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Portugal's Scolari urges home fans to `welcome' Belgium

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari pleaded with supporters on Friday to welcome the Belgium team with respect despite contentious remarks made by the visiting goalkeeper about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal played host to group A rivals Belgium yesterday in what could turn out to be a crucial Euro 2008 qualification match.

Threat

In the build-up to the game, however, 26-year-old Belgium keeper Stijn Stijnen on Thursday was quoted in a regional newspaper, Gazet Van Antwerpen, as saying: "After two minutes we'll bring him down so hard he'll get carried off on a stretcher."

Stijnen's comments caused fury among the Portuguese Football Association, who immediately filed a complaint to European football's governing body. UEFA are set to investigate the allegations.

Belgium's Brazilian coach Scolari has attempted to calm the waters before the game by recalling the atmosphere around the stands four years ago.

"I want to see 55,000 supporters to go crazy for Portugal but with respect for Belgium," Scolari said. "Can you remember how we welcomed the teams that came here [Portugal] for Euro 2004? I want Belgium to get the same kind of reception."

Precarious position

Portugal and Belgium are both in a precarious situation in Group A, both on seven points and occupy fourth and fifth place respectively.

A loss for either team would seriously jeopardize qualification for the finals to be held in Switzerland and Austria beginning June 7.

Finland top the group on eleven points with Serbia and Poland in second and third on ten points.
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