Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China News

ANY doubts about where Cristiano Ronaldo's focus would be at the start of Euro 2008 were dispelled in Portugal's 2-0 win over Turkey in their Group A opener in Geneva.

Ronaldo did not score but came close at least twice and played a major role in Portugal's fine attacking performance on Saturday that underlined its status among the tournament favorites.

"Playing like that we can win the European (Championship). We scored twice, had two balls on the posts and one on the bar," Ronaldo told reporters.

Ronaldo had two chances in the first half ?? a close-range effort that was blocked and a free kick which Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel just managed to turn onto the post. In the second half his low shot from the left was well saved.

Widely tipped to be the player of the tournament, Ronaldo came to Switzerland in the middle of a tug of war between his club Manchester United and Real Madrid for his future services and doubts about his concentration on the job in hand.

In Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari he has, however, a no-nonsense manager who becomes the team's No. 12 player so influential is he from the touchline.

"I asked Nuno Gomes to give Ronaldo the captain's armband so he'd feel more motivated and that's exactly what happened," Scolari told reporters of the central striker's replacement by Nani in the 69th minute.

Portugal could have been forgiven at that stage for flagging after an hour's effort to break down the resilient Turkish team and finally take the lead through central defender Pepe.

Instead, Ronaldo, moving further forward, played a captain's game for the final 20 minutes by leading from the front in Gomes's position.

"The idea was to give him a boost, increase his will so he could overcome his tiredness, make another dribble, make another pass, (maybe) make another goal," said Scolari.

The Brazilian needed to keep the Turks busy as much as possible in their own half towards the end and avoid letting his team fall back too deep as the riva pressed for an equalizer.

"I've been captain many times. (At a major tournament) the responsibility is the same. It's always nice to play with the armband," Ronaldo said.

Raul Meireles added the second goal in injury time after Ronaldo began a late break, then passed to Joao Moutinho, who got the ball back to Meireles for the goal.

Meanwhile, Hamit Altintop said that the Turks must put their loss behind them and their Euro 2008 really begins on Wednesday when they play co-host Switzerland in Basel.

Fatih Terim's side kept Portugal at bay until the 61st minute but created few clear chances with Nihat Kahveci often looking isolated up front.

"Portugal were the clear favorites so our tournament really starts on Wednesday," midfielder Hamit said.