Entering the 2010 World Cup as the world’s #3 ranked team, Portugal had high expectations, but after being placed in Group G with #1 ranked Brazil and Afrcan power Ivory Coast, Portugal knew it would be a tough road to the knockout stages. In their opener, Portugal played a tough game against Ivory Coast in which Cristiano Ronaldo took a shot that hit the post, received a yellow card and midfield standout Deco got injured. Ivory Coast superstar striker Didier Drogba came on in the 2nd half as a sub and missed a golden opportunity inside the penalty area that could have given his team the victory. After the draw Portugal took on North Korea without Deco, who didn’t appear in the tournament again, without Pepe, still nursing an injury, and with their star player on a yellow card. It didn’t matter. Portugal thrashed North Korea 7-0 in a game that saw Tiago hit the back of the net twice, C. Ronaldo score an acrobatic goal, and the North Koreans look lethargic and amatuerish. After giving them a cushion over Ivory Coast in goals, Portugal knew that the smartest way for them to move on would be to play nine men back and leave C. Ronaldo up top and play defensively to get the draw. The plan worked as the Portugese frustrated the Brazilians by always havin 4-5 guys in front of the ball, forcing Brazil to shoot many long range shots. Portugal never really threatened Julio Cesar but their objective was achieved. Then came the bad news… Spain had won their group, group H, therefore setting up a Portugal/Spain matchup in the eigth-finals. Throughtout th game Portugal keeper Eduardo played a world-class game. Stopping shot after shot and playing brilliantly, Eduardo kept the Spaniards wondering if they’d ever hit the back of the net. Then in the 63rd minute, Spain striker David Villa, who had been terrorizing the Portugese defense all game long, broke free after some masterful passing and hit a shot that was blocked by Eduardo’s leg, giving up a costly rebound. Villa would be as prepared as any top level striker should be and buried the rebound just under the crossbar for the goal. Portugal would up the attack for the remainder of the game but couldn’t score on world #1 Iker Casillas and the match ended 1-0 in favor Spain. After you would see many different emotions from the Portugese. Eduardo sat on the pitch in tears, Cristiano Ronaldo walked off in frustration, Pepe upset but also happy for his fellow Real Mardid mates Casillas and Sergio Ramos, and many in shock after playing their hearts out. It’s one of if not the toughest way to lose a game in soccer.
Portugal’s strong points in their 4 game run were as follows:
Keeper play: Eduardo who is known as a solid shot stopper proved to be just that as he stopped everything within reach, only conceeding the Villa goal in the 4 games.
Defensive play: Playing three teams with great strikers, the Portugese only conceeding one goal was an amazing feat. Going heads up with the likes of Villa, Drogba, Luis Fabiano and co., they were able to lock up the oppositions strikers and kept the ball away from their net.
Simao: A solid ball distributor, Simao played very well during the tournament in my opinion. Feeding balls to Tiago, C Ronaldo and Hugo Almeida, Simao was all over in the midfield and deserved to be recognized in Portugal’s success.
Negatives were:
Offensive attack: Understandably you would want C. Ronaldo on the attack, but when your teammates are in awe of your skills, it’s very hard to sustain a solid attack when it’s you vs 5 every time you have the ball. Also Portugal seemed content with ties against Ivory Coast and Brazil and it ended up costing them big time. Sure, opening up some might have cost them a goal but it also drastically improves your goal scoring chances and they failed to try attacking teams.
C Ronaldo’s shot selection: Coming in Portugal knew Cristiano was their ace in the hole but Ronaldo failed to really get any solid shots off in the four games. His best attempts were the post crusher against Ivory Coast and a free kick attempt vs Spain that forced his clubmate Casillas’ hand but never really put him in danger.
Loss of Deco: When Deco got hurt, Portugal’s midfield play dropped. Deco is a world class player and fantastic midfielder who would have definatley helped Cristiano and Almeida up top.
All in all I give Portugal a B rating in their 4 game stint. A solid showing against North Korea, keeping up with Spain and playing ultra cautious against Brazil and the Ivory Coast showed different sides of the Portugese. I believe that with a couple young players added and a healthy Deco/Cristiano Ronaldo combo the Portugese can come back stronger in 2014 and compete with the likes of Brazil and Spain for the title.
Darren
Posted by DABsportstalk 
