Francisco Conceição says Portugal must play with 'knife between teeth' against Uzbekistan after opening draw

Demand for immediate reaction

Portugal's Francisco Conceição fronted the media in Palm Beach two days before the Group K meeting with Uzbekistan, still smarting from the opening draw against DR Congo. He made it plain that the team had strayed from the intended approach and that another slip was not an option.

“In a World Cup the error has to be minimal. We didn't win the first game and now we have the knife between our teeth because we have to win the next one. With the attitude from the first match and better quality I think we can win.”

The 23-year-old Juventus attacker, who came on at half-time against Congo, admitted the squad felt the setback deeply. He stressed that the players are accustomed to high pressure from their clubs and must show their real level immediately.

The Ronaldo question

Conceição was asked whether there is an obligation to feed the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo. He pushed back on the idea while praising the captain's hunger at age 41.

“There is nobody like him with the quality to score goals, but we don't have that obligation to pass him the ball. I pass to whoever I think is better positioned in that moment. We do everything on instinct, in milliseconds.”

He added that if Ronaldo still trains with the hunger of a debutant, the younger players must show even greater desire. He described the captain as an example of leadership and finishing.

Family and controversy

Reporters raised the possibility of Conceição's father, Sérgio Conceição, being linked to the national team coaching role. The winger refused to engage, saying he has full respect for the current staff and that discussing it would be disrespectful. He also declined to comment on FC Porto president André Villas-Boas' suggestion that the squad should spend less time at the beach. "That is his opinion, it is not for me to comment on it," he said.

Tactical test against Uzbekistan

Conceição expects Uzbekistan, coached by Italian Fabio Cannavaro, to sit deep with a back five and make defensive organisation the priority. He said Portugal have been working on arriving in the box with more bodies and creating chances from wide positions.

“It's a team with a line of five, coached by a manager I know. They make the defensive side their strongest link. It is up to us to create, shoot and do everything possible to destabilise their defence.”

Portugal meet Uzbekistan on Tuesday at NRG Stadium in Houston, with kick-off at 18:00 local time. A win would put qualification back in their hands before facing Colombia in the final group match.