What the hell was the coach thinking starting baia and Jorge Costa............ he just sighned portugals death warrent.. looks liker portugal aint playing very well..........
looks like portugal is fighting back Nuno gomes just hit the post.prtit just missed the net on a shot and boa morte almost scored from a cross and by the way.........cypress is beating france 1-0
Who do you think..............Portugal....... anywaz..............the game ends in a 1-1 tie. overall a bad performance by portugal. nuno gomes should have scored on some of his chances.........
BBC game summary: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/2242638.stm BBC game pictures: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/photo_galleries/football/2242897.stm
I paid my $19.95 and watched the game on PPV with Directv. Nothing special in the first half. The game started slowly, then England picked up the pace and had some very good oppurtunities. Rui Costa...not to much from him today. Simao was almost invisible, and Pauleta was no were. Missing the aggresiveness of JVP and his recovery of possesion. Figo had some decent flicks but nothing special today. Defence was tested and seem to hold tight untill Meira let Alan Smith slip in front and rocket a header into the net. Baia didn't even move. Beto was solid, Rui Jorge had one good shot and seemed to be back in the flow. Couto was solid as usual. Baia seemed to be attentive and sure handed today, but Ricardo should have started. Petit played well and looks to be back in form after early season injury. Second Half both teams subsituted freely, and once the youngsters got into the flow of the game Portugal seem to take control. Better ball possesion. Nuno Valente looked good. Hugo Viana had some great looking passes and Boa Morte may have solidified his place on this team. Remember just a friendly and England were without Beckham and Scholes, Campell.
England miss Becham and company we miss Xavier, Jorge Andrade, Joao V. Pinto and the best goalie in Portugal soccer at the moment Quim. If Quim was the goalie from one of the big three I guarantee, he will be the starter.
Frank, I don't think we missed Xavier. In the 3x4x3, he would have been in the position that Sergio played. And, while Sergio did not stand out, I would much rather have him working the right wing than Abel -- any day! Sergio came within 6-8 inches of a goal when his left footed chip just missed the David James' far post.
According to Agostinho he still have plans for Xavier, for the England game was not one of theme. I guess he wanted to tryout Paulo Ferreira, Joao Manuel Pinto and Nuno Valente and he was happy with all three.
That is what these friendlies are all about, especially the ones in the next year. He needs to figure out what players can really help him (assuming he is still there) in 2004.
I liked the team AO started against England except for Baia. And if Rui Costa keeps on playing the way he did, maybe we can slip Hugo Viana into his spot.
In fairness to Baia, he played pretty well. The goal was absolutely not his fault. There was nothing that he could do. He was much more consistent and steady in making decisions and handling the ball.
Question is going to be who is going to be the Porto goalkeeper, for the Gil Vicente game? Hope Gaspar can keep on helping the goalkeepers , I see some of his methods, they are great, the important part is to build is confidence.