Cristiano Ronaldo helped ensure Portugal's revival in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H

An early free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped ensure Portugal's revival in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H continued apace against point-less Iceland.

The Real Madrid CF forward's third-minute strike after a foul on Carlos Martins was cancelled out by Heidar Helguson after 17 minutes. Raúl Meireles restored the visitors' lead just before the half-hour, though it was not until 18 minutes from time that Paulo Bento's team confirmed their second victory in five days when substitute Hélder Postiga struck.

Ronaldo's third-minute set piece was not as powerful as his usual trademark efforts, but goalkeeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson could not prevent the ball going into his right-hand corner. Iceland constantly sought to use their aerial advantage, a policy from which they gained reward when Helguson headed in Indridi Sigurdsson's corner.

Portugal were ahead again ten minutes later, however, as Meireles unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 metres. With Iceland preventing the visitors from deploying their passing game Portugal frequently tried their luck from distance, Meireles almost scoring again with a curling shot that hit the crossbar on 53 minutes.

Postiga could have scored five minutes after coming on for Hugo Almeida but failed to make the most of a fine lay-off from Ronaldo by allowing Gunnleifsson to block. He was not so profligate soon after, though, taking advantage of Gunnleifsson's fumble from Ronaldo's cross to tap in a simple third. Portugal, who defeated Denmark 3-1 on Friday, are in second place in Group H on seven points, two adrift of a Norway team they face when their campaign resumes in June.

Portugal coach got off to the best possible start an entertaining UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier

Paulo Bento's reign as Portugal coach got off to the best possible start as his side defeated Denmark in an entertaining UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier at the Estádio do Dragão.

Two goals in two first-half minutes from Nani put the home team in control. Morten Olsen's side hit back when Ricardo Carvalho put through his own net but Cristiano Ronaldo sealed Portugal's first Group H win, leaving them in good spirits ahead of Tuesday's trip to Iceland. Denmark will attempt to get back on the winning trail against Cyprus in Copenhagen.

Despite losing two of their last three encounters with Denmark, the home side started on the front foot and João Moutinho's early shot was deflected over as they sought to pin the visitors back in their own half. Martin Vingaard had Denmark's first chance in the 11th minute but his effort was straight at Eduardo.

A tight, tense encounter was developing in front of a nervy Dragão crowd, but home captain Ronaldo began to come to the fore. It was he who created the opener on 29 minutes, sending in a low cross from the left which fellow winger Nani coolly slipped under Thomas Sørensen. The Manchester United FC man clearly has a liking for Denmark, having scored against them on his Portugal debut back in September 2006. He struck again moments later, hammering a superb, rising left-footer past Sørensen and into the roof of the net as the Danish defence backed off.

It was the goalkeeper's last action of the evening as he was forced off with an injury sustained as he attempted to prevent the first goal, and replaced by Anders Lindegaard. The new man was soon in the thick of things, acrobatically tipping wide Ronaldo's fizzing shot from outside the box. Portugal began the second period in similar fashion and the skipper came yet closer, smacking a shot against a post after a fleet-footed run by Fábio Coentrão. The busy Lindegaard again denied Ronaldo on 76 minutes with a sprawling save to push his low shot around the post.

With 11 minutes to go the visitors set up an exciting finish when Vingaard's corner skimmed off the unfortunate Carvalho and crept just inside Eduardo's far post. Denmark had stunned Portugal with a stirring late fightback to win the last time the two sides met on these shores in September 2008, but Bento's men clinched matters when Ronaldo finished smartly from Nani's perfect pass.

Striker Liedson and midfielder Miguel Veloso have been forced to pull out of Portugal’s squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers

LISBON: Striker Liedson and midfielder Miguel Veloso have been forced to pull out of Portugal’s squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Denmark and Iceland, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on Tuesday.

Veloso injured his left ankle playing for Genoa against Bari in Serie A on Sunday, while Liedson picked up a foot injury during training on Tuesday and missed Sporting’s 1-1 draw against Beira Mar.

Portugal’s new national coach Paulo Bento has replaced the pair with two midfielders – Porto’s Ruben Micael, who receives his first call-up, and Valencia’s Manuel Fernandes.

Portugal are second from bottom of Group H with one point from their first two qualifiers having lost 1-0 in Norway following a 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus.

They play Denmark at home tomorrow and then face Iceland away four days later

Cristiano Ronaldo Aware Of Importance Of Wins Over Denmark & Iceland upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to representing his nation in their upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Denmark and Iceland, and is aware that six points are imperative for their aspirations of reaching the finals.

A Seleccao have begun their campaign disastrously, drawing 4-4 at home to Cyprus before going down to a 1-0 defeat in Norway.

Speaking at a press conference at his national team camp today, Ronaldo said of the matches: “The past is past, now we have to think about this. If we win the next two games, we will breathe a little better. We are in a difficult situation, but the team is fine. We are anxious for Friday to come, and to win.

