Meireles begs for Portuguese patience

Raul Meireles has urged Portugal fans to be more patient after their 3-1 friendly loss to Turkey, in their final Euro 2012 tune-up.

The Chelsea midfielder insisted that he was still optimistic about his side’s chances in the upcoming Euro 2012, citing the number of chances his side created in their home defeat.

“It is a negative result and it is normal for us to be whistled,” Meireles told AFP.

“Portuguese fans are a little impatient and when the result does not suit us, we express it. However we created a lot of chances, though in football the better team does not always win.

“There is no reason for us to be worried. The proof being that we conceded a second goal and still kept on playing well and trying to come back.

“The fans can continue believing because the players still believe in a positive outcome.”

Portugal begin their Euro 2012 campaign with a tricky fixture against Joachim Loew’s highly-rated Germany side.