Sep 01 - GFA In ‘Fantastic Spirit’ Ahead Of Portugal Friendly
By Mark Viales in Porto
The Gibraltar FA are in ‘fantastic spirit’ as they gear up for tonight’s friendly against the European Champions Portugal at the Estadio do Bessa in Porto, Portugal, at 8.45pm.
The historic fixture, on a par with playing the World Champions Germany during Gibraltar’s debut Euro qualifying campaign, requires no extra motivation from the players.
Jeff Wood, Gibraltar head coach, said it was brilliant for Team 54 to have a game of this caliber as preparations for his side’s first World Cup qualifying match against Greece next Tuesday.
“We have fantastic spirit at the moment and I think that everyone is looking forward to it. It is very early in the season for us and a lot of our (local) clubs have only just gone back to preseason training because the league will not start until the end of September,” he said in a buoyant mood.
“But it’s great to have them all back and see them on the training pitch. The atmosphere around the place is absolutely brilliant.”
Wood gave nothing away when asked how he intended to contain the recently crowned European champions, stating that it was a ‘secret’, but added that he was looking to combine good performances and results.
“We want to put the two things together like we always say, but it is really early for us in the season.
We have had to work very hard because of the Gibraltar Music Festival happening at the same time at the (Victoria) Stadium. But the players have worked really hard over the last three days since we got together and everybody is ready for the game today.”
Gibraltar’s talisman Lee Casciaro will be unavailable for the match as he and his wife are due their first child and will be a huge miss for the squad.
“Lee is a very important player for us. He is a tremendous player but also a tremendous character to have around the place. I think a lot of players look up to him for what he has achieved at club and international level but circumstances dictate that he cannot be with us at the moment, but we will have to see what happens in the next few days.”
Aaron Payas, Gibraltar’s general in midfield, wanted a full Portuguese squad to add to the impressive list of top players he and his teammates have already faced, but is well aware of the magnitude of the opposition despite no Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Our preference as players, maybe not for Jeff, was for Portugal to have their full team, so that we could play against the likes of Ronaldo and Renato Sanchez, but nevertheless we are facing a huge task. We are facing amazing players. It still seems a bit surreal at the moment. They won the Euros just a couple of weeks ago, so this is what dreams are made of. We wanted to come out to a full stadium against a top nation and actually be able to compete on the same turf. There is no need for any extra motivation for us.”
The role of senior players in these David versus Goliath clashes is a vital cog to the wheel of the Rock’s football development and Payas agreed that they all step up to assist the youngsters in the selection.
“It is crucial, not only in these matches, but in everything. Acting as a role model and pushing your own boundaries in order to inspire youngsters is a crucial aspect of the role of senior players like myself. It is part of the reason why we form the main bulk of our team, pushing ourselves and making most of the opportunity. We hope that we can drag the younger players with us and teach them everything that we can so that they can eventually take the reins.”
Steven Gonzalez, Gibraltar Communications Manager, said that Gibraltar’s involvement in friendlies of this magnitude was a sign of respect that other associations, not just in UEFA but around the world, have for the Gibraltar FA.
“I think it is right to publicly say thank you to the Portuguese FA and everyone in Portugal for the reception we have received. It has been absolutely brilliant and hopefully Jeff and the guys can put in a good performance today,” he said.
On the support from traveling fans and those at home, Wood was confident that the ‘fantastic support’ would be replicated in Porto this evening.
“They are very passionate and they want us to win and they have always been behind us regardless of the scoreline. We are just very grateful to have them here,” he said.
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