U-21: Benfica dominates Rui Jorge's call-up

Benfica is the most represented club in the call-up divulgated by Rui Jorge, the U-21 head coach, for the matches against Liechtenstein and Switzerland, for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

The national coach called 23 players – a list where are six Benfica’s players, Francisco Ferreira, Pedro Amaral, João Félix, João Carvalho, Heriberto Tavares and Diogo Gonçalves – for two matches which can take Portugal to the top of the Group 8.

Romania leads the group with 12 points in six matches. Bosnia (9 points/5 matches), Portugal (7 points/4 matches) Wales (7 points/5 matches), Switzerland (7 points/6 matches) and Liechtenstein (0 points/4 matches).

Portugal faces Liechtenstein, on March 23^rd, at 5:45 pm, in Tondela, and Switzerland, on the 27^th, at 4:00 pm, in Neuchatel.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Joel Pereira (Manchester United), André Ferreira (Leixões) and João Virgínia (Arsenal);

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (FC Porto), Fernando Fonseca (Estoril), Ivanildo Fernandes (Sporting), Jorge Fernandes (Tondela), Francisco Ferreira (Benfica), Yuri Ribeiro (Rio Ave) and Pedro Amaral (Benfica);

Midfielders: Stephen Eustáquio (Chaves), Pedro Rodrigues (Estoril), João Félix (Benfica), Xadas (Braga), João Carvalho (Benfica), Rafael Barbosa (Sporting), André Horta (Braga) and Pedro Delgado (Sporting);

Forwards: Gil Dias (Fiorentina), Heriberto Tavares (Benfica), Diogo Gonçalves (Benfica), Rafael Leão (Sporting) and Ronaldo Tavares (Sporting).

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica