2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Biggest Sporting Event on the Earth

Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts

Match 46 - Portugal vs Ghana

Kris

Portugal vs Ghana

Group G
Match 46 on June 26 at 1:00 PM Brasilia Time

Portugal  2 - 1  Ghana

        (Boye 31' (OG), Ronaldo 80')   (Gyan 57')                  
Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo

Match Updates

Lineups

Portugal: Beto, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Miguel Veloso, William Carvalho, Ronaldo, Moutinho, Eder, Nani, Amorim, Pereira

Ghana: Dauda, Gyan, Atsu, Agyemang Badu, A. Ayew, Rabiu, Waris, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye, Afful

Portugal

World Cup Record

25 Matches - W12, D04, L09

Manager

Paulo Bento, Portugal

Ghana

World Cup Record

11 Matches - W04, D03, L04

Manager

Kwesi Appiah, Ghana

Match Facts

Referee: Nawaf Shukralla, Bahrain
Head to Head: Portugal 1-0-0 Ghana
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Match 30 - USA vs Portugal

Kris

USA vs Portugal

Group G
Match 30 on June 22 at 6:00 PM Amazon Time

USA  Portugal

(Jones 64' Dempsey 81')    (Nani 5', Varela 90')                  
Man of the Match: Tim Howard

Match Updates


Lineups

USA

World Cup Record

30 Matches - W08, D05, L17

Manager

Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany

Portugal

World Cup Record

24 Matches - W12, D03, L09

Manager

Paulo Bento, Portugal

Match Facts

Referee: Nestor Pitana, Argentina
Head to Head: USA 2-1-2 Portugal
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Match 13 - Germany vs Portugal

Kris

Germany vs Portugal

Match 13 on June 16 at 1:00 PM Brasilia Time

Germany 4 - 0 Portugal

(Muller 12'(p) 45'+1 78', Hummels 32')                                
Man of the Match: Thomas Muller

Match Updates

Fulltime - German machine runs over Portugal and Ronaldo

00:30: Khedira's foul, one final opportunity for Ronaldo from freekick, on target but great stop from Neuer

Portugal still searching for their first goal, they look sedate today

01:21: Substitution - Hattrick hero Muller is replaced by Podolsky. Standing Ovation
01:18: Goal - Muller Hattrick - Shurrle shot blocked, Muller poaches on the loose ball and it's in
01:15: Ronaldo's shot, saved by Neuer, rebound towards Eder, he's taken down in the box, Portugal appeals for penalty
01:13: Substitution - Hummels collided with Eder, looks injured, replaced by Mustafi
01:09: Schurrle makes a run, no one ahead, he passes it to Gotze, shot deflected for a corner
01:05: Substitution - Coentrao is stretchered out, A.Almeida replaces him
01:03: Coentrao is down, seems to hurt his groin, he will be replaced then
01:02: Ozil is replaced for Germany, Schurrle is in
01:00: Boateng blocks Ronaldo's effort
00:51: Ozil shot, Patricio blocks it
00:46: Costa comes in, Veloso is replaced

Halftime - Ronaldo is largely ineffective, Germany in full control
00:45: Goal - Muller in the box, he scores. Terrible defending from Portugal. Kroos cross, Alves mishits it straight to Muller who finishes coolly

That was completely unnecessary from Pepe, referee didn't even award a foul there. he has a reputation for such behavior. Pepe might get an extended suspension for his act

00:37: Red Card - Pepe is out, he tackles Muller legally, but proceeds to headbutt him
00:35: Coentrao in the box, shoots, deflected out for a corner
00:32: Goal - Hummels heads it in, excellent corner from Kroos
00:30: Ozil is released, makes an excellent run, feeds Gotze, saved
00:28: Substitution - Almeida is leaving the field, he's replaced by Eder. No Postiga yet
00:26: Gotze tackles Almeida, he looks injured
00:23: Nani shoots from outside the box, just over the bar

Portugal dominated until that penalty happened, now it's all Germany

00:22: Moutinho fells Lahm, he's given a talking to by referee
00:16: Great cross into the German box, but Almeida is offside
00:12: Goal - Muller scores from penalty
00:11: Yellow Card - Pereira is booked for that challenge
00:10: Penalty - Pereira tackles Gotze in the box
00:08: Portugal goal is open, Khedira shot wide, great chance missed for Germany
00:08: Ronaldo setup again, makes a run from left wing, Neuer saves the narrow attempt
00:04: Ronaldo in action, first chance for Portugal, easy save for Neuer

The teams are out, Schweinsteiger is not starting. The game is a go

Lineups

Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes, Lahm, Khedira, Ozil, Muller, Kroos, Gotze
Portugal: Patricio, Alves, Pepe, Veloso, Coentrao, Ronaldo, Moutinho, Almeida, Meireles, Nani, Pereira

Germany

World Cup Record

99 Matches - W60, D19, L20

Manager

Joachim Low, Germany

Portugal

World Cup Record

23 Matches - W12, D03, L08

Manager

Paulo Bento, Portugal

Match Facts

Referee: Milorad Mazic, Serbia
Head to Head: Germany 9-5-3 Portugal
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K minus 3 days - Three Underdogs of the Tourney

Kris
In this edition, we look at the teams that have never won the World Cup but due to their vast talent have the caliber to cause an upset on any given day

Netherlands

They reached three World Cup finals and lost all of them, coming within an extra time goal of winning the 2010 edition. They knocked out former champions Uruguay and Brazil on their way to final only to lose against the clinical Spain. They only have one European Championship to their name and have gone winless in the 2012 edition
Netherlands Squad - Euro 2012
But what makes them the underdogs? With some strong performances in the qualifying, win 9 wins out of 10 games and a draw, they topped the UEFA Group D and grabbed the automatic qualifying position. Their midfield is ever stronger and has managed to gel efficiently with the strong frontline. Playmaker Sneijder, forward van Persie and winger Robben are in good touch
Their only concern would be that if they fail to beat Spain in their opening group encounter, they are bound to face Brazil and Uruguay, that would be tough when playing in South America, but the Dutch has beaten them in the last tourney and would be confident enough to beat any side on their day

Portugal

It is Cristiano Ronaldo's and if he's fit enough, he would be a handful to deal with against any team, as witnessed in the playoff match against Sweden where he scored all the four goals in two legs. If he's fit
While Portugal might not be just about their talisman player, although without him, they would be a lot vulnerable. And most of their prospects rests on the shoulders of this years best player
Portugal Squad - Euro 2012
Portugal never fared too well in the biggest tournaments, they reached semifinals of the World Cup just twice and their best European showing is the unlikely final loss to Greece in 2004. But with Ronaldo in exceptional form, and players like Pepe, Nani, Moutinho assisting him, they might get lucky this time

Belgium

Despite them being the founder members of the FIFA, they never made it big in the world stage, with just a single semi final appearance in the World Cup and a single final appearance at Euros. But the current squad looks like they are the kings of the underdog pack, they don't rely on one particular player. They boast a very good all-round team, talent covering all the bases - defense, attack, set pieces, corners, counter attack, flanks
Belgium Squad against USA in 2013 friendly
Belgium managed to score in every match of their unbeaten qualifying campaign, they have players like Hazard, Fellaini, Kompany, Lukaku, Courtois in their ranks, they play a fearless brand of football with a right mix of youth and experience. They are the ones to bank on when facing adversities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. They might be the team that could make a difference this World Cup and it would be a fairy tale if that happens
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K minus 5 days - Five Players to Watch Out For - Ronaldo

Kris
Even with Radamel Falcao and Franck Ribery ruled out and Luis Suarez in doubt, this World Cup still doesn't lack the stardom, the players who'd set the cup on fire with their amazing individual talent and game play. Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Robert Lewandowsky, Gareth Bale to name a few would have sizzled at the big stage but they are not here, at least not on the pitch
Let's look at five of the amazing talented players that make the beautiful game handsome

