All over in Eindhoven. Final score: Holland 1:1 Portugal Kluivert (17) Simao (85) http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-netherlands&prov=reuters&type=lgns Can't add much b/c was not able to see the game. Did anyone get a chance to watch it? I'd be interested in any impressions.
From what I read Kluivert struck in the 1st half, the 1st half was pretty even I heard. I also heard Holland clearly outplayed Portugal in the 2nd half and missed a lot of chances. Simao or someone had a late equalizer.
This match report gives a better sense of the game: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=97250&cc=5901
I listened to the game. From the sounds of it, Portugal really controlled play in the first 20 minutes. Figo and Costa were all over the pitch, and Simao really squandered a one-on-one opportunity with Van der Sar (I caught that one of the highlights today on RTPi). The Dutch took over for the next 50 minutes or so, with Kluivert scoring a goal and Ricardo preventing more damage. However, thanks to Deco and Viana, Portugal regained control for the last 20 minutes. Simao scored, Nuno Gomes missed barely and Viana nearly won the game with a blast from just outside the area that was saved beautifully by Van der Sar. All in all, another good result for Scolari. BTW, the game will be televised Thursday afternoon (4:15pm) on RTPi.
Simao and Luis Loureiro with best rates of the Holland game surprise to some the play of Luis Loureiro and Simao, Luis Loureiro plays for Gil Vicente a 5th place team and looks like is on the Sporting and Benfica 04/05 list of players 5 perfect 4 excellent 3 good 2 fair 1 poor 0 very poor 24 horas ratings Ricardo 3 Miguel 2 Fernando Couto 3 Meira 2 Rui Jorge 3 Tiago 2 Maniche 3 Rui Costa Figo 3 Pauleta 2 Simao 4 Subs Luis Loureiro 4 Hugo Viana 3 Sergio Conceicao 2 Deco 3 Nuno Gomes 3 coach Scolari coach 4 ref Meier [Switzerland] 4 __________________
A couple thoughts after watching the match: Overmars owned Miguel on Portugal's right side for the better part of the game. I know Overmars is fast, but he flew down the flank and was IMO the biggest threat the dutch side had. I'm relieved that Scolari is grooming a few central defenders and starting to work them into the lineup. I thought Meira played decently today, and we also have Jorge Andrade coming along... I was pleasantly surprised with Luis Loureiro's performance. When he came in for Tiago, I had no idea who he was, but now I'm hoping Sporting gets him quickly to shore up the midfield. Viana also played well, glad to see him back from injury. All in all, I'm most excited about all the new faces on the selecao. Loureiro, Tiago, Maniche... Rui Jorge hadn't been called up for a few games, and he came back and played a solid game. I like how Scolari is mixing things up, sending everyone the message that no one's place is secure and we have very capable players ready to play at any position.
I'm also glad that it looks like he has given the #1 spot to Ricardo. Nothing against Baia but Ricardo has earned his position. He always seems to play well on the National side and seems to make big saves when we need them. On a side note has anyone paid any attention to Conceicao? It looks like the guy is loosing it. I didn't think he played very well and I get the impression that Scolari is slowly eliminating him from the starting 11. I think we will see Simao take that position or even see Deco out of his norm and take a wing.
Re: Re: Portugal-Holland [R] Never the same since the knee injury that sidelined him for so many months. Baia still has some great moments -- saved a penalty that preserved the scoreless draw v. Lazio in Rome -- and I think overall plays well for Porto, but he's clearly been eclipsed by Ricardo. For what it's worth, I think Oliveira's decision to play Baia in the WC might be regarded as the key to portugal's downfall. Baia was at fault for at least two of the goals v. USA, and was simply embarrassing on the goal v. South Korea. I doubt Ricardo would have let in the latter, at least. dtoste--agreed about Conceicao. i think he peaked in the great hat-trick game against germany in 2000, and has been on a steady decline since. but glad to see there are youngsters who can step up and take his place.