Couceiro to check out André
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Article summary
R. Standard de Liège defender Nuno André has been called into the Portugal squad for Tuesday's friendly against fellow finalists Serbia in Figueira da Foz.
Article body
With five of his squad having been promoted to the senior fold for a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Kazakhstan, Portugal Under-21 coach José Couceiro has recalled some familiar faces for Tuesday's friendly against Serbia in Figueira da Foz.
Finals draw
Daniel Fernandes, Tonel, Nélson and Raul Meireles are the players to have stepped up to Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad, alongside Sporting Clube de Portugal prodigy João Moutinho. Consequently, Couceiro has brought back four players who missed the U21 qualifying play-off victory against Russia – Nani, Hugo Almeida, José Gonçalves and Vieirinha – along with untried R. Standard de Liège defender Nuno André. Serbia have also qualified for the 2007 UEFA European U21 Championship, meaning the teams could be paired again in the 24 November draw for the final tournament in the Netherlands.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Paulo Ribeiro (FC Porto), Ricardo Baptista (Fulham FC).
Defenders: Amoreirinha (CF Estrela da Amadora), João Pereira (Gil Vicente FC), José Gonçalves (Heart of Midlothian FC), Nuno André (R. Standard de Liège), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Clube de Portugal).
Midfielders: Hélder Barbosa (A. Académica de Coimbra), Ruben Amorim (CF Os Belenenses), Filipe Oliveira (CS Marítimo), Vieirinha (FC Porto), Diogo Valente (FC Porto), Organista (Pontevedra CF), Manuel Fernandes (Portsmouth FC), Paulo Machado (UD Leiria).
Forwards: Ricardo Vaz Té (Bolton Wanderers FC), Nani (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Yannick Djaló (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Ivanildo (UD Leiria).
