Thursday, 14th November, 2013
Former Portugal international Deco has warned his national team against conceding in the playoff first leg, if they want to make their fourth-consecutive World Cup finals.
Portugal face Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co. tomorrow at home in the first leg of the World Cup playoffs, a match many have billed as the best of the European ties.
Much of the focus will be on who of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic emerges on top but Deco, who played in two World Cups and a European Championship, wants Portugal to focus on the bigger picture as well.
"I will always cheer for the national team", Deco told Portuguese outlet Record. "Hopefully we can pass the playoffs [stage]. A World Cup without Portugal will not be the same.
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"Portugal are able to move well. Sweden have a good squad but Portugal also have a good team.
"It will be important not to concede at home otherwise it will give them a very big advantage for the second leg.
"Ibrahimovic is a dangerous player who has scored a lot, but on our side we have Cristiano."
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