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Portugal need to get back on track against Belgium

Portugal has made its worst start to European Championship qualifying in more than 20 years and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari needs his team back on track against Belgium today.

Portugal hasn't beaten Belgium since 1987, and the Belgians also need a win if they want to stay in contention for next year's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

"It's time to change the course of history," Benfica striker Nuno Gomes said.

Scolari, who took Portugal to the Euro 2004 final and fourth place at last year's World Cup, said his team needs to win all of its remaining Group A matches.

Portugal and Belgium share fourth place in the group ahead of the game at Sporting Lisbon's Alvalade Stadium, but Portugal has played four games to Belgium's five.

So far, Portugal has seven points from a possible 12. It lost 2-1 in Poland and drew 1-1 in Finland.

After hosting Belgium at the weekend, it travels to Serbia for a game on Wednesday.

"To get to the top of the group standings we have to beat Belgium first and then Serbia, but we can handle the pressure," Gomes said. "Belgium is an experienced team. They're also tall players which will require us to be careful in some situations."

Portugal is the highest-scoring team in the group with eight goals, but its attack is weakened by the absence of midfielders Deco and Simao Sabrosa. The FC Barcelona player underwent surgery on his right hand this week, while Simao is suspended.

FC Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma is likely to replace Simao on the left flank, while Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho could step into the playmaker role. Valencia's Hugo Viana trained against Moutinho on Thursday and could also assume Deco's position.

Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida could push strikers Nuno Gomes of Benfica, and FC Porto's Helder Postiga out of the way for what would be his international debut.

"I would like to follow in the footsteps of Pauleta," Almeida said of the PSG player who is the all-time top scorer for Portugal.

Belgium is missing Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza who has a thigh strain. He was replaced by Racing Genk's Kevin Vandenbergh.
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