News Sports Soccer World Cup qualifiers: Portugal patches up defense

World Cup qualifiers: Portugal patches up defense

Lisbon, Portugal: Andre Almeida and Cedric Soares received their first call-ups for Portugal on Friday as coach Paulo Bento seeks to plug defensive gaps for the team's last two must-win World Cup qualifiers.Right back Joao

Portugal:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla).

Defenders: Cedric Soares (Sporting), Andre Almeida (Benfica), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Luis Neto (Zenit St. Petersburg), Antunes (Malaga), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Josue Pesqueira (FC Porto), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Ruben Micael (Braga), Andre Martins (Sporting).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St. Petersburg), Nani (Manchester United), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Helder Postiga (Sevilla), Nelson Oliveira (Rennes), Varela (FC Porto), Eder (Braga).