In response to Mr. Davies' article:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/blog?entryID=5294701&name=offtheball&cc=5901&ver=us
Mr. Davies,
Your criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo is completely unwarranted. one can accuse Ronaldo of going down easily, and there is no doubt that his whining is irritating and sometimes overshadows his talent, but calling him a cheater is unjustifiable, unprofessional, and it certainly doesn't excuse his yellow card. Ronaldo, like Messi, is a constant victim of reckless defending, and to criticize him instead of the Ivorian defender who mauled him, reflects your inability to remain unbiased when reporting about the game, as well as your soccer cluelessness.
sincerely
bigsoccerhead
Response by a reader to my comments, and a link to a very good article about Ronaldo's diving courtesy of Lucas Shanks
In total agreement with this. If you're gonna criticize Ronaldo for diving and whining, that's fine, but you better also criticize the dozens of other players who do it just as much or more. The way most people talk (like the announcer in the game) you'd think he's the one and only player in the entire world who has ever taken a dive or whined about not getting a call. And his yellow card was an absolutely terrible call, one of the worst of the Cup so far.
http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2010/06/16/world-cup-cristiano-ronaldo-is-a-cynic-but-not-a-nefarious-villain/
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Drawing Conclusions: Groups' First Games
Now that all the first games of the group stages have been played, it’s time to reflect on the best, worst, most surprising, most disappointing, and most purely knuckle-headed moments we’ve had the privilege to see. Oh yes! I almost forgot: what about all those goals we were supposed to see thanks to the world’s most hated ball?
Best Team: Germany
In a tournament marked by tentative play, Germany was the only team that played fluidly, and used the width of the field effectively. After overcoming a couple of nervy hiccups in the first few minutes of the game, the Germans settled down and imposed their will on the Australians who, even with Cahill on the field, never looked like they had a chance.
Worst Team: Greece
Putting aside their dismal word cup record, the Greeks were expected to compete in their group; however, Greece’s embarrassing display against South Korea seems to suggest that there will be little chance of knockout-stage football for the former European cup winners. Seldom did the Hellenes threaten the Koreans; actually, they threatened themselves with their shoddy passing.
Most Surprising Team: South Korea
Everyone knows that the Korans aren’t pushovers, but their performance against the Greeks was a warning to their future opponents. The Koreans looked dominant and relaxed in the midfield, mixing up their passing, and posing a constant threat to the Greek defense.
Most Disappointing Team: Serbia
Much was expected from the potential dark horses, however, similarly to 2006, the eastern Europeans were a huge disappointment, getting outplayed and outfought by a depleted Ghana team. The Serbs could never assert their game, and rarely strung more than a few passes in a row.
Most Surprising Result: Switzerland 1 Spain 0
Who saw this coming? All of a sudden Portugal and the Ivory Coast feel a lot better about second place.
Most Impressive Player: Mezut Oezil
A classy display against Australia has once again put the Werder Bremen midfielder on the radar screen. Oezil’s classy feint opened up the Australian defense for the first goal and he assisted Cacau on the fourth after he once again carved up the Aussies with an insightful run down the left. Oezil’s trickery is a perfect addition to a team that is known for its boring, mechanical, yet effective, style of play.
Most Disappointing Player: Milos Krasic
Krasic definitely didn’t live up to the hype. Seemingly being chased by every major club in Europe, the Serb was supposed to dazzle the world with his speed and ingenuity. Unfortunately, Krasic never broke out of his lull and drifted insignificantly throughout most of the game. On the one occasion he could have scored, Krasic shot directly at the Ghanaian goalkeeper, forcing nothing more than a routine save.
Bigsoccerhead Knuckle-head Moment: Zdravko Kuzmanovic’s Handball
In a tournament where there have been a few knuckle-head moments (think England’s Robert Green and Algeria’s Chaouchi), Kuzmanovic’s handball against Ghana reigns supreme. Why the Serb decided to lift both his hands as he tried to head the ball is anyone’s guess, but no one will doubt whom Serbians will be pointing fingers at if the country fails to qualify for the next round.
