Late Bruno Alves’ goal revives Portugal hopes

TIRANA, June 6 – Bruno Alves scored an injury-time goal Saturday to give Portugal a 2-1 win against Albania to revive its hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The defender jumped to connect with a deep cross from Raul Meireles Alves and head past goalkeeper Isli Hidi in the third minute of stoppage time.
Portugal had taken the lead with a Hugo Almeida header in the 27th minute after Jose Bosingwa surged forward to supply the cross.
Albania, playing its first match under new Croatian coach Josip Kuze, equalized two minutes later through Erjon Bogdani’s header from a cross by Ervin Skela.
Portugal are third in Group One with nine points, behind leaders Denmark on 16 and Hungary with 13 and their last-gasp win in Albania must be followed by victories in their four remaining matches for them to top the standings.
The group winners qualify for the finals while the best eight runners-up from the nine groups go through to a playoff.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo failed to really threaten despite playing at center forward most of the second half. He came closest in the 55th, with a free kick that was saved by Hidi.
Portugal’s forwards failed to dominate a well-organized and aggressive Albania defense. Portugal’s surprise starter Luis Boa Morte was ineffective and playmaker Deco could not initiate flowing moves.
“Albania played well and deserved a draw but that’s football – played to the last minute,” Bogdani said.
“It was bad to suffer a last-minute goal after a good play against an excellent team,” Kuze said.