Queiroz: “No room for mistakes”

Coach wants strong start to WC qualifying campaign

Carlos Queiroz has given his initial press conference ahead of Portugal’s opening World Cup qualifying matches. The new national team coach is looking to guide the nation to a sixth consecutive tournament appearance.

First up it’s Malta away on Saturday, and Queiroz refuses to contemplate anything other than three points. “Nobody will have patience to listen to excuses about what went wrong.”

“We know about Malta. They’ll try and surprise us on the counter-attack and we have to score by thinking and executing more quickly than them.”

Queiroz also spoke about the qualifying group as a whole and has little doubt about who Portugal’s major rivals are for first place – the only position that guarantees a berth at South Africa 2010.


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“Denmark, Sweden and Portugal are those who in theory will be fighting for first place. But we have to be alert because it’s sometimes not easy to distinguish big teams and small teams. We have to be well prepared because the only position that interests us is first place.

“It’s important to start well and finish well, but finishing well is more important. The qualification campaign is a short competition and there is no margin for mistakes and no time to lose.”

After the Malta fixture Portugal welcome Denmark to the Sporting’s Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon the following Wednesday. “There’s just one thing to do, prepare well and win six points in this double header,” added the former Manchester United assistant coach.

To avoid difficulties Portugal will be looking for a minimum of 10 points from their first four matches over the next two months: Malta (away), Denmark (home), Sweden (away) and Albania (home).