http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/news/kind=4/newsid=552168.html （有访问影片） Veloso happy to silence doubters Sunday 17 June 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Miguel Veloso said Portugal had finally silenced their critics after a commanding 4-0 victory against Israel at the Euroborg on Saturday night. Olympic goal Manuel Fernandes, Ricardo Vaz Te, Miguel Veloso and Nani all scored but Portugal's first victory in the tournament came too late to earn a semi-final place. By finishing third in Group A, though, Portugal did give themselves the chance of claiming a place at next summer's Olympic Games. It also restored some pride after Jose Couceiro's side had failed to hit top gear against both Belgium and the Netherlands. Man of the match "We have answered all those who criticised us," said Miguel Veloso, who scored his second goal of the competition with another curling long-range free-kick. The Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder has been perhaps the most consistent performer in Couceiro's side, but he was taking little pleasure in his personal achievements as he collected the Carlsberg Man of the Match award. Improvement "I would have preferred to go to the semi-finals," he told uefa.com. "I am honored to win this trophy and I would also like to thank my team-mates. We all did a great job tonight. We hadn't played much together recently and needed some time. We have been getting better and better and if we continue, we will improve even more." 'Disappointed' That, though, will depend on England. Should Stuart Pearce's side defeat Serbia tonight to qualify for the last four, Portugal will play-off next Thursday in Nijmegen against either Italy or the Czech Republic for a place at the 2008 Olympics. "We will be watching the game and hoping England win," the 21-year-old said. "We are disappointed, but if there is a play-off we will regroup for that target - it is a big one." 'Good tournament' Either way, Miguel Veloso can look back on this season with pride. He has become a regular for Sporting and forced himself into national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans for the senior international team. His performances here have merely added to a burgeoning reputation. "Yes, it's been a good tournament for me," he said - something he hopes to confirm next Thursday if England give him the chance. --

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