Portugal's Postiga wants Van Basten autograph

MARIENFELD, Germany, June 22 (Reuters) Portuguese striker Helder Postiga said he wanted Dutch coach Marco van Basten's autograph after the two meet on Sunday, but he wanted to beat the Netherlands even more.

''Van Basten was my idol as a player,'' Postiga told a news conference today.

''Maybe I'll get his autograph after the game.'' Using a favourite expression of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Postiga said the second round clash in Nuremburg would be a ''do or die'' game.

''The Netherlands are a big team and yesterday (against Argentina) they showed off their excellent players. The game is going to be very difficult for us.'' Defender Paulo Ferreira, who if he plays will be up against Chelsea team mate Arjen Robben, said facing the Dutch winger would be no easy task.

''I've known Robben for two years, I work with him every day, he is a very complicated player and it will be difficult to mark him,'' said Ferreira, who came on as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Mexico yesterday.

''The Netherlands are a difficult team, a very good team. I have respect for him (Robben) and the team but we want to go through,'' he added.

In their nine previous meetings, Portugal have won five and drawn three matches, the last one being in the semi-final of Euro 2004 which Portugal won 2-1.

Asked about whether the Dutch win in 1991 would be the first and last time the Netherlands triumphed over the Portuguese, Ferreira said: ''I hope so.'' Reuters DH DB2121