MUNICH, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – Factfile on Portugal who play France in the World Cup semi-finals here on Wednesday:-
PORTUGAL
Honours:
– Previous World Cup appearances: 3 (1966, 1986, 2002)
– World Cup best: 3rd place (1966)
FIFA world ranking: 7
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, Scolari is one of the world’s most respected football coaches and was on the verge of succeeding England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson until an 11th hour change of heart in April.
Has coached Portugal since early 2003 and guided the team to the Euro 2004 final. Renowned for a combative temperament and a readiness to drop big-name players if he feels they are not performing.
That approach has been justified by the country reaching the last four for the first time in 40 years. Scolari rants and raves from the touchline and his hands-on style will be in evidence once more against the French
Key player: Luis Figo
Perhaps the most famous member of Portugal’s fabled golden generation, Figo retired from international football after Euro 2004 only to reverse his decision last year. Famously fell out with Scolari during that tournament when he was substituted in the quarter-final victory over England.
Enjoyed several successful seasons in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Career has enjoyed a resurgence since a move to Inter Milan in 2005.
Has looked more like the Figo of old in Germany and was in the heart of the action in the brutal second round win over the Netherlands and in the gruelling quarter-final tie against England.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo (Sporting Lisbon), Quim (Benfica), Paulo Santos (Sporting Braga)
Defenders: Miguel (Valencia/ESP), Paulo Ferreira(Chelsea/ENG), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea/ENG), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart/GER), Ricardo Costa (FC Porto), Marco Caneira (Sporting Lisbon), Nuno Valente (Everton/ENG)
Midfielders: Costinha (Dynamo Moscow/RUS), Petit (Benfica), Maniche (Chelsea/ENG), Tiago (Lyon/FRA), Deco (Barcelona/ESP), Hugo Viana (Valencia/ESP)
Forwards: Luis Figo (Inter Milan/ITA), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd/ENG), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham/ENG), Simao (Benfica), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Pedro Pauleta (Paris SG/FRA), Helder Postiga (Saint-Etienne/FRA)
World Cup 2006 record
Group D
June 11
At Cologne
Angola 0 Portugal 1 (Pauleta 4)
June 17
At Frankfurt
Portugal 2 (Deco 63, C. Ronaldo 80-pen) Iran 0
June 21
At Gelsenkirchen
Portugal 2 (Maniche 6, Simao 24-pen) Mexico 1 (Fonseca 29)
June 25
Last 16 at Nuremberg
Portugal 1 (Maniche 23) The Netherlands 0
July 1
Quarter-finals at Gelsenkirchen
England 0 Portugal 0 (Portugal won 3-1 on penalities)
France v Portugal head-to heads
Played 21 times
France leads 15 wins to 5 with 1 draw: Goals for -40, goals against -24
