Soccer -- and in their World Cup qualifying match in Cyprus, a weakened Portuguese team only narrowly beat an almost equally debilitated home side.

SYNOPSIS: Portugal -- kicking off in the second half, playing left to right in the white socks -- appeared without eight of the team which beat Denmark one-nil in their earlier World Cup qualifier. Cyprus were almost in the same position, having lost four players who were with the team against Greece because their clubs could not release team. With Portugal taking an early one-goal lead through Fernando Shalana, the visitors kept up a barrage of attacks on the home side goal.

But the Portuguese onslaught was sometimes too aggressive. A foul against a Cypriot player in the Portuguese penalty area gave Cyprus a chance -- and AEL club captain Stavros Stylianou made sure of the equaliser.

But nevertheless, Portugal continued their relentless drive against the Cypriot net. And their efforts were rewarded when Damagnini Nene gave them the winning goal to put the final score at two-one.