Big Phil looks to young guns to topple Irish

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is under no illusions about the task facing the beaten Euro 2004 finalists Portugal in tonight’s friendly at Lansdowne Road.

'Big Phil' was an interested observer when Ireland record a deserved scoreless draw against his native Brazil at the same venue 12 months ago. "They caused Brazil a lot of problems and can do the same against us. The Irish are strong and always apply pressure. Technically they are improving all the time," said Scolari.

Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Fernando Couto may have retired from the international scene. But the new Portuguese 'Boys-Of-War' will be very much in evidence in front of a 43,000 sell out at Lansdowne.