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Wednesday June 7, 1:13 AM Coach Scolari proving an inspiration to Portugal Photo: Reuters Click to enlarge MARIENFELD, Germany (Reuters) - Portugal's World Cup side are feeling increasingly confident thanks to the motivation of "father figure" coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, winger Simao Sabrosa said on Tuesday. "He has brought self-esteem and made the players believe in themselves," Simao told a news conference at the team hotel. Scolari knows what it takes to win a World Cup, having coached his native Brazil to the title in 2002. He then led Portugal to the Euro 2004 final before the hosts lost to Greece. Simao, who was not in the side for Portugal's World Cup appearance in 2002 and was a substitute during Euro 2004, said he hoped to be part of the starting line-up in Germany. "I'm fit enough to be in the first team, I think I'm ready for it, but I can't answer for the coach," he said. Describing Luis Figo as "his idol", he dismissed suggestions that the veteran midfielder was too old for international football. He argued that the country's most-capped player, who was persuaded to come out of retirement after hanging up his boots at the end of Euro 2004, brought much needed experience to the current Portuguese side. "I don't think Luis Figo is too old. In the match against Luxembourg he proved that he is still fit and still has a lot of ambition. I can only say good things about him. He is still very important to the team," he said. Simao scored twice in the 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Saturday while Figo was also on the scoresheet. Portugal play Angola in their first match on Sunday. While much has been made in the Angolan media about the African nation's desire to beat their former rulers, Simao was not interested in the history between the two countries. "It is our first game in the World Cup and of course we are a little bit anxious, but our principal objective is to win. It has nothing to do with our opponent," he said. After Angola, Portugal face Iran and Mexico in Group D.