PSNL Fans pick Ronaldo as Player of the Year

PSNL fans have spoken and for the second year in a row have selected Cristiano Ronaldo as PSNL's Portuguese Player of the Year with 63% of the vote. The Real Madrid winger scored twenty-six goals in league play in his first season for the club and also chipped in seven Champions League goals this campaign. Man United's Nani finished second in the voting with 18%, the flashy winger came on strong in the second half and scored three goals for the Reds this season while adding two in the Champions League.

Stay tuned as PSNL getting ready to unveil their awards for the 2009-10 soccer season.

Malaga are interested in Benfica's Quim

Spanish club Malaga are said to be interested in Benfica's starting keeper Quim. The Portuguese goaltender is out of contract with Benfica and free to negotiate with any club for a contract. Malaga are hoping to have the situation resolved within a few weeks. Benfica in the meantime are looking into obtaining a new number one keeper for next season.

Portugal embaress themselves in friendly

The World Cup is weeks away and Portugal kicked off their friendly schedule with a stinkier in Covilha against African minnows Cape Verde. The hosts dominated most of the game as expected but lacked that finishing touch with Ronaldo leading the way in guilt of this. Portugal who have two more friendlies before the start of the World Cup, one with Cameroon on June 1st and the other with Mozambique on June 8th will need to find the back of the net if they hope to move forward in South Africa.

PSNL Fans VOTE for Portuguese Player of the Year

Its' that time of year again where we ask the fans of Portuguese Soccer News Links to vote for who they feel was the Portuguese Player of the Year for the 2009/10 season from around the world. We took it to the fans last season and the renounding choice was Cristiano Ronaldo who at the time was part of Manchester United, who will be the winner this season? You tell us what you think.

CLICK HERE to VOTE

Benfica release roster for North American tour

Benfica have released their roster for their upcoming North American tour through Canada and the USA. Benfica will take on New England Revolution in Massachusetts on May 19/10 and then Greek squad Panathinaikos in Toronto on May 23/10.

Goalies- Moreia and Julio Cesar

Defenders- Luis Filipe, David Luiz, Sidnei, Fabio Faria and Cesar Peixoto

Midfielders- Airton, Javi Garcia, Pablo Aimar, Ruben Amorim, Felipe Menezes, David Simao and Leandro Pimenta

Forwards- Nuno Gomes, Kardec, Weldon, Eder Luis and Javier Saviola

Braga looks to pick up Paulo Jorge

Braga have made a quick off season offer, looking to pick up 29 year old right back Paulo Jorge on a free transfer. Jorge has played the last two seasons for Madeira club Maritimo and has also been a member of Malaga, Benfica, Boavista and Maia over the years. Braga is looking to have Jorge sign a two year contract.

Benfica win Portuguese Title for first time in five years

Benfica have claimed their 32nd Portuguese League title and their first in five years snapping Porto's four year run with a 2-1 victory over Rio Ave. The Eagles have the guaranteed spot in the Champions League next season. Benfica struck early in this encounter when Oscar Cardozo chipped in a scramble in front of the Rio Ave net at the 3rd minute mark. Rio Ave then gave Benfica fans a scare as they brought the game to even when Ricardo Chaves headed in a a ball at the 71st minute but Cardozo put the home side ahead for good just seven minutes later when he was in the right spot for a rebound and tapped the ball past the Rio Ave keeper for his 26th goal of the season winning the Portuguese Golden Boot for the season. Benfica did not look back again and with second place Braga drawing 1-1 with Nacional, Benfica finished atop Portugal by five points.

In other action Maritimo claimed the last Europa League spot with a 2-1 win over Guimaraes as Kleber scored both goals with Valdimoro scoring for Guimaraes. Academica's Bruno Amaro scored to give them a 1-0 win over Naval. Pacos and Olhanense played to a 2-2 draw with Djalmir with the brace for Olhanense and Torress and Candeias for Pacos.

PSNL takes a crack at Portugal 23 man roster

Portugal have released their list of 50 potential players that could crack the Portuguese 23 man roster for the World Cup in South Africa. The contest kicks off June 11, 2010 and we here at PSNL have sat down and decided to take a crack at who we think should be on Portugal's squad for the event. There are simple selections that should be included on the squad but when you get down to the final four to five spots an intense debate did break out as is the norm with many fans, in the end coach Carlos Quieroz will have the final say but we have come to our conclusion in case he needs any help and here it is.

Portugal World Cup 2010 Roster:

Goalkeepers- Eduardo (Braga), Quim (Benfica), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis)

Defense- Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Rolando (FC Porto), Miguel (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid)

Midfielders- Deco (Chelsea), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Duda (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Pedro Mendes (Sporting)

Forwards- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Nani (Man United), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nuno Assis (Guimaraes), Makukula (Kayserispor)

We know this list may already have some people flying off the handle as some notable names have been omitted from the list but here is our breakdown of the close choices and why we went this way.

Goalkeepers- Quim has played great for Benfica this season and the veteran deserves a spot on the club while Fernandes has 5 clean sheets in just 10 games for middle of the pack Iraklis. Hilario and Beto just have not seen much action this season to be counted and Rui Patricio is prone to the odd bad goal. Ask yourself with all feelings aside who would you want to see in net if Eduardo went down with an injury Quim or Fernandes? or Beto, Hilario or Patricio?

