Alves eases tension for coach Queiroz

DECO admitted Portugal rode their luck as they secured a narrow advantage over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Lisbon.

Porto defender Bruno Alves scored the only goal of the game after 31 minutes when he headed in a cross from Nani.

Carlos Queiroz’s side were unable, however, to score a second goal to give them some breathing space ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Zenica and could have even conceded an equaliser in the closing minutes.

With a minute remaining striker Edin Dzeko headed against the crossbar with substitute Zlatan Muslimovic also rattling the woodwork from the rebound.

“We had some luck but even this advantage is not decisive. The important thing was not conceding,” Deco, the Portugal winger, said.

“It was a difficult game, but overall we were better and controlled the game. In Zenica if we score, everything will be easier, but we must be very intelligent and we must hold on to the ball.”

Queiroz said afterwards: “Now we have to take time to relax and begin preparing for the second game. But as we saw, Bosnia has a lot of quality and we have to go there at full capacity and play with our heart and minds.”