World Cup - Ronaldo fit for vital clashes

Eurosport - Fri, 09 Oct 16:37:00 2009

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa have recovered from injury in time for Portugal's must-win World Cup qualifier against Hungary.

FOOTBALL - 2010 - Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo (DPPI) - 0

"Only (Juventus midfielder) Tiago did not recover; all the others have recovered and are fit to contribute," coach Carlos Queiroz said,

Ronaldo said he hoped to be fit enough to play the full 90 minutes in Lisbon after his ankle injury.

"I am almost at 100 per cent, and with more treatment today and tomorrow I will be in full condition to play," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo sprained an ankle playing for Real Madrid in a Champions League match against Marseille last week and missed the club's league defeat at Sevilla last weekend.

Bosingwa missed his club's last domestic match, a 2-0 home win over Liverpool, due to an unspecified muscle injury.

Malaga defender Duda and Guimaraes midfielder Nuno Assis have shaken off knocks in time for Saturday's qualifier, Queiroz added.

Portugal are third in Group 1 and must win on Saturday, and against Malta on Wednesday, while hoping that Sweden drop points, if they are to reach the play-offs.

Ronaldo added that he believed his former Manchester United colleague Wayne Rooney was joking when he said he would be pleased if Portugal failed to qualify for the World Cup.

"I am sure he was joking," the former World Player of the Year said.

"He is a good friend of mine and he knows Portugal are a top team. He played a few times against us and never won. But I am sure he was joking as he has friends here (in the Portugal squad)."

Newspapers quoted Rooney as saying "it would be nice" to see Portugal not qualify as they had knocked out England in their last two appearances in major tournaments, the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2004.

Queiroz, who worked with both players at United, said Rooney was showing his respect for Portugal.

"Knowing him, I know why he said that; it's because it shows his respect for Portuguese football and Ronaldo particularly," Queiroz said.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 3 of 3

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  1. Dears Friends of Football,don,t try lie or hate­ Portugal.Im sure they will win and
    even take the World­ Cup.Don,t try to joke with Ronaldo he is a man to­ respect if it comes to football.

    From onenchan_ronald, on Sat 10 Oct 9:00AM
  2. You guys should be realistic. Portugal will qualify­ despite none of us wants them to.

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 9 Oct 9:54PM
  3. Malta will knock you out dear Portugal:) beware­ rooonalddoooo....btw i support manchester united and­ since you left...wellll......you wont succeed­ anywhere.....

    From Maria...Malta, on Fri 9 Oct 8:14PM
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