Portugal coach Paulo Bento insisted Wednesday that he would not resign if his country becomes the latest European nation to crash out of the World Cup.

Portugal play Ghana in Group G on Thursday knowing they need a big win to even maintain their slight hopes of stopping Germany and United States taking the two qualifying spots for the last 16.

"Whatever happens in tomorrow's match, I will not resign from my post as coach," Bento told a press conference.

"That is not my intention. It is not the intention of the federation and not the intention of its president. With that everything has been said," Bento added when faced with repeated questions about his future.

Portugal's 4-0 hammering by Germany and narrow 2-2 draw with United States have increased pressure on the team, which relies heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bento admitted that the team face "an extremely complicated situation" going into Thursday's match.

"We have to win and then we will see," said Bento, who added that he did not believe that the Germany and United States would play for a deliberate draw that would squeeze our Portugal, no matter the score in the rival match.

"There is no place for fear," about the results, he said, calling for a show of "dignity" by all sides. "We have a match to play, the United States and Germany have a match to play."

"We must choose a strategy against a team (Ghana) that is technically advanced, physically very strong, with players that are fast on the counter-attack, a team that is going to get involved and try to qualify," said Bento.

afp