Friendly: Portuguese Select X1 0 Cardiff City 3

CARDIFF CITY ended a successful week in Portugal with a decisive victory over a Portuguese Select X1 - a side of Portuguese players hoping to catch the eye of assorted agents and scouts - who provided The Bluebirds with a tough and physical test and a harder game than the midweek 1-0 victory over Fatima.

City were generally in charge from first whistle to last but the opening period was especially bruising with neither side mustering a threatening effort and Cardiff unable to capitalise on contless set pieces.

However the game was resolved with City netting three times from the hour mark after heavy pressure in which Ledley, Parry and Whittingham went close while McCormack was dened a penalty. The goal rush came courtesy of JAY BOTHROYD netting twice heading home a McNaughton cross then blasting home after Gerrard headed back a half cleared corner before CHOPRA had a simple tap-in after Paul Parry did the spade work. City had 9 2nd half subs with only Ledley and Whittingham playing a full 90 minutes.

Cardiff's pre-season now consists of 3 wins, 8 scored and 0 conceded. However the games have been about developing sharpness and getting used to the new players. The comign week sees a more thorough examination with Celtic visiting the new stadium on Tuesday and a visit to League One Swindon next weekend.

CARDIFF CITY TODAY: Enckelman (Marshall); P Quinn (Matthews 75)-Hudson (Morris 75), Gyepes (Gerrard 45), T Capaldi (McNaughton 45); Parry (Magennis 75)-Rae (McPhail 45)- Ledley (capt)-P Whittingham; R McCormack (Chopra 66)-Bothroyd (C Burke 70)