Portugal: Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is hoping Cristiano Ronaldo can make a big impact at the World Cup after failing to shine during the country's qualifying campaign.
"I hope he's able to produce more for Portugal" in South Africa, Queiroz said on Friday.
The Real Madrid star didn't score a single goal and showed sometimes indifferent form as he fought a spate of injuries, including an ankle operation after the 2008 European Championship.
Ronaldo, FIFA world player of the year in 2008 when he was still at Manchester United, was sidelined for five of Portugal's 12 qualification matches, including tense playoffs with Bosnia-Herzegovina. In some games, he was returning to fitness after an injury layoff.
"You have to remember ... he has had lots of difficulties over the past two seasons with injuries and the operation he had," Queiroz told a foreign media conference in Lisbon.
But he added: "Within his limitations, he made a fantastic contribution."
The coach also noted that Ronaldo remains Portugal's seventh all-time top scorer, with 22 goals in 69 appearances.
Portugal struggled in qualifying, conceding a run of three 0-0 draws, two of them at home, but Queiroz built a team which came good late in the campaign. He's now hoping that Ronaldo can burst back into the limelight and give Portugal an extra edge.
"We have a solid structure of proven players now. We believe that the team which pulled us through (qualification) can benefit from the impact Ronaldo will have on the team," Queiroz said.
Portugal, a semifinalist at the 2006 World Cup and ranked third in the world by FIFA, is in Group G with five-time World Cup champion Brazil, African powerhouse Ivory Coast, and North Korea. Only two teams advance.
"It's the hardest group," Queiroz said.
Portugal's opening game is against Ivory Coast on June 15.
Queiroz said he had relatively little information about the North Koreans and was glad he would have a chance to see them in action against Brazil before meeting them June 21.
"Any lapse of concentration (in the game against North Korea) could carry a heavy price. It could decide the group," Queiroz warned.
The coach will announce his squad May 10, four days before its training camp begins in Portugal, but Queiroz said he does not expect to have all his players before May 23 due to ongoing European competitions.
He has chosen most of his squad, he said, but declined to elaborate. His main doubt is Real Madrid defender Pepe, who underwent surgery on his injured right knee in December and is in a recovery program.
"I believe he'll be ready in time," Queiroz said, adding that he was waiting to hear from the player and his doctors before making a final decision.
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