World Cup Qualifier: Ronaldo urges fans to make life difficult for giant-killers North Macedonia

World Cup Qualifier: Ronaldo urges fans to make life difficult for giant-killers North Macedonia

by Joseph Anthony
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Portugal host giant-killers North Macedonia in a playoff tie that will secure the winners a place in this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged local fans to make their presence felt at Portoโ€™s Dragao stadium on Tuesday when Portugal host giant-killers North Macedonia in a playoff tie that will secure the winners a place in this yearโ€™s World Cup finals in Qatar.

North Macedonia created a huge shock last week when they eliminated Italy, the winners of four World Cup titles, from the running to secure a place in the 32-team tournament.
Hence the Portugal talisman has called on supporters to ensure they do not suffer the same fate.
โ€œI urge the fans: I want hell breaking loose at Dragao,โ€ Ronaldo told a news conference on Monday.
โ€œI went to bed last night thinking that I want the stadium to shut down the music for our national anthem and let the fans sing it a cappella to show our passion, our strength and union around the objective of reaching the World Cup.
โ€œIf our fans show up the way they can, we will win on Tuesday.โ€
The 37-year-old Manchester United striker said that he and his team mates were โ€œvery confidentโ€ about taking on the North Macedonians, who shocked Italy 1-0 in their playoff semi-final.
โ€œIt will be the game of our lives too,โ€ said the Portugal captain, who dismissed suggestions that they were facing โ€œan easier opponentโ€ instead of the highly anticipated showdown between the last two European champions.
โ€œThe pressure is the same regardless. The team is ready, I donโ€™t care against who we play. If Portugal play at our highest level, we can win against any opponent in the world. So thatโ€™s why I insist with my call to the fans: we need your full support on Tuesday. If you are with us, we will win the game.โ€
Ronaldo was, however, irritated when asked if Qatar would be his last World Cup if Portugal qualified for the finals.
โ€œIโ€™m tired of those questions. Iโ€™m the one who decides my future,โ€ an visibly angry Ronaldo said.
โ€œIf I want to keep playing, I will. If I want to stop, I will stop. Iโ€™m the one who is in charge of those decisions. Thatโ€™s it.โ€
REUTERS

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