However, the 2004 European Championship runners-upâ€s relief was tarnished by Cristiano Ronaldoâ€s fitness issues. The Real Madrid winger suffered another ankle injury and had to leave the pitch even before half time.

Portugal badly needed to come out victorious from the encounter on Saturday. At the same time, they had to pray that Sweden did not beat the Danes in Denmark.

That is exactly what happened indeed. Cristiano Ronaldo set up Atletico Madridâ€s Simao Sabrosa for the opening goal at the 17th minute. In fact, Hungaryâ€s goalkeeper Gabor Babos only had himself to blame for that goal as he should have kept hold of Ronaldoâ€s ball from a cross.

Portugal were in search of a second goal and despite trying hard, they could not manage to do so in the first period. Cristiano Ronaldoâ€s substitution on 30 minutes almost inflicted an insurmountable fear on the Portuguese. Portugal coach Carlos Queiros admitted Ronaldo’s contribution for the team’s victory on Saturday night. He stated:

“Ronaldo’s involvement in the first goal was crucial in calming us down.

“It is unfortunate that he was injured.”

Fortunately enough for Ronaldoâ€s country, the second period was all theirs. Striker Liedson doubled Portugalâ€s tally on 73 minutes with a header and Simao Sabrosa grabbed his brace 11 minutes from normal time with a terrific shot.

With Sweden losing away to Denmark, Portugalâ€s victory over Hungary took them up to second in the table. The Portuguese chances of clinching an automatic place in the finals is well and truly dead as five points separate them from the leaders Denmark with one game remaining.

On Wednesday, Portugal play against Malta but one man who will definitely miss this match is captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The post Portugal beat Hungary in must-win qualifier but Ronaldo gets injured first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

This video showcases Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo against Sweden on March 28.

The unlucky Portuguese couldn’t find the net but Cristiano Ronaldo was in top form.

From Angela Asante

The post Ronaldo skills against Sweden first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

A goalless draw at home to Sweden on Saturday wasnâ€t the expected result from a Portuguese fan point of view.

With only 6 points from a possible 15 and four points off the pace of leaders Denmark and Hungary, it looks like Portugal will not make it to the finals in South Africa.

Even the presence of the Worldâ€s Best Player Cristiano Ronaldo couldnâ€t power the Seleccao to clinch all three points. (See his post-match interview here):

The Manchester United number 7 missed an opportunity eight minutes from time to give his team what would have been a deserved victory.

Portugal displayed good football, but their inability to hit the back of the net for the third consecutive time in the qualifiers have cost them dearly. Coach Carlos Queiroz feels the pressure:

“We’re frustrated after so much effort and a good display. Unfortunately football is not for those who deserve it but for those who win,”

“It’s not over though we have to admit we are in a more difficult situation.”

Portugal certainly lack of the indispensable winning mentality that works out wonders. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo couldnâ€t hide his discontent at his team failure to click with his good passes and score.

The Portuguese need to break the curse that has let them draw goalless for the third time in a row in the qualifiers. A single win against Malta last year isnâ€t enough to help them become hot challengers for the first spot especially in Group A.

Finishing second his perhaps what Portugal will try and achieve. However, it goes without saying that securing the first place is the safest thing to manage. The Seleccao might have to face the likes of difficult oppositions such as France, Germany or Russia in the playoffs – which isnâ€t an easy task at all.

All the same, Ronaldo still has faith in his sideâ€s chances of reaching the World Cup. The skipper prefers to be optimistic and brush away any fears.

Portugal face South Africa on March 31st in a friendly in Switzerland. Victory at last may help them discover the perfect tonic to continue their World Cup qualification campaign which resumes in June.

Written by: Angela Asante

The post Portugal in a tougher position after drawing again first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

Portugal host Sweden in Porto tomorrow in a crucial encounter that might determine Cristiano Ronaldoâ€s World Cup fate.
The Portuguese have no right to make any mistake. A crushing victory is very much needed if Portugal want to boost their chances of qualifying and respond to the fans†embarrassment.

Despite Ibrahimovicâ€s absence from the squad through suspension, it looks like things will still be tough for the Seleccao. (See video of Sweden v Portugal, first leg)

Swedenâ€s iconic number 7 Henrik Larsson is already targeting Cristiano Ronaldo, branding him with the name “diver”.

