Portugal denied by late equalizer

LISBON, Portugal -- Portugal were denied a much-needed win in Group A of Euro 2008 qualifying as a late equalizer from Branislav Ivanovic gave Serbia a 1-1 draw in Lisbon on Wednesday night.

With group leaders Poland being held to a goalless draw by second-placed Finland in an earlier game, Portugal had the ideal opportunity to take closer order.

Simao gave them the lead after 11 minutes with a brilliant free kick after Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo had been fouled.

But with two minutes remaining, Ivanovic leveled after Portugal failed to clear a Defan Stankovic free kick.

Poland lead the group with 21 points from Finland with 19 points. Portugal are two further points adrift with Serbia, who restored their chances, on 16 points.

The latter two teams both have a game in hand in a tight group.

World Cup semifinalists Portugal might have added to their early lead as Nuno Gomes headed a cross against the Serbian woodwork and Maniche shot the rebound straight at goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

Serbia grew in confidence after the break and Nenad Kovacevic wasted a golden opportunity as he fired over from close range.

But late on the visitors silenced the home crowd with Ivanovic's equalizer and even the sending off of Ivica Dragutinovic in added time could not take the gloss of a fine point. E-mail to a friend