Oliveira's job safe, whatever happens

Antonio Oliveira's job isn't on the line, even if Portugal lose against South Korea and they are knocked out of the World Cup, the country's top soccer official said.

Portuguese soccer federation chief Gilberto Madail said that Oliveira's contract is valid until after the 2004 European championships, which will be hosted by Portugal, and would not be altered.

"We haven't lost confidence in him," Madail said of Oliveira.

Oliveira, who turned 50 this week, took over two years ago and guided Portugal through their undefeated World Cup qualifying campaign.

In a previous stint as national coach, between 1994-96, he led the side to the quarterfinals of Euro 96.

He has recorded the most wins for a Portuguese national coach (25) and the most games in charge (41).

"Our great aim was to reach the World Cup and we achieved that," Madail said.

"Obviously, people want us to do well here, but that's icing on the cake."

However, Madail said he wouldn't hold Oliveira to his contract if the coach received an attractive offer from elsewhere.

"We have never stopped a coach from leaving if he wanted to," Madail said.