Best Team: Germany
In a tournament marked by tentative play, Germany was the only team that played fluidly, and used the width of the field effectively. After overcoming a couple of nervy hiccups in the first few minutes of the game, the Germans settled down and imposed their will on the Australians who, even with Cahill on the field, never looked like they had a chance.
Worst Team: Greece
Putting aside their dismal word cup record, the Greeks were expected to compete in their group; however, Greece’s embarrassing display against South Korea seems to suggest that there will be little chance of knockout-stage football for the former European cup winners. Seldom did the Hellenes threaten the Koreans; actually, they threatened themselves with their shoddy passing.
Most Surprising Team: South Korea
Everyone knows that the Korans aren’t pushovers, but their performance against the Greeks was a warning to their future opponents. The Koreans looked dominant and relaxed in the midfield, mixing up their passing, and posing a constant threat to the Greek defense.
Most Disappointing Team: Serbia
Much was expected from the potential dark horses, however, similarly to 2006, the eastern Europeans were a huge disappointment, getting outplayed and outfought by a depleted Ghana team. The Serbs could never assert their game, and rarely strung more than a few passes in a row.
Most Surprising Result: Switzerland 1 Spain 0
Who saw this coming? All of a sudden Portugal and the Ivory Coast feel a lot better about second place.
Most Impressive Player: Mezut Oezil
A classy display against Australia has once again put the Werder Bremen midfielder on the radar screen. Oezil’s classy feint opened up the Australian defense for the first goal and he assisted Cacau on the fourth after he once again carved up the Aussies with an insightful run down the left. Oezil’s trickery is a perfect addition to a team that is known for its boring, mechanical, yet effective, style of play.
Most Disappointing Player: Milos Krasic
Krasic definitely didn’t live up to the hype. Seemingly being chased by every major club in Europe, the Serb was supposed to dazzle the world with his speed and ingenuity. Unfortunately, Krasic never broke out of his lull and drifted insignificantly throughout most of the game. On the one occasion he could have scored, Krasic shot directly at the Ghanaian goalkeeper, forcing nothing more than a routine save.
Bigsoccerhead Knuckle-head Moment: Zdravko Kuzmanovic’s Handball
In a tournament where there have been a few knuckle-head moments (think England’s Robert Green and Algeria’s Chaouchi), Kuzmanovic’s handball against Ghana reigns supreme. Why the Serb decided to lift both his hands as he tried to head the ball is anyone’s guess, but no one will doubt whom Serbians will be pointing fingers at if the country fails to qualify for the next round.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Preview: Serbia vs. Ghana
While Ghana is certainly not the same team without Michael Essien, the African nation is still favored to clinch the second place in group D behind Germany. The Serbs are potential dark horses that have the quality to beat any given team. If there is to be any hope of progressing to the round of 16, neither team can afford to lose the game, and a draw means that the Africans and the Eastern Europeans must get points out of their respective games against Germany.
The Ghanaians will have to rely heavily on the midfield work of Sulley Muntari and Stephan Appiah if they’re to get a good result tomorrow in Pretoria. Their main concern will be to soak up Serbia’s pressure by closing space as they did in the first half of their friendly against Holland a fortnight ago, and then to release the speedy Matthew Amoah. If Ghana decides to take the game to the Serbs, it could leave itself open to the attacks of Serbia’s speedy wingers.
Much more of a possession team, Serbia will have to set the game’s tempo and funnel much of its offense through the wings. Krasic will be a key player, and he should be helped by Chelsea’s Ivanovic who likes to aid the attack. In fact, given Ghana’s organization, the Serbians will have to push their wing defenders forward to create imbalances. Zigic should enjoy a lot of service in the box, and he has the physique to handle Ghana’s bulky defenders.
If Serbia scores early, the Ghanaians will have to discard their defensive tactics in order to look for a goal. As evidenced against Holland, this is when they’re the most vulnerable as they’re slow to get back. The Serbs know that Ghana will sit back and wait for the right time to counter-attack, thus they must stick to their game plan and not get frustrated with a lack of early production. If the Europeans try to force the game, the Ghanaians could prevail by preying on silly mistakes. Expect Serbia to win this game, though, a little more easily than predicted. The team is more experienced, well organized, and hungry to show the world that it can compete with anyone.
