We will win for Costa - Figo

Portugal captain Luis Figo has promised his side will beat both Andorra and Cyprus and then dedicate the victories to team-mate Manuel Rui Costa.

The Portuguese squad all met yesterday as they look to prepare for the vital World Cup qualifying games, but they will have to do without Rui Costa who dislocated his right elbow whilst playing for AC Milan against Brescia on Sunday afternoon.

But Figo feels Portugal have the squad to cope and they will win the games in tribute to their influential team-mate.

He said: "He (Costa) is one of a kind. However, we are confident of a positive performance because we have so many valid options."

"We will dedicate the triumph to Rui and to all the Portuguese."

National coach António Oliveira also emphasized his disappointment at losing such a charismatic footballer who he described as "a natural born star".

Meanwhile former Fiorentina team-mate Nuno Gomes expressed anguish for Costa after it was announced that he would be out of action for the next six weeks.

He said: "It was cruel because he did it on his debut for Milan and now he will lose forty days of competition."