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Last Updated: Monday, 26 June 2006, 08:55 GMT 09:55 UK
Ronaldo aims to end England hopes
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport in Nuremberg

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo is eager to get fit in time to face England
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be out to end England's dream of winning the World Cup when the two countries meet in the quarter-finals.

The Manchester United star hopes to overcome the thigh injury he sustained against Holland to play on Saturday.

"It is a special match because I play in England," he said. "I've been there for three years and I hope we can win.

"I've got a blue mark after the hit on my thigh. Let's see how it develops. The doctors will see on Monday."

Ronaldo had to be substituted during the first half of Portugal's 1-0 win over Holland in the last 16 after a crude challenge from Khalid Boulahrouz.

Portugal midfielders Deco and Costinha were sent off in the game and will now miss the England tie.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side will be out to avenge their loss on penalties to Portugal at the same stage at Euro 2004.

But Portugal keeper Ricardo, who scored the winning penalty in the Euro 2004 shootout, was not impressed with England's display against Ecuador on Sunday.

He said: "We're going to meet England again in the quarter-finals and this time, I don't want to decide it on penalties.

"I don't even think that England deserved to win the game against Ecuador."

Portugal right-back Miguel believes it will be a conflict of styles.

Luiz Felipe Scolari
Portugal coach Scolari was nearly named the new England boss

"It is going to be a different type of game against England," he said after the win over the Dutch.

"They play more direct football. We like to pass the ball more. We will try to impose our game.

"The only match I remember as tense as the one against Holland was against England at Euro 2004 when we went on to win on penalties."

The two teams also met at the semi-final stage of the 1966 World Cup when England claimed a 2-1 victory over Eusebio and his team-mates, and famously went on to win the trophy.

But Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is determined to avoid a repeat as he looked ahead to steering the side to their best ever World Cup showing.

"Now I have to put a team together to face England, but with a few problems," he said.

"But that's part of my job. I've got 23 players, two cannot play, but Cristiano has got five or six days and he will probably recover."

Scolari added: "We want our exploits to go beyond what the country did in 1966."



SEE ALSO
Portugal 1-0 Holland
25 Jun 06 |  World Cup 2006
Win secures Scolari coach record
21 Jun 06 |  Portugal
Scolari salutes 'heroic victory'
25 Jun 06 |  Portugal
I did want England job - Scolari
22 Jun 06 |  England
England 1-0 Ecuador
25 Jun 06 |  World Cup 2006
Portugal team guide
22 May 06 |  Portugal
Pick your Portugal XI
31 May 06 |  Squad selectors
World Cup schedule
25 May 06 |  Schedule
Have your say on the World Cup
28 Apr 06 |  Football
BBC World Cup coverage
27 Apr 06 |  BBC coverage


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