Portugal will arrive at the World Cup with the weighty expectations of demanding coach Carlos Queiroz on their shoulders.
“Portugal is one of the favourites in the race for one of these places,” insisted Queiroz.
“World Cup history has shown us that there are always three big favourites in the semi-finals. Portugal and some 15 other teams will be soliciting the outsider’s place.”
According to the Mozambican-born Queiroz, the favourites — whom he termed as “dinosaurs” —were Brazil, Italy, England, Germany, Spain and Argentina.
“In every match we have a good chance of winning. We know it and more importantly or rivals know it as well,” Queiroz said of his side who are ranked third in the Fifa world standings for the first time in their history.
Portugal were semifinalists in the 2006 and 1966 World Cup tournaments and this time have been drawn in Group G, dubbed the “Group of Death”, alongside Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.
They kick off against the Ivory Coast on June 15 in Port Elizabeth, play North Korea in Cape Town six days later, and wrap up their pool games against Brazil on June 25.
“It’s a fantastic group for world football. And we’ve got North Korea too, a team that triggers good memories,” said Queiroz. “Deep down, I hope that we’re already qualified by the time we face Brazil in our third match, but counting on that would be to show a lack of respect for our other two opponents.”