Portugal's under-16 national team were knocked out of the Football Federations Cup by Ukraine on penalties. The quarter-final match, played on Wednesday at the Emirhan Sport Center in Antalya, Turkey, ended 0-0 after 80 minutes and was decided by a shootout, which Ukraine won 5-4.
Vítor Gazimba, the coach of the Portuguese side, confirmed their exit from the tournament. "The team of the Quinas does not, however, leave Turkey," he said, referring to the upcoming fifth-place playoff match. Portugal, the defending champions, could not find a goal in regular time despite having the best chance of the match through captain Tiago Portugal.
In the penalty shootout, Luís Gonçalves missed Portugal's first attempt. Ukraine converted all five of their spot-kicks, while Portugal scored four, confirming their elimination. Gazimba's team had been unbeaten in regular time prior to this match, but Ukrainian precision from the spot proved decisive.
The focus for Portugal's senior national team now turns to preparing for their next challenge, a home friendly against Denmark on 14 November. Roberto Martínez's side heads into that match in excellent form, having won their last four games. The most recent was a 2-1 victory over Norway on 4 October, with goals from João Cancelo and Gonçalo Ramos. That win followed a 4-2 triumph in Denmark on 1 October, where Ramos and Cancelo were also on the scoresheet, and a 2-1 win in Norway on 27 September. The positive run began with a 1-0 victory over Wales on 24 September. For the U16s, their campaign in Turkey continues with the aim of finishing in fifth place, a consolation after their bitter penalty shootout exit.
This story first appeared at SAPO