The Ghanaians will have to rely heavily on the midfield work of Sulley Muntari and Stephan Appiah if they’re to get a good result tomorrow in Pretoria. Their main concern will be to soak up Serbia’s pressure by closing space as they did in the first half of their friendly against Holland a fortnight ago, and then to release the speedy Matthew Amoah. If Ghana decides to take the game to the Serbs, it could leave itself open to the attacks of Serbia’s speedy wingers.
Much more of a possession team, Serbia will have to set the game’s tempo and funnel much of its offense through the wings. Krasic will be a key player, and he should be helped by Chelsea’s Ivanovic who likes to aid the attack. In fact, given Ghana’s organization, the Serbians will have to push their wing defenders forward to create imbalances. Zigic should enjoy a lot of service in the box, and he has the physique to handle Ghana’s bulky defenders.
If Serbia scores early, the Ghanaians will have to discard their defensive tactics in order to look for a goal. As evidenced against Holland, this is when they’re the most vulnerable as they’re slow to get back. The Serbs know that Ghana will sit back and wait for the right time to counter-attack, thus they must stick to their game plan and not get frustrated with a lack of early production. If the Europeans try to force the game, the Ghanaians could prevail by preying on silly mistakes. Expect Serbia to win this game, though, a little more easily than predicted. The team is more experienced, well organized, and hungry to show the world that it can compete with anyone.
Preview: USA vs. England
The US’ game against its former colonizers has been touted as one of the more important games of the group stages. For the Americans, nothing would be sweeter than beating a team that many believe has an inflated view of itself. Nevertheless, team USA is allowed to slip up in this game. It’s Slovenia and Algeria that the Yanks have to beat if they wish to progress to the knockout stages. On the other hand, the English have to live up to the hype about being a potential world champion. If the English don’t perform well, the pressure will mount, and there will be a serious depletion of confidence that could prove insurmountable.
In order for the Americans to win, they will have to deviate from their usual strategy. The US team likes to sit back and hit on the counter, relying on the speed of Donavan and Co. This could be a problematic game plan against the Three Lions. The English have shown that if given too much time to move the ball, they can cause a lot of problems with their flank play, and given Rooney’s newly acquired heading ability, the last thing the Americans want is crosses raining in. The way to beat the English is to try and take the ball away from them. England’s rhythm starts to suffer if they don’t have consistent possession. Additionally, the Americans need to take advantage of Barry’s absence. Barry usually sits back and allows Lampard to attack freely. His injury will probably force Capello to employ Gerrard in the middle with the Chelsea man. This pairing has not always been successful, since both players enjoy pushing forward regularly and tend to forget their defensive duties.
England needs to take advantage of its wing play to cause the US real problems. While Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra are sound defenders, they lack pace to keep up with Joe Cole, Wright-Phillips, and Aaron Lennon. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages the English have is the fact that Brian Ching will be watching the game on his television in Texas. England has physical centre-backs who will make it very difficult for Altidore to hold the ball up for his midfield support. Altidore is far more comfortable running at the defense from the wings, and Ching’s absence will mean that the US doesn’t have someone who plays in the box.
If the US staves off England’s initial attacks, there is a chance it could pull off an upset, as the English can get easily frustrated, which leads them to abandon their game plan. If the English score early, expect the Yanks to push forward more often, leaving them exposed at the back, which will enable Rooney to cause some serious damage. A one goal tie seems a very realistic score-line, but the game could also end with the English running away with it by three goals to none.
In order for the Americans to win, they will have to deviate from their usual strategy. The US team likes to sit back and hit on the counter, relying on the speed of Donavan and Co. This could be a problematic game plan against the Three Lions. The English have shown that if given too much time to move the ball, they can cause a lot of problems with their flank play, and given Rooney’s newly acquired heading ability, the last thing the Americans want is crosses raining in. The way to beat the English is to try and take the ball away from them. England’s rhythm starts to suffer if they don’t have consistent possession. Additionally, the Americans need to take advantage of Barry’s absence. Barry usually sits back and allows Lampard to attack freely. His injury will probably force Capello to employ Gerrard in the middle with the Chelsea man. This pairing has not always been successful, since both players enjoy pushing forward regularly and tend to forget their defensive duties.