Ronaldo - Messi - Neymar - Robben - Iniesta

Cristiano Ronaldo

His form has been phenomenal this season, he successfully reclaimed the Ballon d'Or from Messi after four years of chasing the Argentine. Messi's injury troubles might have put him on a back step but while the Barcelona winger was struggling, the Real Madrid winger who was ever at his heels took over and took off. If you just take into account this season's performances, Ronaldo is a clear winner and the best man to watch this World Cup
Ronaldo scored a record breaking 17 times in Champions league including one in final and nine in group stages - another record, played his 400th career game, won Ballon d'Or, scored five hat tricks, scored his 50th Champions League goal, managed to score more than 50 goals in fourth successive season and described it as "the best form of his life"
Although injuries troubled the end season a bit, Ronaldo never likes to miss big games and revels at the bigger stage. The only blemish in his record would be that he could never guide his national team beyond the last 16 and the 29-year-old Portuguese captain would look to set that straight. If his performance against Sweden in the World Cup UEFA playoffs is of any hint of his talent, he single handedly knocked out Sweden scoring all four goals in the two-legged encounter, the bigger teams would be beware of him when they are bound to face Ronaldo

Ronaldo - Messi - Neymar - Robben - Iniesta

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Portugal World Cup Squad Announced

Kris
One-capped midfielder Rafa made it into the final-23 while Rocardo Quaresma has been left out by Portugal head coach Paulo Bento as he announced the roster who'd fly to Brazil for the World Cup. The other surprise is the inclusion of Andre Almeida, based on his strong late season
Bento stuck with the regulars from his qualifying campaign including Nani despite his struggles with injuries and form throughout the season. Rafa is expected to double up as an attacking option
Anthony Lopes, Antunes, Rolando, Andre Gomes, Joao Maria and Ivan Cavaleiro are the others that have been dropped
The biggest concern Bento would be facing is the fitness and recovery of his captain Cristiano Ronaldo and he would be assessed by the Portuguese fitness team after the Champions League final

Squad

Goalkeepers:
Rui Patricio (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders:
Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Neto (Zenith St-Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia)
Midfielders:
Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Strikers:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
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Portugal Provisional Squad

Kris
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is recuperating from his hamstring injury, has been named in the Portugal 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup. The Ballon d'or winner is expected to recover to feature in the Champions League final
Paulo Bento's Portugal squad also features Ricardo Quaresma and Nani in a strong squad but he has left out Danny and Adrian from the thirty. Surprise entries in the list are Rafa and Mario. Regulars Pepe, Chiellini, Coentrao, Moutinho and the emerging player Carvalho
Portugal's fate would be tied up Ronaldo's form as they are bound to face a tough knockout stage

FIFA has a deadline until June 2 by which all teams need to lodge their 23-member World Cup squads

Squad

Goalkeepers:
Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Defenders:
Andre Almeida (Benfica), Antunes (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentreo (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Rolando (Inter)
Midfielders:
Andre Gomes (Benfica), Joao Mario (Vitoria), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (SC Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
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April FIFA World Rankings

Kris
Spain and Germany remained the top two teams to beat but Portugal claimed the podium evicting Argentina down three ranks to joint 6th place with Brazil in the April edition of the World FIFA Rankings announced today. Colombia and Uruguay are the top South American sides ahead of the fan favorites although there isn't much room for complacency here as the top four CONMEBOL teams are seperated by just 12 points.
Greece gained 3 positions to complete the top 10 behind Switzerland and Italy. Netherlands is biggest loser of the top 16 world cup teams  dropping down 4 places to 15th Rank

Spain still have a cushion of 120.31 points at the top of the table and barring any major upsets, will retain its top billing at the end of the cup

About Rankings

FIFA World Rankings are supposed to reflect the whereabouts of a particular team's plight at the World Stage and the Rankings are more significant in a major tournament season like the approaching 2014 FIFA World Cup. Apart from assessing relative strengths of the competing teams, Rankings are used to determine the seedings, draws at the World events...
FIFA updates the Rankings every month or so which reflect the performance of a team over the last 4 years... Since the Rankings were introduced in December 1992 when Germany was announced to be the Top team, Brazil held the top echelon for the longest time
The next update of the Ranking would be on the 8th of May and then another one before the World Cup on the 6th of June... Spain is expected to retain the top position after the end of the Cup
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Portugal

Kris

Portugal - Group G (Germany, Ghana, USA)

Despite producing some of the best talents in football - Luis Figo, Eusebio, Cristiano Ronaldo to name a few, who can change the game on its face with inspirational displays, Portugal failed to find it difficult to make an impact at international stage. Their best performance in the World Cup so far remains their maiden campaign in 1966 England, where they finished in third place
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