will be a pretty
difficult game."
Portugal playmaker Deco said he was now 100 percent fit, having missed the
4-2 friendly defeat in Denmark on Saturday.
The Group A qualifier will be played at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium where
Finland have not won a game since 2003.
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