England needs to take advantage of its wing play to cause the US real problems. While Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra are sound defenders, they lack pace to keep up with Joe Cole, Wright-Phillips, and Aaron Lennon. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages the English have is the fact that Brian Ching will be watching the game on his television in Texas. England has physical centre-backs who will make it very difficult for Altidore to hold the ball up for his midfield support. Altidore is far more comfortable running at the defense from the wings, and Ching’s absence will mean that the US doesn’t have someone who plays in the box.
If the US staves off England’s initial attacks, there is a chance it could pull off an upset, as the English can get easily frustrated, which leads them to abandon their game plan. If the English score early, expect the Yanks to push forward more often, leaving them exposed at the back, which will enable Rooney to cause some serious damage. A one goal tie seems a very realistic score-line, but the game could also end with the English running away with it by three goals to none.
Contenders or Pretenders: Brazil (no) Joga Bonito
The most interesting assessment of Brazil’s chances in the world cup was uttered by ESPN’s Tommy Smyth, who claimed that Brazil would fail to advance out of the group stage, but then quickly added the disclaimer: “but if Brazil do manage to go through, they may win it.” Mr. Smyth’s analysis is either embarrassingly inconsistent, or is just a symptom of Brazil’s unpredictable play.
There are more questions about this year’s squad than there have been about Canarinha teams in the past. This has actually been the norm since Dunga took over in July of 2006, only a few weeks after France ousted the team in that year’s world cup quarterfinals. Dunga has been a constant victim of scathing attacks from the media, as well as the general public for his strict adherence to strategy, his player selection, and the team’s deviation from the type of soccer that makes Brazil…well, Brazil. For the most part, the coach has stuck to his philosophy, and he definitely has not shied away from making tough decisions about players – just ask Ronaldinho. And for all the flak the former world cup winner has received, he already has one Copa America, and one Confederations Cup under his belt.
In the end, no matter how Brazil performs in South Africa, Dunga will continue to have his detractors; the big question is whether or not he’ll have a second trophy in his cabinet to help muffle their whingeing.
Why They’re Contenders
Two defensive midfielders
The Brazilians have always been known for their offense, but it may be their defense that sticks out during this tournament. Dunga has made sure that his midfield is well balanced and relies heavily on a defensive midfield duo that allows attacking midfielders more tactical freedom to create offense. The likely starters will be Filipe Melo and Gilberto Silva, both of whom are strong tacklers and have inexhaustible lungs. Gilberto is one of the more experienced players on the team, which is very important considering Melo’s occasional rashness. If Brazil is to be beaten, opponents need to move the ball fast enough through the midfield, and have to attack in numbers. Both defensive midfielders only look shaky when they’re outnumbered and outpaced, as neither of them is particularly fast. Chances are most of Brazil’s goals will be a result of attacks that originate at Melo’s and Gilberto’s feet after they’ve wrecked someone else’s offensive play.
Attacking wing defenders
All of today’s successful teams, whether club or national, have wing defenders who can support an attack and cause defensive imbalances to opponents. It’s safe to say that whatever team wins the world cup will have had consistent offensive contribution from its wing defenders. In this regard Brazil is probably ahead of every other team in the tournament. In Maicon, the seleção has arguably the best right-sided defender in the world. Where many wing defenders are categorized as being either good defenders, or good attackers, Maicon is both. With his speed, he can mark any winger, his size allows him to pitch in the middle to help the centre-backs, and his fitness and offensive disposition enable him to torment defenses. On the left side, Michel Bastos supports the attack effectively with his speed and powerful shooting. The Lyon player’s defense may not be the best, but with Brazil constantly looking to score, there may be very little for Bastos to do at the back.
