Outright Odds: 22/1
Group D Winners: five/six
After a disastrous 2002 Planet Cup, wherein they finished bottom in their group pursuing defeats by both of those The usa and South Korea, Portugal might be aiming to ultimately Dwell up to their opportunity to the Global stage.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten in their team and finished 7 points obvious at the top. Portugal intended business enterprise During this team, Placing 11 past Luxembourg across two legs and hammering 2nd-favourites Russia seven-1 at your house.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Significant Phil to his pals, has developed a completely new workforce to interchange the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Other people Though Luis Figo, now getting into veteran status and out of retirement, might be current in Germany. Irrespective of guiding Portugal to the ultimate of Euro 2004 and emphatic Environment Cup qualification, the public remain not certain he is the man with the task.
The groups core is predicated close to 4 players who won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004. Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira and midfielder Maniche now all at Chelsea and Costinha, now at Dinamo Moscow provide a reliable foundation for that assault-minded stars to mess around.
Attacking players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the facet correctly and develop a lot of probabilities for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios file of forty one international objectives with a powerful haul of 11 in qualifying, creating him the eu zones best goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals together with his abilities and coveted action-overs. He weighed in with seven 바카라사이트 qualifying plans from midfield, raising his Fantasy Soccer stock noticeably.
Portugal have the many makings of a Planet Cup winning aspect: a stable defence, Fantastic excellent and goalscoring opportunity from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their most important downfall seems being the goalkeeping place. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are both vying to the jersey Even though the supporters preference is apparently out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran of your 2002 Entire world Cup facet, 36-year-aged Baia was omitted from Scolaris ultimate 23 from the Euro 2004 squad.
Suggested Guess:
The underachieving squad within the previous have Just about all been changed by a completely new crop of youthful expertise. Outdated stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will seek out a remaining swansong, With all the latter a audio Every-way wager for top rated goalscorer standing.
Portugal to acquire Team D @ five/6
E/W Pauleta as top goalscorer @ 40/one