Portugal's players and staff are anxious to play down their status as overriding favourites to beat Turkey in the Euro 2000 quarter-final in Amterdam on Saturday.

Portugal's assistant coach Rui Cacador said: 'We have the greatest respect for Turkey ... they are as much the favourites as us.'

Defender Rui Jorge also declared that in his opinion, Portugal's chances on Saturday were 50-50.

Few observers believe the Portuguese are anything but strong favourites to win Saturday's match in Amsterdam.

Turkey beat co-hosts Belgium 2-0 in the greatest result in their soccer history to qualify as the second-placed side in group B after Italy.

Hakan Sukur's two goals in Brussels confirmed his reputation as a striker of the highest class - he has now scored 28 goals in 55 internationals.

Portugal themselves have won over many doubters with a pair of gritty, though skilful, performances against England and Romania. And, after a Portugal B eleven took apart the Germans on Tuesday, bookmaker's odds on the team dubbed the 'Brazilians of Europe' have shortened considerably.

According to Eusebio, Portugal's greatest ever player, the current team could be the best his country has ever fielded.

Forward Sergio Conceicao scored a hat-trick against Germany in his first start of Euro 2000 but still cannot be certain of starting at the Amsterdam Arena on Saturday.

Humberto Coelho may decide to accommodate him by deploying him wide on the right with Luis Figo, the team's talisman and overriding creative force, given a more roving role.

Portugal have only one injury doubt. Defender Secretario is fighting a shoulder problem..

Turkey reduced their player pool to 21 after sending Rangers midfielder Tugay home for showing a 'lack of respect to the coach' after he was substituted against Belgium.

They have made strong progress in the tournament, scoring against Italy - their first ever goal in a championship finals - and then drew against Sweden in a turgid game before their surprise victory over Belgium.

Their performances and that of Galatasaray in winning the UEFA Cup final are clear signs that Turkish soccer has improved markedly since the days when England destroyed them 8-0 in 1985..

They are a technically gifted team, capable of unsettling the best defences with swift counter-attacks and Hakan Sukur's powerful finishing. Portuguese defender Dimas said: 'They have a team like ours, that has been together for the last four years. I'm sure it will be a great match.'