Cedric highlights title dream

Portugal defender Cedric Soares says his side’s goal for Euro 2016 is to win the tournament outright.

A Seleccao begin their campaign on Tuesday against Iceland and will be confident of making a winning start in Group F, which also includes Austria and Hungary.

The Portuguese, who are on offer at 17.00 to win Euro 2016, have a fine record in the European Championships, making the quarter-finals or better in their six trips to the tournament, most notably finishing as runners-up as hosts in 2004.

Much of their inspiration is likely to come from captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Santos’ squad is somewhat mixed, with plenty of experience but also a number of youngsters. This uncertainty has seen their chances of Euro 2016 glory talked down but Cedric says the doubts outside of the camp have not dented their confidence.

Ahead of Tuesday’s game against Iceland, the Southampton defender believes they can go all the way in France, insisting the squad’s goal is to win the trophy outright. “Our biggest goal is to win the tournament,” Cedric told UEFA.com. “We know it will be hard, we’ll have good and bad moments, but this group of players is prepared and working towards that goal.”

“It’s important to start well. It’s a difficult group, like all the others. It’s going to be a very competitive European Championship and that goes to show that football is increasingly even, which is great. “We need to work hard and the whole team are ready for that. We’re obviously very much looking forward to the first match.”

Portugal are the 1.53 favourites to win on Tuesday, with the draw priced at 3.80 and Iceland the 7.50 outsiders.