Deco called up by Portugal
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Article summary
FC Porto playmaker Deco has been included in the Portugal squad to meet Brazil and F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Article body
Scolari call
Deco, who recently became a Portuguese citizen, could now win his first cap in the friendly match between the UEFA EURO 2004™ hosts and the FIFA World Cup winners at Porto's Das Antas stadium on 29 March. The 25-year-old was included in a 22-man squad by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Possible debut
Also called up are the Porto midfield player Maniche, another potential debutant, and left-back Mário Silva, while SL Benfica forward Nuno Gomes returns after missing Scolari's first game in charge - the 1-0 friendly defeat in Italy last month.
Macedonia match
With Portugal due to play a second friendly international against Macedonia in Geneva on 2 April, Scolari will also have the chance to consider the claims of UD Leiria midfield player Silas. However, the coach has released the Porto pair of Tiago and Helder Póstiga to play for the Under-21 side in their UEFA European Championship qualifier against England on 28 March.
Notable omissions
Other notable omissions are Porto goalkeeper Vítor Baía, João Pinto of Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Boavista midfield player Petit, while Fulham FC winger Luís Boa Morte and FC Girondins de Bordeaux defender Marco Caneira have also been left out.
Portugal squad
Ricardo, Quim, Paulo Ferreira, Mário Silva, Fernando Couto, Jorge Andrade, Miguel, Ricardo Rocha, Fernando Meira, Rui Jorge, Costinha, Maniche, Luís Loureiro, Sérgio Conceição, Figo, Deco, Rui Costa, Simão, Silas, Pedro Mendes, Pauleta, Nuno Gomes.
