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By Carlos Pontes
LISBON, July 16 (Reuters) - New Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said on Wednesday his first major priority was for the country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Our absolute priority is the World Cup and we are going to concentrate on that objective," Queiroz, 55, told his first news conference since his appointment last week.
His first spell as Portugal coach from 1991 to 1993 ended with failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals.
The former Manchester United assistant coach, who took the post left vacant by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, has signed a contract with the Portuguese Football Federation until 2012.
Queiroz plans to speak to predecessor Scolari to gather all useful information.
He said: "I'm sure we will find room for him to give me all his feelings regarding the strengths of the team over the last few years and also some things he would change if he could go back in time because that's always the case."
Scolari stepped down after Euro 2008 following 5-1/2 years in charge to join Premier League club Chelsea who will again be one of the main challengers to champions United for the title.
Queiroz refused to comment on the future of United's Cristiano Ronaldo: "We don't have to interfere (me and the Federation) in the relationships between our players and the clubs", he said.
His first game in charge will be a friendly against Faroe Islands next month ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign against Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta.
