Portugal to drop those on yellow cards

Gelesenkirchen: Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said on Tuesday he would leave out all five players who had collected yellow cards in the tournament for his side's final World Cup Group D game against Mexico.

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo and defender Nuno Valente were booked in Portugal's first game against Angola.

Playmaker Deco, striker Pauleta and midfielder Costinha have marks against them from the Iran clash.

"We are going to make five substitutions, as is normal when players have yellow cards," he told a news conference.

"The five won't play, even if Mexico are winning 30-0."

Scolari hinted that Simao Sabrosa, Tiago and Armando Petit, who were in the starting lineup in Portugal's 1-0 win over Angola, would be back again to face the Mexicans on Wednesday, but said there would be no deviation from the 4-2-3-1 formation.

"I have no concerns about the substitutes, because some of these players were chosen in the first game. I have absolute confidence in all 23 players," he said.

Known as "Big Phil", Scolari has been motivating the substitutes with the prospect of making the starting 11 in the knockout stage, where the Portuguese will face either Argentina or the Netherlands.

"All I ask from the players is that they give their best on the pitch tomorrow. That way I can think about who will play in the next round," he said.

Portugal are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 after winning both their opening matches, while Mexico need to draw to ensure they make it through.

While the results have been right, the Portuguese have so far failed to dazzle on the pitch, although the coach said Portugal had "quality, confidence and condition" and were getting better all the time.

After progressing to the second round for the first time since 1966 when Portugal reached the semi-finals of the tournament but were eliminated by England, the squad had been getting pep-talks from Eusebio, Portugal's hero 40 years ago.

"Many times he has lunch or dinner with us and speaks to the players. This motivates them and will help them reach the form needed to get to the next phase," Scolari said.