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Valente included in Portugal squad [Thu Aug 25th, 2005]
Lisbon (Reuters) - Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named Porto defender Nuno Valente in his squad for World Cup Group Three qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Russia.
Valente has been on Porto's bench this season and has not featured in Portugal's last three internationals.
"Since I've been here, two and a half years, he's always been with us," Scolari, who steered Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002, told a news conference.
Scolari also called up midfielders Costinha and Maniche, both with Dynamo Moscow, along with Barcelona playmaker Deco and forward Simao Sabrosa of Benfica.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is included after he was called up and then released before Portugal's 2-0 victory over Egypt in a friendly on August 17.
Portugal are top of Group Three with 20 points from eight games. They host Luxembourg in Faro on September 3 before travelling to Moscow four days later.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting), Quim Silva (Benfica).
Defenders: Alex (VfL Wolfsburg), Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho (both Chelsea), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo La Coruna), Nuno Valente (Porto), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart), Marco Caneira (Valencia).
Midfielders: Costinha and Maniche (both Dynamo Moscow), Armando Petit (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Porto), Pauleta (Paris St Germain).
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