Portugal to rest stars against Swis

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-15  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A VERY different Portugal team could take the field in the Euro 2008 quarterfinalist's last group game against Switzerland in Basel today.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose side won Group A before its match against the eliminated co-host, could make several changes to rest a majority of first-choice players with a potential quarterfinal against Germany looming on June 19.

Germany, the team that most impressed Scolari tactically after the first batch of matches, cannot win Group B and avoid Portugal after its shock 1-2 loss to Croatia last Thursday.

Utility player Fernando Meira and goalkeeper Ricardo could shed no light on Scolari's plans at Friday's news conference.

"We all have to be ready to play. The coach can count on me at any time in any position," said Meira, who did not start the wins over Czech Republic and Turkey but is likely to take the holding midfield role to give Armando Petit a break.

Ricardo, likely to be one of four players retained from the first-choice starting line-up, said: "We are fully confident in the coach's decisions."

Meira said Portugal would go all out for victory whoever was picked by Scolari, who could also give starts to wingers Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and midfielder Raul Meireles while Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Deco are rested.

Having failed in its bid to reach the quarterfinals, Switzerland is setting its sights on a first-ever victory at a European Championship.

"Even before we went out I had already thought that it would be a great achievement to get the country's first win at a Euro," said coach Koebi Kuhn.

"Why not on Sunday against a Portugal side which has already qualified?" asked Kuhn, due to retire after today's match to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.