Carvalho ignores Czech mate

Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho has vowed his team will concentrate solely on their own game rather than worry about the opposition as they look to secure a Euro 2008 quarter-final spot with victory over Czech Republic on Wednesday night.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side triumphed 2-0 over Turkey in their opener to lead Group A on goal difference from the Czechs, who earlier on Saturday edged co-hosts Switzerland 1-0.

Carvalho said: "It was very important to start well but we want to prove again that we are a very good team. We have to think (only) of ourselves."

He added: "This is a very important match. We can qualify if we win. We have individual talents to make the difference."

Carvalho knows his international team-mates will have their work cut out, however, trying to find a way past his Stamford Bridge colleague Petr Cech.

"It is very difficult to beat Cech, he is one of the best if not the best goalkeeper in the world," said the former Porto player. "He has very few weak points, but everyone makes mistakes."

Scolari has been impressed with the standard at the tournament so far but reckons his side have a way to go before they can count themselves among the front-runners.

"We played very well (against Turkey), but there are other teams who have done that," said the Brazilian.

"Tactically speaking there is no better team than Germany. Holland also played a great match. There are other teams who might be considered.

"I think we have a few things to prove before we are at that level of these teams I have mentioned."