Outright Odds: 22/one
Group D Winners: five/6
Following a disastrous 2002 Environment Cup, during which they completed base in their team pursuing defeats by both the United States and South Korea, Portugal will be trying to ultimately Reside up for their prospective about the Global stage.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten within their group and completed 7 factors clear at the highest. Portugal meant enterprise Within this group, putting eleven previous Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering second-favourites Russia seven-one at your house.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Major Phil to his close friends, has crafted a whole new staff to switch the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Many others Though Luis Figo, now coming into veteran standing and from retirement, are going to be present in Germany. Irrespective of guiding Portugal to the ultimate of Euro 해외스포츠중계 2004 and emphatic Earth Cup qualification, the public are still not convinced he is The person for your job.
The groups Main is predicated close to 4 players who won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004. Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo http://edition.cnn.com/search/?text=해외스포츠중계 Ferreira and midfielder Maniche now all at Chelsea and Costinha, now at Dinamo Moscow give a stable foundation with the assault-minded stars to play around.
Attacking gamers for instance Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the aspect beautifully and create several likelihood for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios report of forty one international objectives with a formidable haul of 11 in qualifying, making him the ecu zones prime goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals together with his expertise and coveted action-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying aims from midfield, raising his Fantasy Soccer inventory noticeably.
Portugal have all of the makings of the Planet Cup successful aspect: a solid defence, Outstanding high-quality and goalscoring potential from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their primary downfall seems to get the goalkeeping position. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are each vying to the jersey Even though the supporters selection appears to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran with the 2002 Earth Cup aspect, 36-12 months-previous Baia was omitted from Scolaris last 23 inside the Euro 2004 squad.
Advised Wager:
The underachieving squad from the previous have Just about all been replaced by a brand new crop of youthful expertise. Aged stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will seek out a ultimate swansong, with the latter a audio each-way guess for major goalscorer status.
Portugal to earn Group D @ five/6
E/W Pauleta as leading goalscorer @ 40/one