Why They’re Pretenders
Kaka’s fitness
This season was not Kaka’s best. The change of league, and his groin problem prevented Brazil’s number ten from performing consistently, and as a result his confidence and playing time took a knock. In order for Brazil to perform at its best level, Kaka must be pulling the strings, and controlling the pace of the game. Two-thirds of the game flows through his feet, and if he’s not at his best, there is no one on the bench who can replace him, whether in quality, or style of play.
Bickering
All of Nike’s Brazilian soccer commercials would have you believe that the Brazilian camp is a harmonious one. Apparently that is not the case. Quite a few players have voiced their displeasure with Dunga’s emphasis on tactical discipline, while others have had some disagreements during practice. Since arriving in South Africa, Kaka has had it out with Filipe Melo for his aggressive tackles, and Julio Sampaio and Dani Alves have also had their quarrels. Some are attributing the arising conflicts to nervousness within the camp, which may derive from the pressure the team is feeling from the fans back across the Atlantic.
The Verdict: Contenders
All things considered, Tommy Smyth may be correct in his assessment of Brazil’s chances. The team will be tested by Portugal and the Ivory Coast, and could potentially lose to either one of them. However, if the Brazilians get through the group, they will have surpassed two very good opponents, and will likely not face many teams that are better on their way to the final. Kaka claims he is feeling close to his best, so he should be ready to guide the team. As for the discord within the squad: We’ve all seen what player conflicts have done to the Dutch teams in the past. If Dunga doesn’t cool hot tempers, Brazil could face the same problems on the field that have prevented the Oranje from doing better than they have. Still, the team should cruise through the group stage and then make its way to the final before lifting a record sixth world cup.
There are more questions about this year’s squad than there have been about Canarinha teams in the past. This has actually been the norm since Dunga took over in July of 2006, only a few weeks after France ousted the team in that year’s world cup quarterfinals. Dunga has been a constant victim of scathing attacks from the media, as well as the general public for his strict adherence to strategy, his player selection, and the team’s deviation from the type of soccer that makes Brazil…well, Brazil. For the most part, the coach has stuck to his philosophy, and he definitely has not shied away from making tough decisions about players – just ask Ronaldinho. And for all the flak the former world cup winner has received, he already has one Copa America, and one Confederations Cup under his belt.
In the end, no matter how Brazil performs in South Africa, Dunga will continue to have his detractors; the big question is whether or not he’ll have a second trophy in his cabinet to help muffle their whingeing.
Why They’re Contenders
Two defensive midfielders
The Brazilians have always been known for their offense, but it may be their defense that sticks out during this tournament. Dunga has made sure that his midfield is well balanced and relies heavily on a defensive midfield duo that allows attacking midfielders more tactical freedom to create offense. The likely starters will be Filipe Melo and Gilberto Silva, both of whom are strong tacklers and have inexhaustible lungs. Gilberto is one of the more experienced players on the team, which is very important considering Melo’s occasional rashness. If Brazil is to be beaten, opponents need to move the ball fast enough through the midfield, and have to attack in numbers. Both defensive midfielders only look shaky when they’re outnumbered and outpaced, as neither of them is particularly fast. Chances are most of Brazil’s goals will be a result of attacks that originate at Melo’s and Gilberto’s feet after they’ve wrecked someone else’s offensive play.
Attacking wing defenders
All of today’s successful teams, whether club or national, have wing defenders who can support an attack and cause defensive imbalances to opponents. It’s safe to say that whatever team wins the world cup will have had consistent offensive contribution from its wing defenders. In this regard Brazil is probably ahead of every other team in the tournament. In Maicon, the seleção has arguably the best right-sided defender in the world. Where many wing defenders are categorized as being either good defenders, or good attackers, Maicon is both. With his speed, he can mark any winger, his size allows him to pitch in the middle to help the centre-backs, and his fitness and offensive disposition enable him to torment defenses. On the left side, Michel Bastos supports the attack effectively with his speed and powerful shooting. The Lyon player’s defense may not be the best, but with Brazil constantly looking to score, there may be very little for Bastos to do at the back.
Why They’re Pretenders
Kaka’s fitness
This season was not Kaka’s best. The change of league, and his groin problem prevented Brazil’s number ten from performing consistently, and as a result his confidence and playing time took a knock. In order for Brazil to perform at its best level, Kaka must be pulling the strings, and controlling the pace of the game. Two-thirds of the game flows through his feet, and if he’s not at his best, there is no one on the bench who can replace him, whether in quality, or style of play.
