Portugal face 'life or death' match, says Scolari

Roman Abramovich makes no secret of his ostentatious presence here, with countless million roubles-worth of gleaming superyacht anchored in the Rio Tejo. But it is perhaps judicious to be close at hand when several of your prime footballing assets are on loan to their respective nations throughout June. It is also provident to be adjacent, should his new manager Jose Mourinho covet talent over here.

Roman Abramovich makes no secret of his ostentatious presence here, with countless million roubles-worth of gleaming superyacht anchored in the Rio Tejo. But it is perhaps judicious to be close at hand when several of your prime footballing assets are on loan to their respective nations throughout June. It is also provident to be adjacent, should his new manager Jose Mourinho covet talent over here.

Tonight, the Chelsea owner will be just a Russian supporter at the Estadio da Luz where his compatriots face Portugal in what Luiz Felipe Scolari describes as "a life or death match". Defeat for either team would probably cast them adrift from Group A qualification. Yet, Abramovich will be scrutinising the Portuguese, and now Chelsea, player Paulo Ferreira, who did little to distinguish himself as one of the world's most expensive defenders in Saturday's opening contest, as well as the mercurial midfielder Deco, who performs - or perhaps it should be said, occasionally labours - under the epithet "The Magician". Yet, he may become another addition at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian-born Deco, together with Manchester United's winger Cristiano Ronaldo - both substitutes for Portugal against Greece - are likely to start; the former replacing the veteran Rui Costa and the latter appearing as a striker alongside Pauleta.

Scolari would be satisfied with what he described as a "half-nil" victory against a Russia team, whose coach Georgi Yartsev finds himself without the central defender Roman Sharonov, suspended after his red card against Spain, and midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoi, who was ordered out of the Russian camp after his comments following Russia's 1-0 defeat by Spain. The 35-year-old reportedly criticised Yartsev for a strenuous training schedule. "Against Spain our legs weren't working and we don't have any chance to qualify now," he said.

Not that all is harmony at the Portugal base at Barroca D'Alva either. Comments made last year by Rui Costa and Luis Figo, objecting on principle to the presence of the Porto player Deco in the squad, have not been forgotten. The response of Scolari was to declare that anyone who did not like his decisions should say so to his face, and then would be welcome to leave.

Rui Costa, vying for selection with Deco, took a pragmatic stance, declaring that his rival had strengthened Portugal. In the event, it was Rui Costa, capped 90 times by his country, not Deco, who started against Greece, though by half-time the pair had been swapped. Deco has been in persuasive form for Porto, and though he did not provide the catalyst for victory on Saturday, he will surely start this time.

Meanwhile, in the earlier kick-off at the Estadio do Bessa, in Porto, Greece will be confident they can hold Russia's conquerors, Spain, and progress towards qualification. Otto Rehhagel's side eclipsed Spain in Zaragoza last year when they achieved automatic qualification for the tournament. Spain, whose coach Inaki Saez is likely to bring in Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso for Fernando Morientes and Ruben Baraja, had to face Norway in a two-legged play-off.

"The boys have realised what an opportunity they have," said the German-born Rehhagel. "They are professionals and are extremely disciplined. For the match against Spain they know we have to keep mistakes to a minimum."

On Saturday's evidence, you wouldn't entirely dismiss their chances, either. A point would probably be sufficient. Unlike the hosts. Nothing but victory will suffice, with Spain to follow on Sunday.