Portugal v Albania preview
15 October 2008, by Tom Kundert Queiroz calls for determination, confidence and motivation
Portugal v Albania preview
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has rallied his troops and called for a confident display against Albania tonight. A win in Braga will put Portugal joint top of their World Cup qualifying group.
Queiroz again talked of his lofty ambitions to mould the national team into a side that can at last fully fulfil their potential to lift a trophy, saying “We have to build a great team.”
As for tonight’s encounter, the former Manchester United no. 2 and Real Madrid coach said, “It’s crucial that Portugal, from the first minute, show a lot of determination, confidence and motivation and present positive football like in the previous matches.
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“You win games and titles by defending well. We have to congratulate the way the team united and concentrated against Sweden. Our attackers were fantastic; they dropped back into midfield and rolled up their sleeves and when things calmed down they pushed the team forward.
“Against Albania we have a different problem than against Sweden and hence the solution will be different. We have to impose our biggest assets on the pitch. Portugal will be equal to themselves and dictate play to Albania.”
The coach insisted he is not unduly worried about the points Portugal have dropped so far on their campaign, saying it is all part of the road to qualification.
“The calculator won’t be just for us. Eighty or ninety percent of countries will be looking closely at their points right until the end. Unfortunately in my profession success is not a straight line. Life gets difficult at times, and above all unpredictable.”
Building a great team
Queiroz also talked about the bigger picture of turning Portugal into a truly world-class outfit - a subject he has raised several times over recent weeks.
“If we are honest we have to say that we have never built a winning national team. We have never been champions. What we have to do is to build a great team.”