Liedson not flagging as Barça come calling

Having marked his first appearance in this season's competition with the only goal in the 1-0 Matchday 3 victory against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, Liedson joined the celebrations as Sporting prevailed by the same margin in the return fixture to confirm a top-two finish in Group C. "It's a great feeling and we have to congratulate the whole group," said Liedson, who turns 31 in December. "It's very important for Sporting as it's the first time we have got past the group stage."

Barça next
Having sustained a left knee injury almost exactly five months earlier, Liedson played his first game of the season on 27 September, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 loss to local rivals SL Benfica, and is still feeling fresh ahead of his side's Matchday 5 meeting with FC Barcelona, a tie which will most likely decide who finishes top of the section. "One of our goals has been achieved and now we have to carry on in the same spirit," said Liedson, a losing 2004/05 UEFA Cup finalist with Sporting. "Of course we want to win but we know Barcelona are a very good team. We respect them a lot. It will be hard but we are well prepared for what we will be up against."

Naturalisation option
Since arriving at the Estádio José Alvalade in 2003, he has scored 18 goals for Sporting in UEFA club competition, making him their joint top European scorer alongside João Lourenço and Manuel Fernandes. With 82 goals in 151 league games, he is a hero for the club, with many suggesting he may yet follow in Pepe and Deco's footsteps and play for Portugal. Liedson has already looked into the possibility of becoming a Portuguese citizen. "The matter is under way and I am going to put the papers in for my naturalization," he said. "I have a right to do that after being in Portugal for five years. I feel Portuguese."

Open door
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has left the door open. "I don't have any kind of issues regarding players who want to play for the national team," he said. "It's not just about names. The main thing is to find out which players really identify with Portuguese football and are interested in playing for Portugal." Given his achievements for Sporting, Liedson may fit that bill.