Defense- Pepe was a tough choice to make the list as he has been out so long with injury and his game shape could be questioned but he is a game breaker and got the nod over Ricardo Costa. Miguel's world stage experience got the nod over Joao Pereira but this was by far the hardest choice of the squad.

Midfield- One of Portugal's weaker positions is left back and we should see Quieroz use Duda and possibly Fabio Coentrao in the role. We gave Moutinho the slight nod over Danny with some heated debate and placed Coentrao over Veloso as the youngster has just played better this season then his crosstown rival and is not so opposed to playing the left back role.

Forwards- Makukula on the squad is a no brainer in many ways since Varela injury, he leads a tough Turkish league in scoring with 20 goals more then any other striker on the Portuguese list. Nuno Assis has been Guimaraes best player and Portugal needs another option from the attacking wing he was actually an easy pick for us.

There it is our Portugal squad for World Cup 2010, we do want to give a special mention to some potential future Portugal national players in Pele (Vallodolid), Ruben Amorim (Benfica) and Vieirinha (PAOK) who we discussed and felt that their time is not yet and as their growth continues they should be part of future squads with Pele the teams potential defensive midfield starter. Let us know what you think of our choices in the comments section or tell us what your squad would be.

Carlos Queiroz release 50 player list for World Cup squad

Portuguese National coach Carlos Quieroz released earlier today a list of 50 players who he is looking towards as he narrows his selection for the World Cup in South Africa to 23 players.

Players:

Atletico Madrid- Simao, Tiago
Benfica- Carlos Martins, Cesar Peixoto, Fabio Coentrao, Nuno Gomes, Quim, Ruben Amorim
Braga- Eduardo, Hugo Viana
Chelsea- Deco, Hilario, Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira
Deportivo- Ze Castro
Inter Milan- Ricardo Quaresma
Cologne- Maniche, Petit
FC Porto- Bruno Alves, Beto, Raul Meireles, Rolando, Miguel Lopes
Guimaraes- Nuno Assis
Iraklis- Daniel Fernandes
Kayserispor- Makukula
Lille- Ricardo Costa
Malaga- Duda
Man United- Nani
PAOK- Edinho, Vieirinha
Real Madrid- Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe
Sporting- Joao Moutinho, Djalo, Carrico, Veloso, Pedro Mendes, Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Tonel
Toulouse- Paulo Machado
Valencia- Miguel
Valladolid- Pele, Sereno
Werder Bremen- Hugo Almeida
Zaragoza- Eliseu
Zenit- Danny, Fernando Meira

Porto give Braga hope with a win over Benfica

FC Porto took the Classico with a 3-1 victory even though the team went down a man early in the second half. Porto opened the scoring when Bruno Alves headed the ball past Quim at the 42nd minute mark of the first half to send the home side to the half with a league. Porto's Fucile received his second yellow of the game at the 51st minute mark and Benfica took advantage bringing the game even six minutes later as Luisao's hard work in front of the net had him beat Beto with a low shot. Porto did not let the score stand even for much time as two minutes later Farias slide at the ball and it went past Benfica's keeper to regain Porto's lead. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus brought in the offense while his counterpart Ferreira substituted in the defense to hold the fort and it was a Porto counter attack that saw Belluschi send a rocket into the top corner to cement the Dragons victory over Benfica. Braga defeated Pacos Ferreira 1-0 when a blunder by the Pacos keeper in the second half saw him drop the ball right onto the feet of Braga's Meyong who scored into an empty net. The final week of the season will be played next weekend and it will see Benfica host Rio Ave without the services of Angel Di Maria or Fabio Coentrao due to yellow cards while Braga will travel to the Madeira to take on Nacional. Benfica sit atop the Portuguese League three points ahead of Braga who will need to win their game in Madeira and hope that Rio Ave can defeat Benfica at the Luz if they are to take the crown.

In other action, Naval defeated Sporting 1-0 when Fabio Junior scored in the second half. Martimo doubled Setubal 2-0 on goals from Souza and Kleber. Olhanense's Djalmir scored the only marker to defeat Leixoes 1-0 confirming Leixoes demotion next season. Belenenses who will join Leixoes in the Liga De Honra won over Leiria 5-2. Lima, Pedro, Miguelito, Mustafa and Pires scored for Belenenses while Cassio and Soares replied for Leiria. Rio Ave and Guimaraes played to scoreless draw and Academica on markers from Cabral and brace from Fidalgo drew with Nacional who got markers from Diego, Edgar and Aurelio, 3-3.

Benfica and FC Porto get ready to clash

Benfica head to the Dragao today to take on hosts FC Porto looking to clinch the Portuguese title against the current Champions. Benfica require just one point to clinch the the title and would like nothing more then to win the title in the Classico encounter. The Portuguese League will have all their games played today at the same time 20:15 WEST. Braga hope that Porto will be able to give them a boast as they host Pacos Ferreira and need to win both their last games and have Benfica lose their final two games to win their first Portuguese crown.

Last 5 Matchups at the Dragao:

2008/09 Draw 1-1
2007/08 Porto win 2-0
2006/07 Porto win 3-2
2005/06 Benfica win 2-0
2004/05 Draw 1-1