Nélson pride at Portugal call
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Article summary
Portugal have called up SL Benfica full-back Nélson to face Italy in a friendly on 28 February after the Cape Verde native earned his citizenship.
Article body
Portugal have named SL Benfica full-back Nélson in their Under-21 squad to face Italy in a friendly on 28 February after the 22-year-old Cape Verde native earned his citizenship. Also included for the first time at this level are three overseas-based players - PAOK FC goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes, Heart of Midlothian FC defender José Gonçalves and Bolton Wanderers FC forward Ricardo Vaz Té.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Fernandes (PAOK FC), Bruno Vale (CF Estrela da Amadora).
Defenders: José Fonte (FC Paços de Ferreira), Nélson (SL Benfica), Miguel Ângelo (FC Barreirense), Nuno Morais (SC Marítimo), José Gonçalves (Heart of Midlothian FC), Semedo (CD Feirense).
Midfielders: Diogo Valente (Boavista FC), Custódio (Sporting Clube de Portugal), João Moutinho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Nani (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Hugo Viana (Valencia CF), Ivanildo (FC Porto), Raúl Meireles (FC Porto), Filipe Oliveira (SC Marítimo).
Forwards: Hugo Almeida (FC Porto), Varela (Vitória FC), Ricardo Vaz Té (Bolton Wanderers FC).