“I intend to speak with the referee before the match to warn him about Ronaldo diving,” Larsson told The Daily Mail in Portugal.

“We must be careful, as a team, not to get caught out by that, but so must the referee. I will be having a word with him and telling him to keep an eye out for it.”

Depending on the impact these words might have on the referee, Portugal will surely have to deal with controversy.

One other person too that Cristiano Ronaldo will have to avoid is Wiganâ€s Edman. The defender – who has been relegated to Wigan reserves – might take this opportunity to prove his worth.

“I am happy to be here, because I have had this week to convince him that I should play,” Edman declared to Fotbolls Expressen.

“I want to play – I have felt good in training at Wigan. I donâ€t need to do any extra running or anything, but I am missing first-team football. I donâ€t know if I will play [against Portugal].

“Iâ€m a little bit confused about what Lasse and [assistant coach] Roland [Andersson] are thinking, but they want to keep the players, the media and Portugal guessing. They are good at keeping you in the dark.”

He continued: “You go in and you do what you can. That is what it is all about. He doesnâ€t just play on the wings – he floats around, moves in to collect the ball. He does whatever he likes.

“Itâ€s important that you restrict his opportunities to go one-on-one with you. He is dangerous there, but then Simao, Bosingwa and Nani are too.

“Ronaldo is like Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]. He can suddenly do something and then – bang! – your afternoon is destroyed.”

This is what Portuguese fans are hoping for: a typical Cristiano Ronaldo performance.

Written by: Angela Asante

The post Larsson and Edman up against Ronaldo first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

(Click on “Read more” to see Portugal’s last international game highlights, played on February 11th against Finland)

Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to power his team to an imperative victory. The talismanic number 7 didn’t hide his discontentment at his team’s embarrassing situation while speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday’s qualifier:

“It’s not a tranquil team, as the results haven’t been those we want,” Ronaldo explained.

The Seleccaos are on the brink of loosing out from a place in the finals. Failing to win in Porto this weekend will meen just that.

Written by: Angela Asante

The post Ronaldo to lead Portugal against Sweden on Saturday first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

On Saturday, Portugal travelled to Sweden with the aim of bouncing back from their heartbreaking 3 – 2 defeat to Denmark.

Ronaldo returned to the squad while Deco, Maniche, Carvalho, and Simao Sabrosa were all out due to injury. On the other side, Sweden possessed the services of Ibrahimovic among others.

Neither the Portuguese, nor the Swedish were able to break the deadlock and the game finished 0 – 0 after ninety minutes.

Well, a goalless draw was perhaps the fair results between two injury-hit teams.

Portugal play Albania on Wednesday and Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to dominate the field and lead his country to victory in front of the home fans.

Written by: Angela Asante

Order Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal shirt here!

The post Ronaldo returns but Portugal draw goalless in Sweden first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.

The 2010 World Cup qualifiers resume this weekend with Portugal playing away to Sweden in Group A.

Portugalâ€s new coach Carlos Queiros will have to deal without the likes of Deco, Simao Sabrosa, Maniche, or even Ricardo Carvalho as these players all have injury worries.

However, one man who is back in the squad is Manchester Unitedâ€s ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

The winger had his first call up since the Euros last week Friday, and he is extremely delighted to reunite with Man Unitedâ€s former assistant manager Carlos Queiros.

Speaking to a Portuguese paper Record, Ronaldo explained how much he was happy to be back playing for his country and especially under his ‘father†Carlos Queiros.

The Portuguese Superstar assessed his teamâ€s chances of qualifying, stating that he was very confident of qualification despite their last minute 3 – 2 loss at home to Denmark in their last game.

Cristiano Ronaldo has a lot of belief in Carlos Queiros, despite the manâ€s mixed start since he took charge of the club.

Portugalâ€s defence will have to contain Inter Milanâ€s Ibrahimovic and break the lines of goalkeeper Isaksson to clinch victory far away in Sweden; Ronaldoâ€s combination with Nani and Quaresma is certainly the perfect trio to do so.

Written by: Angela Asante

The post Ronaldo and Queiros reunited first appeared on Cristiano Ronaldo Fan | News, Photos, Blog, Pics, Videos.