Bickering
All of Nike’s Brazilian soccer commercials would have you believe that the Brazilian camp is a harmonious one. Apparently that is not the case. Quite a few players have voiced their displeasure with Dunga’s emphasis on tactical discipline, while others have had some disagreements during practice. Since arriving in South Africa, Kaka has had it out with Filipe Melo for his aggressive tackles, and Julio Sampaio and Dani Alves have also had their quarrels. Some are attributing the arising conflicts to nervousness within the camp, which may derive from the pressure the team is feeling from the fans back across the Atlantic.
The Verdict: Contenders
All things considered, Tommy Smyth may be correct in his assessment of Brazil’s chances. The team will be tested by Portugal and the Ivory Coast, and could potentially lose to either one of them. However, if the Brazilians get through the group, they will have surpassed two very good opponents, and will likely not face many teams that are better on their way to the final. Kaka claims he is feeling close to his best, so he should be ready to guide the team. As for the discord within the squad: We’ve all seen what player conflicts have done to the Dutch teams in the past. If Dunga doesn’t cool hot tempers, Brazil could face the same problems on the field that have prevented the Oranje from doing better than they have. Still, the team should cruise through the group stage and then make its way to the final before lifting a record sixth world cup.
Friday, June 4, 2010
2010's Dark Horses: Portugal's Dimmimg Generation
It isn’t easy being a Portugal fan. Since 2000, the team has oscillated between being brilliant, and utterly incompetent. As a result, Portuguese fans never know what to expect from the team formerly dubbed the “Golden Generation.” During the European cup in 2000, Portugal played free-flowing entertaining football and barely lost to France in the semifinals. Two years later, expectations were high, with Portugal entering the world cup with virtually the same team, and benefiting from what seemed to be a relatively easy group. The expectations, however, were soon dashed when Portugal didn’t make it past the group stage, with an unlikely defeat to the US in the first game, and a self-destructive performance against South Korea, stained by Joao Pinto’s inexcusable red card. The following European cup saw Portugal – playing at home - live up to its billing once again as a football force, reaching the final, but being defeated by Greece. The 2006 world cup in Germany was another successful show with the team finishing fourth, while the last Euro turned into a disappointment when Figo, Ronaldo and co. fell to Germany in the quarterfinals.
This is year Portugal is generally being regarded as a non-threat. Most pundits agree that group G will be dominated by Brazil, and that the Ivory Coast, which many regard as Africa’s most realistic hope of surpassing the quarterfinals, will follow in second. Who can blame them? Portugal went into its qualifying group as a heavy favorite, and was predicted to finish at the top, with Sweden and Denmark fighting to make the playoffs. That didn’t happen. Instead the Portuguese only confirmed their presence in the playoffs on the last day of qualification after Sweden failed to beat Denmark, the eventual group winners. The irony of this whole situation is that Portugal must be the only country in the history of FIFA’s world ranking top three to not be expected to progress past the group stages.
Yet, there are enough reasons for Portugal fans to be optimistic about their team, and it would be silly to dismiss the perennial underachievers. After all, Portugal did manage to qualify when all the odds were against them, and they did so without their captain and talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo. Additionally, the team is tournament tested and includes players who represent some of Europe’s best clubs. Thus, don’t be surprised to see the Portuguese fighting their way past the group stage and then facing Spain in the ultimate showdown for Iberian supremacy. And here’s why:
Reason 1: The pressure is off – Expectations for the Portuguese national team have been high for the better part of the last twenty years. After Portugal defeated Brazil in the final of the under 20 world cup in 1991(under the tutelage of Carlos Quieroz), everyone expected the team’s success to translate to the senior squad. Boasting the likes of Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Fernando Couto, and Paulo Sousa – all of whom went on to enjoy trophy-laden careers on some of Europe’s biggest teams – the belief was that the “Golden Generation” would lift at least one major trophy. Of course that didn’t happen, and now the consensus is that if they couldn’t do it, then the current team cant either. That notion may prove to be a blessing in disguise. The Portuguese players certainly think so. Without the pressure of expectation, Portugal will be more likely to play as if they’ve got nothing to lose. Furthermore, as underdogs, the Portuguese will be cognizant that the pressure will be on Brazil and the Ivory Coast to perform. And while the South Americans are used to dealing with pressure, the Africans are not.
