England v Portugal - PREVIEW

[Salem6]

Quarter-final three
Gelsenkirchen
Saturday, 1 July
Kick-off: 1600 BST
How to follow the game:
Live on BBC One & Radio Five Live & the BBC Sport website


More coverage details
BBC big screens


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England defender Gary Neville says he is fit and available to play in the quarter-final clash with Portugal after recovering from a calf injury.

The 31-year-old has not featured since England's opener against Paraguay.

Portugal will miss Costinha and Deco on Saturday after they were sent off against Holland in the second round.

Armando Petit is likely to come in for Costinha, Tiago may take over from Deco, while Cristiano Ronaldo is confident of shaking off his injury.


Neville looked in good shape during training on Thursday


The return of Neville, who suffered the setback a fortnight ago in the final training session before the group match with Trinidad and Tobago, would be a timely boost for England.

He first resumed training on Wednesday, and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will ensure he has not suffered any reaction before including him in the starting line-up.

"I've trained and I'm available for selection," said Neville.

"The manager will make the decision and whatever he decides I would go along with even though I am desperate to play."

Eriksson had the luxury on Thursday of all 22 remaining members of his squad being put through their paces.



BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

England and Portugal have met 21 times. Overall, England have an overwhelming edge, having won nine and drawn nine, whilst losing only three times. In competitive matches, the sides are evenly matched at two victories apiece, whilst recording four stalemates.

These nations have each recorded a victory over the other at the World Cup. In 1966, hosts England defeated Portugal 2-1 in the semi-finals. 20 years later, the Iberians vindicated the defeat by beating England 1-0 in the group phase.

Their last meeting came in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. Portugal triumphed after a tense penalty shoot-out that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo slot home the winning spot kick.

Team facts - England

The 1966 World champions have only been eliminated in the knock out stages by former World champions.

England are unbeaten since losing to Northern Ireland in September 2005.

Team facts - Portugal

Portugal have reached the quarter-finals for the second time and the first time in 40 years. Their best World Cup was their debut appearance in 1966 when they finished third. They have never drawn a World Cup clash (16 matches).

Portugal have extended their unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 16 since losing the Euro 2004 final 1-0 to Greece. They qualified for this match by defeating Holland 1-0 in a second round match featuring 16 cards, which equals a World Cup record. The four players sent off represent a new World Cup record.

Player facts - England

Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry cannot afford another yellow if they are to avoid being suspended.

England have not lost a match with Peter Crouch on the pitch (won nine and drawn one in which Crouch has scored six times).

Theo Walcott will become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup at 17 years and 107 days old if he takes the field - only 66 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside. If Walcott nets, he will be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days.

David Beckham is the most capped player in England's squad with 93 caps. He is now fifth on England's all-time list, and also the only English player to have scored in three different World Cups.

Player facts - Portugal

Costinha and Deco are suspended for this match after having been sent off against Holland. Petit, Maniche, Nuno Valente, Ricardo and Luis Figo cannot afford another caution, having each been booked against Holland.

Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal's youngest goalscorer at the World Cup by converting a penalty against Iran. Petit, Luis Figo, Pauleta and Nuno Gomes have become the first Portuguese players ever to play at two World Cups. Figo is Portugal's most capped player, having represented his country 124 times.

Miscellaneous Info

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has won every match he has been in charge of at the World Cup. After seven victories with Brazil in 2002, his Portuguese team have won four out of four so far. England have been knocked out of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 by a side led by Scolari, who's attempting to become the first coach to win the World Cup with two different nations.

Several team-mates will be running into each other. Chelsea employees John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole may face Portuguese players Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche, while Manchester United's Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney may confront Cristiano Ronaldo.

Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports




news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm

[Salem6]

Quarter-final three
Gelsenkirchen
Saturday, 1 July
Kick-off: 1600 BST
How to follow the game:
Live on BBC One & Radio Five Live & the BBC Sport website


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Thousands of England fans have gathered in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the World Cup quarter-final match against Portugal.

It is believed 80,000 are in the city but only 30,000 will get to see the 1600 BST game to be played under a closed roof at the AufShchalke Arena.

Frank Lampard and Gary Neville will both start for England after shaking off injuries.

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a race against time to recover from an injured thigh.


England (probable): Robinson, Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Gerrard, J Cole, Rooney.

Portugal (probable): Ricardo, Miguel, Carvalho, Meira, Valente, Petit, Maniche, Sabrosa, Figo, Ronaldo, Pauleta.

Referee: Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)



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PRE-MATCH BUILD-UP
1020 BST: "The white lines are being painted and the goals are going to be put up soon in this very impressive stadium. There are four giant tunnels that will pump out air during the match, so there shouldn't be a problem with the heat."
BBC News 24's James Pearce inside the AufShchalke Arena.

1005 BST: "I watched England train under the roof at Gelsenkirchen, and the temperature was noticeably cooler inside the vast arena than outside in the sunshine. It should suit England perfectly, although Portugal will not be unhappy either.

England's players looked suitably impressed and looked like they couldn't wait for today's game to start, particularly an animated Gary Neville."
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty in Gelsenkirchen.


0955 BST: "Our supporters (England) will be spread over the region rather than being in one area. I think that's a good thing because it will avoid the scenes we saw in Stuttgart, with that very focal point on the steps outside the main fan park."
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Thomas in Gelsenkirchen.

