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Scolari Shows Portugal World Cup Team

This week was the final date for World Cup coaches to present their 23 players that are coming to Germany. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the world champion, has announced Portugal`s World Cup squad, and surprisingly enough Ricardo Quaresma was not named as a participant. Scolari ignored Quaresma, who helped Porto win the league and the Portuguese Cup, but retained players who are recovering from injury or are not playing regularly for their teams.

The biggest loss from the squad was central defender Jorge Andrade, who is recovering from knee surgery. He will be replaced by Porto`s Ricardo Costa. Midfielder Costinha, dropped by Dynamo Moscow for disciplinary reasons, was given permission by the Russian club to train in Portugal to regain his form to play in the World Cup. Scolari said he had not yet decided on his line up. "I still have not defined the 11. I only have seven or eight defined to start in the friendly with Cape Verde," he said. "As of now it will be a tough fight but a good one."

Portugal have been drawn to play Angola, Mexico and Iran in Group D at the finals starting on June 9. Asked which game would be the hardest, Scolari said: "It is always the first one...after that it is the second and the third. I would like you to be aware of Iran. They are a very strong side, we have to respect them. Mexico also has a very technically advanced side and Angola will bring difficulties," Scolari said.