Reason 2: Possession – While Portugal can be outplayed in many aspects of the game, there is one area where the Portuguese rival the best teams in the world, and that is ball possession. Of course any respectable fan will contend that possession means nothing in a game where the only determiner is putting the ball in the back of the net. Still, while this is obviously true, ball possession is extremely important when it comes to controlling tempo. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that with less possession, come fewer scoring chances. That doesn’t mean that the few chances aren’t good ones, but Portugal will be looking to hold on to the ball as much as possible in order to prevent its opponents from establishing a rhythm, and when you’re playing teams like Brazil, who come at you in waves, that may prove half the battle.
Reason 3: Cristiano Ronaldo – One of the more recent theories concerning the Portuguese maintains that the team is better sans Ronaldo. The reasoning behind the theory is that when the winger is on the field, his teammates will look to get him the ball as much as possible at the expense of better options. Additionally, the question remains of where to play Ronaldo on the field, as he can play equally well as a winger (his original position), or as a forward (the position he now plays at Real Madrid). Queiroz was reluctant to play Ronaldo as a forward during qualifying, but Portugal’s recent tune-up friendlies against Cape Verde and Cameroon suggest that the manager is willing to give his star player more tactical freedom behind the striker, which seems to be Sporting Lisbon’s Liedson. Nevertheless, whatever position Ronaldo will be employed in, chances are he won’t disappoint in South Africa. At 25, Ronaldo is aware that this could be his last chance to perform in the world’s biggest stage, as there are concerns about Portugal’s next generation football, and whether it will be able to sustain the team’s recent success. Furthermore, Ronaldo is obsessed with the idea of being ranked among the greatest players ever, and he understands that that will only be accomplished if he delivers stellar performances in the African continent.
Potential Handicap: Goal scoring – It is no secret that Portugal’s biggest weakness has been its inability to score goals. Long gone are the days of Eusebio, and while Pauleta replaced the “Black Panther” as the team’s all-time best scorer, he was often criticized for not scoring in the big games. Ronaldo will be Portugal’s major scoring threat during the tournament, but the captain has never been able to translate his club scoring form into the national team, and Liedson hasn’t had enough time to prove that he can do for his adopted nation, what he’s done for the Lisbon Lions in the Portuguese league. Much hope will be placed on Portugal’s midfield, which has recently carried the team’s goal-scoring burdens. One thing is certain: if Portugal fail to find the back of the net regularly enough, they can forget about getting out of their group, as something tells me that the games against the Ivory Coast and Brazil will end up being shootouts.
What To Watch Out For: Everyone thinks that Portugal’s game against the Ivory Coast will be the most important for the Iberians; however, I see their game against North Korea as the real decider. Everyone is writing off the Asians as nothing more than sacrificial lambs that should be happy to even be at the party, but don’t be surprised if they trip one of the big three in the group, and Portugal has a history of underestimating weaker opponents.
This is year Portugal is generally being regarded as a non-threat. Most pundits agree that group G will be dominated by Brazil, and that the Ivory Coast, which many regard as Africa’s most realistic hope of surpassing the quarterfinals, will follow in second. Who can blame them? Portugal went into its qualifying group as a heavy favorite, and was predicted to finish at the top, with Sweden and Denmark fighting to make the playoffs. That didn’t happen. Instead the Portuguese only confirmed their presence in the playoffs on the last day of qualification after Sweden failed to beat Denmark, the eventual group winners. The irony of this whole situation is that Portugal must be the only country in the history of FIFA’s world ranking top three to not be expected to progress past the group stages.