“We have lost at home to Denmark before [in September 2008 during World Cup qualifying] but this will be a different story. The team is confident, and I am confident. We will give a good response, and we will win.”

CR7 also commented on Real Madrid’s start to the new season, and believes that they are beginning to find their form after a slow beginning.

He remarked: “The team is growing, and we saw this against Deportivo. There are more teams in the league that are dangerous, Valencia are also a rival of ours. But I believe that the team is feeling physically better.”

Mourinho rejects Portugal request

Mourinho was approached by Portugal's football federation and asked if he would take over for the qualifiers at home to Denmark on October 8 and away to Iceland four days later.

He told a news conference at Real's training ground on Friday he was unable to accept the offer as he believed his club would not have reacted positively to his absence.

"For personal pride and passion for Portugal I couldn't say no but I can't say yes either," Mourinho said.

"My sense is that in the Real Madrid world it would have been interpreted negatively," he added.

"There would have to be total agreement and I don't think that's going to happen. Real Madrid has every right to make the decision they have. For me the issue is finished."

Portugal sacked Carlos Queiroz this month after he was suspended for six months for insulting anti-doping agents before the World Cup and have yet to name a replacement.

They have had a poor start to their qualifying campaign, with a 4-4 home draw against Cyprus and a 1-0 defeat in Norway.

Portugal hire Bento as new coach

The former Sporting Lisbon manager has agreed a two-year deal that will see him take charge until the completion of the European Championship in 2012.

Bento was capped 35 times by Portugal during his playing days as a defensive midfielder and has had two spells in charge of Sporting as well as a period at the Benfica helm.

Former boss Queiroz was dismissed earlier in the month after leading his side to a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Portugal have only managed one point from two games in Group H and are already five points behind leaders Denmark.

Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail launched an attempt to secure the services of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis but his effort was thwarted by Los Merengues president Florentino Perez.

Bento now has the task of turning around the fortunes of the national side, after they crashed out in the second round of the World Cup to Spain.

His first game in charge will be a crunch clash against Denmark on Friday October 8 as Portugal look to peg back the group leaders.

Diego Maradona is among a trio of Latin American coaches keen to replace sacked coach Carlos Queiroz and revive Portugal’s Euro 2012 qualifying campa

LISBON: Diego Maradona is among a trio of Latin American coaches keen to replace sacked coach Carlos Queiroz and revive Portugal’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) axed Queiroz last week in the wake of his six-month ban for insulting anti-doping agents and are expected name his successor in the next few days.

Maradona, out of work since leaving his position as Argentina coach after the World Cup, fellow Argentine Jose Pekerman and former Mexico coach Jose Aguirre have been linked with the position.

Former Sporting coach Paulo Bento is seen by the local media as the strongest candidate but some FPF directors believe Portugal need an overseas coach with an international pedigree who is used to dealing with global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to shine under Queiroz.

Portugal’s Euro 2012 qualifying hopes have been hit by a dismal start. A 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus was followed by a 1-0 defeat in Norway.

“It’s true (Maradona is interested). Diego and I talked about it and it is a project that attracts us. He is willing and has availability, but has not been contacted yet,” Alejandro Mancuso, one of Maradona’s assistants during his spell as Argentina coach, told the A Bola sports daily.

Pekerman, another former Argentina coach, is also interested in the Portugal job.

“Many national sides wanted to hire him, but he was not interested. The Portuguese team, yes, that interests him,” his agent Jose Sanchez Parra told Portuguese radio Renascenca.

He added that Aguirre, who resigned as Mexico coach in June, has also shown an interest in the position. Prior to Queiroz, Portugal also had a coach from Latin America. Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Scolari took the team to the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup. – Reuters

Erik Huseklepp scored the only goal on 21 minutes as Egil Olsen's side upset the Group H favourites in Olso.

Erik Huseklepp pounced on an error by goalkeeper Eduardo to secure a famous win for Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and add to Portugal's early woes in Group H.

Portugal, the section favourites, drew 4-4 with Cyprus on Friday before this latest disappointment while Egil Olsen's side have got off to a dream start with maximum points from their first two outings following victory against Iceland. The only goal of this game came in the 21st minute when John Carew blocked a clearance from Eduardo and Huseklepp pounced on the loose ball before rolling it into the unguarded net.

Portugal had actually started brightest and worked an opening five minutes in, but Raul Meireles rushed his shot when put clean through by Tiago and fired over. Huseklepp's goal turned the momentum Norway's way and the home team enjoyed their best spell soon after, even if the Portuguese remained a threat with Manuel Fernandes and Ricardo Quaresma both going close in quick succession.

Portugal laid siege to the Norway goal at the start of the second half, but resolute defending restricted the visiting side to shots from distance. Hugo Almeida did put the ball in the Norway goal, but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside. With the clock ticking down Almeida was foiled by Jon Knudsen and Danny's shot cleared the crossbar narrowly as Norway held on. Olsen's men will hope to continue their winning start in Cyprus on 8 October when Portugal host Denmark.