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After having trained behind closed doors a few times, the Red Devils have left for Portugal for Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifying game against Portugal. PSV Belgian midfielder <L CODE="C01">Timmy Simons</L> has also boarded the plane, although he serves a one-match suspension. “I think I will be more nervous than I would have been on the pitch.”
Simons, who is captain of the national team, had decided to join his team mates in order to keep them alert. He is quoted in Het Laatste Nieuws, a Belgian newspaper. “I think I will be more nervous having to watch the game from the stands than I would have been on the pitch. This is by no means a facility trip. I could have had three days off, but I think I can help my team mates. I have not made the trip to create a nice atmosphere; I rather want to keep the players alert. After all, we face Portugal, who are formidable opponents.”
Simons is trying to do his bit and joins the players on the training pitch. “I attempt to give the young players tactical instructions at the training sessions. We need to pull off a stunning result. It will be a huge task, but one, I feel, we are capable of achieving.”
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