Match 30: Portugal x Korea DPR

Yes, but this is a must-win so how conservative can we play? What CQ needs to do is instruct the midfield properly to cover the full-backs when they go forward. We need the extra man on the wing to create some space for Ronaldo and Simao.

 

Queiroz will screw up big time once again. I can't see us beating NK.

 

Really?! You CAN'T see Portugal beating North Korea? Why must soccer fans be so melodramatic....?

 

I'm not being melodramatic, just realistic.

We have a NT coached by an assistant manager, a man who never won and who never will win anything relevant in his life. A real coach could perhaps get us to play decently; Queiroz can't, not even in his wildest dreams.

 

The reason why I can't see us beating the Koreans is because we don't have a decent coach. I've seen this movie before.

I could also add that there's some tension within the team that certainly doesn't help our cause but that tension exists simply because the coach is lousy and can't impose discipline and demand respect from his players (like Deco). All in all, it boils down to Queiroz.

 

Do or die for Portugal. Time to put up or shut up!

 

True.

 

Shouldn't there be a poll at the start of this thread?

How many of you realistically think North Korea can beat Portugal? I think that's only slightly unlikely BUT a tie is much more possible and probably what I would predict.

 

We are now in 1966 mode, a win is inevitable

 

And North Korea is in full upset mode so a win is inevitable.

 

I bet queiroz will use his fabled 4-4-2 diamond midfield lineup with no strikers from now on

-----------Eduardo------------
-----Carvalho----Alves--------
Miguel-----------------Coentrao
----------Pepe------------------
---Meireles-----Simao-----------
---------Deco-----------------
----Ronaldo---Danny----------

Man look at the substitutes bench, most of the players are so average or crap its not even funny.

Dark times now indeed.

 

They'll shit their pants after half time when Eusebio steps onto the field to save Portugal

 

Pepe isn't match fit. He shouldn't even be in this WC but I digress.

Our best chance is if Queiroz decides to pair Ronaldo with Danny or Liedson up front. I'd also field Rúben Amorim as right-back instead of Miguel or Paulo Ferreira.

 

Oh, no! He brought THE TOWEL with him! Kim Jong-il, what must we do?!?

 

I don't know what to expect from this game. I wasn't convinced that Portugal would win against CIV. But besides they didn't win, the team demonstrated serious flaws that i don't see how they'll be corrected on time to this world cup. Dark times, indeed, for portuguese football.

 

We lost against Greece in our 2004 opening match. Not only we lost, we seemed to have no creativity and Scolari looked completely unable to change anything due to his stubbornness against not playing the Porto midfield. We went on to play beautifully and reached the final. Yes, it was disappointing to lose the final against Greece again, but this were far from being dark times.

I'm not saying we're going to rock this tournament, but it's a bit early to be so negative. How many teams played poorly in their first match?

 

That european was different because we had a midfield prepared by Mourinho that was capable of playing automatically. Now, we have Deco in a bad shape, and he is crucial, we have Pepe recovering from an injury, and i don't see anyone capable of doing the number 10 position. Tiago is good but a litle slow. Meireles and Mendes have been doing their job but they are defensive players.

Our only hope is to adapt some players like Danny to that position, or change our tactic radically. And that, usually, don't work. Of course, CIV had a midfield that i don't believe that NK has.

 

I think we should forget the playmaker position and play with 2 dynamic midfielders instead. 2 That will bring flexibility in the offensive (supporting the striker and even appearing for crosses) and defensive (to not let the team get caught off guard).

At this point in time, one slow playmaker (Deco and at a lesser extent Tiago) to connect the wingers and striker is incredibly stupid. Leave the DM and 2 CBs behind. Our defense is one of the best in the WC and we can rely on the fast pace of Miguel and Coentrão.

 

After a slow start on the first game, the Portuguese team will certainly be motivated enough to give a great performance!

 

I still have hope that we will improve our performance and manage to pass the group. But there are certain limitations that i don't believe that will be overcome, that won't allow us to go far.

 

Portugal also had their best squad assembled since 1966, while on the bench scolari had Mourinhos legends to fall back on, which scolari did. He only started Deco, Carvalho, Maniche, Costinha, Valente together after the loss, even though the press called them to start.

Also no one on the bench currently can match that quality and even those that were on that bench...rui costa, simao, nuno gomes still good etc.

Who can match the quality of Maniche, Costinha, Deco in his prime, Miguel at fullback in his prime...Figo-Ronaldo on the wings.

Face it, this team is a shadow of its Euro 2004 counterpart...lets not forget the Cb of Carvalho-Andrade(preinjury, voted best central defender in Espanha)

I think Queiroz will revert to his 4-4-2 strikerless Diamond as I said before, if not, Danny will be on the bench for Liedson.

 

--------------Eduardo-------------
-------Carvalho-----Alves----------
Amorim-----------------------Coentrao
------Mendes------Deco-------------
Ronaldo-------Danny----------Simao
-------------Almeida--------------

 

I wouldn't replace Meireles for Pedro Mendes, and, instead Deco and Danny together, i would chose Tiago as number 8, and Deco or Danny as number 10. As for the right defender, Bruno Amorim seems the only player in a good physical condition, but i don't know how well he play on that position.

Changing to 4-4-2 is a possibility to consider.