Cristiano Ronaldo will be watching from the stands on Saturday when his Portugal team mates open their playoff bid to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The world’s most expensive player will miss both legs of the home-and-away playoff with an ankle injury, which has already sidelined him for a month.

“Every team in the world wants to have its best players available. He’ll be missed,” midfield playmaker Deco said. “Football is a team game and we have players to come in and take his place. We won’t be using his absence as an excuse,” he added.

Ronaldo’s injury opens the door for his former Manchester United teammate Nani on the right flank. Coach Carlos Queiros also has to address absences in defence. Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa underwent knee surgery this week, and Glasgow Rangers defensive midfielder Pedro Mendes — who gave standout performances in Portugal’s last two matches — also has a knee injury. Valencia’s Miguel is expected to fill the opening on the right side of defense, with Real Madrid’s Pepe taking the position in front of the back four.

The Portuguese were early favourites to qualify from their group but a faltering campaign that included a four-game winless streak saw them overtaken by Denmark. “Getting this far wasn’t easy,” Deco said. “We flunked some important games and now we’ve been given another chance.”

Queiros faces a wily opponent in Miroslav Blazevic in front of a sell-out crowd of 62,000 at Benfica’s Stadium of Light. The 74-year-old Bosnia coach led Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup in France and has a reputation as a master tactician. Bosnia finished behind Spain but ahead of Belgium and Euro 2008 semi-finalist Turkey in their qualifying. “From my players I expect a warrior spirit because only 11 warriors can achieve a good result in Portugal,” Blazevic said.

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