Portugal struggle vs Cape Verde

Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in a friendly today in a disappointing start to their World Cup preparations. Cristiano Ronaldo played 90 minutes, but simply couldn't find a breakthrough.

"We're still at the beginning, we're still getting ready," Ronaldo said. "We're not going to take this draw too badly. By the time we get to South Africa we'll be better than this."

Cape Verde, ranked 117th in the world, were the first of three African teams Portugal plan to face in exhibition matches ahead of their World Cup opener against Ivory Coast on 15 June. They meet Cameroon on 1 June and Mozambique on 8 June.

The coach, Carlos Queiroz, said he was not worried by his team's sluggish performance in the match, held at their training camp in Portugal's central highlands.

"This was a training match. We've only been together a few days and you can't expect too much," he said. "But we showed the tactical discipline and awareness which I wanted to see."