Group H preview: Bento starts with Danish test
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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Portugal, with one point from two games, hope for a winning start under Paulo Bento at home to Denmark while ambitious Cyprus welcome early group leaders Norway.
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All eyes in UEFA EURO 2012 Group H on Friday will be on Porto where Paulo Bento coaches Portugal for the first time at home to Denmark. There is also plenty at stake in Larnaca as early leaders Norway visit a Cyprus side who believe a first qualification could be within reach.
Portugal v Denmark, Porto
Paulo Bento has taken over a team with one point from two matches – and that a 4-4 home draw with Cyprus – while Denmark won their only game so far, against Iceland. The Portugal coach has had to amend his initial squad, with injuries to Miguel Veloso and Liedson prompting calls to uncapped midfielder Rúben Micael and Manuel Fernandes. Denmark have also been forced into changes, with Daniel Agger and Morten Skoubo injured and Thomas Kahlenberg out for personal reasons. A raft of players have been brought in: uncapped goalkeeper Jonas Lössl and forward Nicolai Jørgensen, striker Peter Løvenkrands, defender Mathias Jørgensen, and midfielders Kasper Lorentzen and Daniel Jensen.
Cyprus v Norway, Larnaca
Both these sides caught the eye against Portugal last month. Cyprus held their hosts in Guimaraes, before Norway beat them 1-0 in Oslo to follow up a victory in Iceland. Ahead of their first home qualifier, Cyprus coach Angelos Anastasiadis is in bullish mood. "Aiming to qualify is not something decided on a whim," said the coach. who turned 56 last Sunday. "This is a target we set a few years ago and I believe the team is ready now. I said before the draw that our aim is to qualify for EURO 2012." Midfielder Chrysostomos Michail is doubtful with an ankle problem while the main worry for Norway coach Egil Olsen is John Carew's knee. "I am confident I will be 100%," said Carew, whose place could be taken by in-form Hannover 96 striker Mohammed Abdellaoue. "It is up to the coach if I play," Carew added. "I don't know this Cyprus team well, but I do know they are hard to beat on home soil. We have to be fully prepared."
A preview of the next set of fixtures in Group H on Tuesday – Denmark v Cyprus, and Iceland v Portugal – will be published at the weekend.
