LISBON (Reuters) - Penpix of Portugal's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa: 1-Eduardo (Braga). Goalkeeper. Born Sept. 19 1982. Caps 14. Goals 0. First-choice keeper since Quim was dropped in early 2009. Conceded only two goals in eight qualifiers. A good shot-stopper with a decent record of saving penalties but can struggle in the air. Played a key role in Braga's surprise title bid this season and has been linked with a move to Benfica. 12-Beto (Porto). Goalkeeper. Born May 1 1982. Caps 1. Goals 0. His first season at Porto was spent mainly on the bench but solid performances in the Portuguese Cup and Helton's late injury allowed him to show his reliability and earn a call-up. Agile and courageous, does not let his small stature prevent him from dealing with high balls. 22-Daniel Fernandes (VfL Bochum). Goalkeeper. Born Sept. 25 1983. Caps 2. Goals 0. Tall Canada-born keeper who received a surprise call-up mainly thanks to his strength in the air. Successful seasons at Greek side Paok earned him a transfer to Bochum, but a lack of first-team appearances saw him return to Greece on loan to Iraklis in January. 3-Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea). Defender. Born Jan. 18 1979. Caps 61. Goals 0. Subtle but effective baby-faced right back who has shown he can stifle world-class wingers. Seldom makes overlapping runs but is a good team player who can also cover the left side of defence as he did for Portugal under Luiz Felipe Scolari at various finals. 13-Miguel (Valencia). Defender. Born Jan 4 1980. Caps 56. Goals 1. Experienced, but temperamental, this right back likes to storm forward to deliver tricky crosses. With Jose Bosingwa ruled out through injury, Miguel will be the first choice if Paulo Ferreira is deployed on the left. 2-Bruno Alves (Porto). Defender. Born Nov. 27 1981. Caps 30. Goals 5. Uncompromising and aggressive, Alves poses problems for even the most lethal forwards. Uses his height and heading ability effectively at both ends of the pitch. Notched up two goals to give Portugal crucial wins in qualifying. 6-Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea). Defender. Born May 18 1978. Caps 62. Goals 3. Perhaps past his sublime peak, but remains one of the classiest central defenders around. Dependable, has excellent positioning and timing in the tackle. Commanding in the air and has good distribution when bringing the ball out of defence. 4-Rolando (Porto). Defender. Born Aug. 31 1985. Caps 8. Goals 0. Cape Verde-born lanky centre back who forms a solid club partnership with Alves but is likely to start on the bench. Caught the eye of several large clubs with fine European displays in 2009, but has been more erratic this season. 21-Ricardo Costa (Valencia). Defender. Born May 16 1981. Caps 8. Goals 0. One of the main surprises in the squad, Costa offers versatility by being able to play in all the defensive positions. His temperamental style has been reined in during spells in Germany and France. 5-Duda (Malaga). Defender. Born June 27 1980. Caps 15. Goals 1. Plays in left midfield or as a winger for Malaga, but was used as left back in the qualifiers due to lack of options for that spot. A consistent performer in the Spanish league, Duda is a good crosser and can be dangerous from free kicks. 23-Fabio Coentrao (Benfica). Defender. Born March 11 1988. Caps 3. Goals 0. Originally a winger, Coentrao was one the revelations of the domestic season, playing on the left side of defence for Benfica's title-winning side. Made his international debut as a substitute in the playoff against Bosnia and then impressed in pre-World Cup friendlies. 15-Pepe (Real Madrid). Midfielder. Born Feb. 26 1983. Caps 24. Goals 2. Speedy and tall central defender who silenced Real Madrid fans' doubts with classy displays after a 30-million-euro move from Porto in 2007. Moved up to play in front of the defence for Portugal, covers lots of ground and threatens on set pieces. Has not played since sustaining knee injury in December but is expected to recover for the finals. 20-Deco (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born Aug. 27 1977. Caps 73. Goals 5. The diminutive, Brazil-born playmaker may not dominate matches like he used to but remains an excellent passer who can tear defences apart. Can drift out of matches, but is still unpredictable and capable of creating chances out of nothing. Will retire from international football after the tournament. 14-Miguel Veloso (Sporting). Midfielder. Born May 11 1986. Caps 11. Goals 1. Versatile, can play in several midfield positions and at left back. Has a fine left foot and has drawn bids from top clubs. Previously criticised for concentrating more on fancy hairdos than his game, has improved recently. 8-Pedro Mendes (Sporting). Midfielder. Born Feb. 26 1979. Caps 7. Goals 0. A solid display on his October return to the international scene after a five-year absence had Portugal fans wondering why he had been left out in the cold so long. The rugged, long-haired Mendes is a strong ball-winner and precise passer. 16-Raul Meireles (Porto). Midfielder. Born March 17 1983. Caps 33. Goals 5. Tactically astute and highly mobile, the heavily-tattooed Meireles is comfortable in the tackle, passes well and has a powerful shot. Had a mediocre season with Porto, but still notched up more minutes than any other Portugal player in the qualifiers and scored a crucial goal in the playoff second leg. 19-Tiago (Juventus). Midfielder. Born May 2 1981. Caps 50. Goals 1. Moved to Atletico Madrid on loan in January to boost his World Cup chances after struggling at Juventus. Good ball-winner who gives team some much-needed bite, Tiago is also a good passer but rarely surges forward into dangerous positions himself. 7-Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid). Forward. Born Feb. 5 1985. Caps 71. Goals 22. The world's most expensive player may have been overshadowed by Lionel Messi lately but he will still be one of the main attractions at the finals. Tricky runs, unstoppable free kicks and clinical finishing are all part of Ronaldo's arsenal. Did not score nor perform spectacularly in the qualifiers, but had a strong debut season for Real Madrid and has a record of solid performances at major finals. 17-Nani (Manchester United). Forward. Born Nov. 17 1986. Caps 36. Goals 7. Can leave fans frustrated with ineffective displays but also delights with electric pace, precise crossing and long-distance scoring. Had a strong second half of the season at Manchester United after a poor start. Will fight for a starting spot with Simao, but crucial assists and goals in qualifying could give him the upper hand. 11-Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid). Forward. Born Oct. 31 1979. Caps 80. Goals 21. The team's top scorer in qualifying, the curly-haired Simao is an experienced winger who makes up for his lack of height with speed, dribbling technique, precise passing and crossing. Can be deadly with curling free kicks. 10-Danny (Zenit St Petersburg). Forward. Born Aug. 7 1983. Caps 10. Goals 1. Speedy and tricky forward who can play as winger or second striker. Zenit broke a Russian record by paying 30 million euros for him in 2008. Played in first five qualifiers but was then sidelined with a serious knee injury. Impressive form since return in March swayed Queiroz to call him back to the squad. 18-Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen). Forward. Born May 23 1984. Caps 25. Goals 7. Tall powerful striker who gives Portugal presence in the air. Had an injury-plagued start to the season for Werder Bremen but has recovered to find goalscoring form. Played an important part in qualifying but dropped down the pecking order after Liedson was introduced. 9-Liedson (Sporting). Forward. Born Dec. 17 1977. Caps 7. Goals 3. Lean and lethal Brazil-born finisher whose goal-poaching exploits for Sporting transferred naturally to the national side after he obtained Portuguese citizenship last year. Scored a crucial equaliser in a qualifier against Denmark on his international debut and is expected to be first choice to end Portugal's goalscoring woes. (Reporting by Shrikesh Laxmidas; Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email [email protected])
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