0940 BST: Although the roof will be covered at the AufShchalke Arena which will aid the players, the fans outside will feel the intensity of the heat with temperatures set to hit 30C.

0915 BST: "England's players will wake up to another glorious morning in Germany, although it looks like the nation is suffering a collective hangover after seeing off Argentina in the quarter-final.

Sven-Goran Eriksson held a briefing with the English media after his televised press conference in Gelsenkirchen - and I have never seen or heard him more confident.

Some might call it wild optimism after England's performances, but I honestly believe Eriksson is convinced his side will win the World Cup... we'll find out soon enough."
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty in Gelsenkirchen.

0908 BST: "All around the city centre they have big screens and other forms of entertainment. The England and Portuguese fans will be very well looked after."
BBC News 24 reporter Chris Hollins in Gelsenkirchen.

0855 BST: "This is the game that will ultimately define the Sven-Goran Eriksson era."
BBC Radio Five Live football correspondent Mike Ingham.



0830 BST: "I will be at the match in Gelsenkirchen against Portugal and I will be happy to meet with the English team."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter on BBC Radio Five Live.

0820 BST: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Michael Carrick is the key to England beating Portugal.

"England are much more compact and solid with Carrick and this, in my opinion, is the way to play in difficult matches," he said.




LATEST TEAM NEWS
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has masterminded England's last two exits from major tournaments, must rejig his side because of the Costinha and Deco suspensions.

And he admitted: "We don't know about Ronaldo. We're still awaiting word on his fitness.

"I'll decide if he plays just a couple of hours before the game."

WORLD CUP BLOG
The Germans call it 'a phenomenon' - they're left scratching their heads at how so many English people make it here for the match one day but are gone the next



Scolari, who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup and Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, may use Simao Sabrosa if Figo is moved from the wing into central midfield.

Scolari added: "All our squad players are special. Those who play in their place are also special players, and we trust them."

Lampard suffered his injury on Thursday during a practice session but joined in with the ball work on Friday with his team-mates and will start the game.

"He's fit, 100%, no concerns at all. He will play," said Eriksson.

Gary Neville is also fit, having recovered from the calf injury he suffered a fortnight ago in the final training session before the group match with Trinidad and Tobago.

He resumed training on Wednesday and on Friday seemed determined to prove his fitness, putting in some hard challenges on David Beckham and Ashley Cole.

"I've trained and I'm available for selection," said Neville. "The manager will make the decision and whatever he decides I would go along with even though I am desperate to play."

"Yes, he is OK and yes he will play," said Eriksson, who is expected to move Owen Hargreaves to midfield to accommodate Neville, with Michael Carrick dropping out of the side.


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

England and Portugal have met 21 times. Overall, England have an overwhelming edge, having won nine and drawn nine, whilst losing only three times. In competitive matches, the sides are evenly matched at two victories apiece, excluding penalty shoot-outs. Four games were all square at the final whistle - one of which was eventually won by Portugal on penalties.

These nations have each recorded a victory over the other at the World Cup. In 1966, hosts England defeated Portugal 2-1 in the semi-finals. Twenty years later, the Iberians avenged the defeat by beating England 1-0 in the group phase.

Their last meeting came in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. Portugal triumphed after a tense penalty shoot-out that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo slot home the winning spot kick.

Team facts - England

The 1966 world champions have only been eliminated in the knock-out stages by former world champions.

England are unbeaten since losing to Northern Ireland in September 2005.

Team facts - Portugal

Portugal have reached the quarter-finals for the second time and the first time in 40 years. Their best World Cup was their debut appearance in 1966 when they finished third. They have never drawn a World Cup clash (16 matches).

Portugal have extended their unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 16 since losing the Euro 2004 final 1-0 to Greece. They qualified for this match by defeating Holland 1-0 in a second round match featuring 16 cards, which equals a World Cup record. The four players sent off represent a new World Cup record.

Player facts - England

Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry cannot afford another yellow if they are to avoid being suspended.

England have not lost a match with Peter Crouch on the pitch (won nine and drawn one in which Crouch has scored six times).

Theo Walcott will become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup at 17 years and 107 days old if he takes the field - only 66 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside. If Walcott nets, he will be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days.

David Beckham is the most capped player in England's squad with 93 caps. He is now fifth on England's all-time list, and also the only English player to have scored in three different World Cups.

Player facts - Portugal

Costinha and Deco are suspended for this match after having been sent off against Holland. Petit, Maniche, Nuno Valente, Ricardo and Luis Figo cannot afford another caution, having each been booked against Holland.

Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal's youngest goalscorer at the World Cup by converting a penalty against Iran. Petit, Luis Figo, Pauleta and Nuno Gomes have become the first Portuguese players ever to play at two World Cups. Figo is Portugal's most capped player, having represented his country 124 times.

Miscellaneous Info

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has won every match he has been in charge of at the World Cup. After seven victories with Brazil in 2002, his Portuguese team have won four out of four so far. England have been knocked out of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 by a side led by Scolari, who's attempting to become the first coach to win the World Cup with two different nations.

Several team-mates will be running into each other. Chelsea employees John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole may face Portuguese players Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche, while Manchester United's Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney may confront Cristiano Ronaldo.

Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports





news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm