Scolari sees difficulties in friendly with Paraguay

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led his native Brazil from the doldrums to a record fifth World Cup victory last June, said he expects an upcoming friendly against Paraguay will be his most difficult match since he took over the Portuguese side in January.

"I am not interested in playing only against European adversaries," he told reporters.

"I want to diversify, play with teams with different methods. The match with Paraguay will be the most difficult of all."

Scolari warned the Paraguay national side, which Portugal will face on June 6 in the northern city of Braga, was well-structured and played well as a team.

As host nation, Portugal automatically qualifies for the 2004 European championships and are playing a series of exhibition games to prepare for the tournament.

Scolari suffered a 1-0 defeat to Italy in his first game in charge of Portugal in February.

But the squad appears to be revitalised since a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over current world champions Brazil in a friendly in Porto in March.

Portugal followed up that win with a 1-0 success over Macedonia in Switzerland last month and a 1-1 draw against Holland at Eindhoven on April 30.

Portugal will follow up its match with Paraguay with a friendly against Bolivia on June 10.