MAGALIESBURG, South Africa, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese winger Simao said Portugal could beat five-time champions Brazil but admitted he wanted to avoid Spain in the next phase.

The Portuguese, semi-finalists at the 2006 World Cup, are grouped with Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire and the DPR Korea in Group G, regarded as the "Group of Death".

"Portugal have some of the best players in Europe with a lot of ambition and it's a very united and strong team," Simao told reporters at Portugal's training base outside Johannesburg.

"It's always important to start the World Cup in the best way with a win. We don't want to face Brazil in the third game needing a win but if we need to win, why not? Because we have beaten them several times before."

But he said Portugal would try to avoid Spain in the last 16, which would happen if Spain topped Group H and Portugal finished as runners-up in their group.

"It will be difficult if Portugal face Spain in the last 16 because they are the European champions," the 30-year-old said. Spain are hot favourites to top Group H.