Portugal, without Ricardinho, “moves” the calls for private parties with the Netherlands – Observer
The coach Jorge Braz called 15 players for the two friendly matches against the Netherlands, the first after Portugal won the Futsal World Cup and Ricardinho abandoned it, announced this Thursday the Portuguese Football Federation.
Compared to the team that won the world title, in Lithuania, besides Ricardinho, Braz withdrew from the squad Bebé, Afonso Jesus, Pany Varela and Vítor Hugo and called Edu, Nilson, Mário Freitas and Silvestre.
The Portuguese team plays in the Netherlands on 15 and 16 November, with two games that will serve as preparation for the final phase of Euro2020, which starts on January 16th, precisely, in Dutch lands and where the Portuguese team will defend the European title won in 2018.
In a tournament that will take place in Amsterdam and Groningen, the Netherlands are even Portugal’s opponents in Group A, along with Ukraine. Serbia and Belarus will also fight for the remaining place in the finals.
The two particulars mark the return to competition in Portugal after having won the World Cup and will be the first games without Ricardinho, the now former captain, who this week announced his choice of the team from the corners.
Jorge Braz’s team plays on November 15th in Almere (18:00, Lisbon time) and the match on the 16th will be in Zeist (3:00 pm).
Goalkeepers: André Sousa (Benfica) and Edu (Valdepeñas).
Fixed Lines: André Coelho (FC Barcelona), João Matos (Sporting), Nilson (Benfica) and Tomás Paçó (Sporting).
Wings: Bruno Coelho (Naples), Mário Freitas (Fundão), Miguel Ângelo (Sporting), Pauleta (Sporting), Silvestre (Benfica) and Tiago Brito (Sporting de Braga).
Universal: Erick (Sporting) and Fábio Cecílio (Sporting de Braga).
Pivots: Zicky (Sporting).