Yet, there are enough reasons for Portugal fans to be optimistic about their team, and it would be silly to dismiss the perennial underachievers. After all, Portugal did manage to qualify when all the odds were against them, and they did so without their captain and talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo. Additionally, the team is tournament tested and includes players who represent some of Europe’s best clubs. Thus, don’t be surprised to see the Portuguese fighting their way past the group stage and then facing Spain in the ultimate showdown for Iberian supremacy. And here’s why:
Reason 1: The pressure is off – Expectations for the Portuguese national team have been high for the better part of the last twenty years. After Portugal defeated Brazil in the final of the under 20 world cup in 1991(under the tutelage of Carlos Quieroz), everyone expected the team’s success to translate to the senior squad. Boasting the likes of Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Fernando Couto, and Paulo Sousa – all of whom went on to enjoy trophy-laden careers on some of Europe’s biggest teams – the belief was that the “Golden Generation” would lift at least one major trophy. Of course that didn’t happen, and now the consensus is that if they couldn’t do it, then the current team cant either. That notion may prove to be a blessing in disguise. The Portuguese players certainly think so. Without the pressure of expectation, Portugal will be more likely to play as if they’ve got nothing to lose. Furthermore, as underdogs, the Portuguese will be cognizant that the pressure will be on Brazil and the Ivory Coast to perform. And while the South Americans are used to dealing with pressure, the Africans are not.
Reason 2: Possession – While Portugal can be outplayed in many aspects of the game, there is one area where the Portuguese rival the best teams in the world, and that is ball possession. Of course any respectable fan will contend that possession means nothing in a game where the only determiner is putting the ball in the back of the net. Still, while this is obviously true, ball possession is extremely important when it comes to controlling tempo. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that with less possession, come fewer scoring chances. That doesn’t mean that the few chances aren’t good ones, but Portugal will be looking to hold on to the ball as much as possible in order to prevent its opponents from establishing a rhythm, and when you’re playing teams like Brazil, who come at you in waves, that may prove half the battle.
Reason 3: Cristiano Ronaldo – One of the more recent theories concerning the Portuguese maintains that the team is better sans Ronaldo. The reasoning behind the theory is that when the winger is on the field, his teammates will look to get him the ball as much as possible at the expense of better options. Additionally, the question remains of where to play Ronaldo on the field, as he can play equally well as a winger (his original position), or as a forward (the position he now plays at Real Madrid). Queiroz was reluctant to play Ronaldo as a forward during qualifying, but Portugal’s recent tune-up friendlies against Cape Verde and Cameroon suggest that the manager is willing to give his star player more tactical freedom behind the striker, which seems to be Sporting Lisbon’s Liedson. Nevertheless, whatever position Ronaldo will be employed in, chances are he won’t disappoint in South Africa. At 25, Ronaldo is aware that this could be his last chance to perform in the world’s biggest stage, as there are concerns about Portugal’s next generation football, and whether it will be able to sustain the team’s recent success. Furthermore, Ronaldo is obsessed with the idea of being ranked among the greatest players ever, and he understands that that will only be accomplished if he delivers stellar performances in the African continent.
Potential Handicap: Goal scoring – It is no secret that Portugal’s biggest weakness has been its inability to score goals. Long gone are the days of Eusebio, and while Pauleta replaced the “Black Panther” as the team’s all-time best scorer, he was often criticized for not scoring in the big games. Ronaldo will be Portugal’s major scoring threat during the tournament, but the captain has never been able to translate his club scoring form into the national team, and Liedson hasn’t had enough time to prove that he can do for his adopted nation, what he’s done for the Lisbon Lions in the Portuguese league. Much hope will be placed on Portugal’s midfield, which has recently carried the team’s goal-scoring burdens. One thing is certain: if Portugal fail to find the back of the net regularly enough, they can forget about getting out of their group, as something tells me that the games against the Ivory Coast and Brazil will end up being shootouts.
What To Watch Out For: Everyone thinks that Portugal’s game against the Ivory Coast will be the most important for the Iberians; however, I see their game against North Korea as the real decider. Everyone is writing off the Asians as nothing more than sacrificial lambs that should be happy to even be at the party, but don’t be surprised if they trip one of the big three in the group, and Portugal has a history of underestimating weaker opponents.
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