Portugal pressure fails to pay off

Portugal failed to capitalise on a dominant display as they opened their campaign in UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round with a goalless draw against Georgia in Perth.

Missed opportunity
Edgar Borges's side took control from the opening minutes in their first Group 4 fixture at McDiarmid Park and pressed their opponents back throughout but without finding the breakthrough. Georgia had chances of their own, however, and a rapid counterattack might have brought them victory on the break in the closing stages, but ultimately both teams had to be satisfied with a single point. "Nothing is lost; the players are disappointed, but we missed many chances," said Borges, whose side next face Turkey, 2-1 winners against section hosts Scotland today, on Friday. "Now we want to beat the leaders Turkey, and we must correct what went wrong today." Georgia play Scotland the same day.