Outright Odds: 22/1
Group D Winners: five/six
After a disastrous 2002 Earth Cup, through which they finished base in their group adhering to defeats by both equally the United States and South Korea, Portugal will be seeking to ultimately live up for their prospective on the Worldwide phase.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten within their group and concluded 7 factors very clear at the top. Portugal meant enterprise With this team, Placing eleven earlier Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering 2nd-favourites 바카라사이트 Russia seven-1 in your own home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Big Phil to his buddies, has created a new workforce to interchange the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and others While Luis Figo, now moving into veteran status and outside of retirement, might be existing in Germany. Irrespective of guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and emphatic Earth Cup qualification, the public remain not convinced He's the man with the job.
The groups core is based close to four gamers who gained 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 give a good base to the attack-minded stars to mess around.
Attacking players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the side beautifully and produce several probabilities for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios record of forty one Intercontinental goals with an impressive haul of eleven in qualifying, making him the European zones top rated goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals with his competencies and coveted action-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying targets from midfield, elevating his Fantasy Soccer inventory considerably.
Portugal have the many makings of a Globe Cup successful facet: a strong defence, Outstanding high quality and goalscoring likely from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their principal downfall appears to generally be the goalkeeping place. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are the two vying with the jersey Even though the supporters preference appears to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran of the 2002 World Cup side, 36-calendar year-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris closing 23 in the Euro 2004 squad.
Encouraged Wager:
The underachieving squad with the earlier have Practically all been changed by a completely new crop of younger expertise. Previous stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will try to find a remaining swansong, While using the latter a sound Just about every-way guess for major goalscorer position.
Portugal to earn Team D @ five/6
E/W Pauleta as best goalscorer @ forty/one