Estonian eyes 100

Portuguese youths stepping in for 'golden generation'

Valente out LISBON (Reuters) - Defender Nuno Valente will miss Portugal's World Cup qualifier against Estonia because of a knee injury, a soccer federation spokesman said on Monday. The Porto player injured his left knee during Portugal's 2-0 opening qualifier against Latvia on Saturday, the spokesman said. Valente will need a few days to recover, the spokesman said. He will be replaced by Sporting's Rui Jorge. Portugal host Estonia in Leiria, Portugal, on Wednesday. They also face Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Russia in their Group Three campaign.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Life after Luis Figo isn't so bad after all.

Manchester United's teenage winger Cristiano Ronaldo's goal and assist in a 2-0 win in Latvia last weekend dispelled gloom over the retirement of the Real Madrid midfielder and has lifted Portugal's spirits for its next World Cup qualifier against visitor Estonia on Wednesday.

The departure of Figo and AC Milan's Rui Costa, and the absence through injury of Lazio's 35-year-old defender Fernando Couto, have turned Portugal's qualifying campaign into the start of a new era.

Those three players formed the backbone of the so-called "golden generation," and between them racked up 314 caps.

Ronaldo is stepping into Figo's shoes; Brazilian-born playmaker Deco is filling in for Costa; and Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho is taking over Couto's mantle.

An all-round strong performance against Latvia showed Portugal has the depth of talent to keep its momentum after finishing runner-up at the European Championship it hosted.

"We're moving into a new phase and we have to show trust in the players who are coming into the team," Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

Scolari is another trump card for the Portuguese, who are aiming to reach their fourth World Cup finals. The coach, who has a 13-5-6 record with Portugal, led Brazil to its fifth World Cup triumph two years ago.

Ronaldo was the man of the match in Riga, his 14th appearance for his country, despite his club's concerns that he was tired after playing at Euro 2004 and the Olympic Games.

Other good news was that Pedro Pauleta, who with 63 caps has been appointed team captain, has rediscovered his form, hitting the target in the second half off Ronaldo's cross. Pauleta went through Euro 2004 without scoring.

"Everyone knows the Euro campaign went badly for me ... so this goal will do me good," the Paris Saint-Germain striker said.

Pauleta's firepower will be crucial against Estonia as Scolari expects the visitor to play defensively.

"Obviously they'll be focussed on defense, getting lots of players behind the ball to stifle our attacking play," the coach said.

The only injury worry for Portugal is FC Porto left-back Nuno Valente, who twisted his left knee against Latvia. Sporting Lisbon defender Rui Jorge is on standby for the match in Leiria.

Estonia has taken a maximum six points from its Group 3 qualifiers so far, beating Luxembourg 4-0 and edging Liechtenstein 2-1.

The Portuguese have identified four dangermen in the Estonian side: Sunderland goalie Mart Poom, Copenhagen left-back Urmas Rooba, midfielder Kristen Viikmae, and Torpedo Moscow striker Andres Oper.

Estonian keeper Poom latest to join 100 Club

TALLINN (Reuters) -- Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom will join the select group of players who have won 100 caps on Wednesday and believes his country could reach a major tournament for the first time.

Poom will make his landmark 100th appearance for Estonia in their World Cup Group Three qualifier against Portugal, the country where efforts of other emerging countries at Euro 2004 persuaded him that he could fulfil his dream of playing at a World Cup or European Championship.

In an interview with Reuters, Poom said: "There is still a long way to go before we reach the finals of a major tournament but we have to look forward positively and we must be encouraged by Latvia and Greece.

"Like Estonia, our neighbours Latvia is also a young country but they showed what can be achieved by reaching the finals of Euro 2004 and Greece emphasised anything is possible by winning the competition despite being big outsiders.

"If we put lots of hard work in, believe in ourselves and also enjoy a bit of luck we could do something. We have a lot of catching up to do but we have to aim high. We are improving but we must move forward step by step.

"It has always been my dream to play in a major tournament. I certainly have the willingness and desire to do that and I want to achieve it more than ever. It would be unbelievable to do it."

Estonia currently lead their World Cup qualifying group and visit Portugal seeking to protect a perfect record with two wins out of two although Poom is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead.

"It's a very tough group and Portugal have a lot of great young players and so they will be the big favourites," Poom added.

"Latvia and Russia are also in our group which adds extra spice because they're our neighbours but it's very encouraging that we've made a good start to the campaign."

NEED MORE

He added: "The problems we have in Estonia are a lack of facilities. There are not enough training facilities which is sad because more and more children want to play football.

"The facilities have not gone hand in hand with the rising interest in the sport and we still need more qualified coaches although that situation is improving.

"The colder climate is also a big factor because Estonia is not like England where you can play football all year round."

Poom, 32, who stands 6ft 4in (1.95 metres), started his career with Flora Tallinn and after a spell in Switzerland with FC Wil had a brief period at Portsmouth before moving to Derby County.

After five years and 166 league and cup appearances there he joined Sunderland for 2.5 million pounds in November 2002.

Last year he even scored a last minute equaliser for Sunderland -- against his old club Derby -- with a header from a corner.

He won't forget that, or Estonia's infamous non-match against Scotland during the 1998 World Cup qualifiers when Estonia failed to turn up for the match in Tallinn.

Scotland took the field and the match was abandoned straight after kick-off because there was no opposition.

"We then drew 0-0 in the re-arranged game in Monaco against a very strong Scottish side that included Duncan Ferguson.

"I had one of my best ever games and was watched by the former Derby manager, Jim Smith, who promptly signed me up. That was a big step-up for me and coming to England really helped my game develop, especially playing the premier league because it's high pressure.

The pressure will be back on in Leiria on Wednesday when Estonia look for a shock win over the Portuguese. If that were to happen, Poom and Estonia could really start to dream of a place in the World Cup finals.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.