Portugal World Cup blog

http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/wp-rss2.php

Club Updates!
Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and Fabio Coentrao all started in Real Madrid’s brutal 3-1 loss against Barcelona. Ronaldo easily had his worst game of the season wasting two brilliant opportunities to score right in front of goal. As the game wore on he got more selfish and didn’t help his team’s chances at all.  [...]

Group of Death Round 2
Luck wasnâ€t on our side now for the second straight major tournament as Portugal has been doomed to the Group of Death once again in Group B alongside Netherlands, Germany, and fucking Denmark, AGAIN. Not to mention the toughest group stage ever in the Euroâ€s statistically (all teams in the top 11). At [...]

Portugal 6 ? 2 Bosnia! Better pitch, better results!!
Well, my bags are packed!! If 6 goals wasnâ€t a wake up call to the rest of Europe, then I donâ€t know what is. Where has that killer instinct been throughout qualifying? Each and every one of our players rose their game to a new level for this do or die encounter, [...]

Portugal vs Bosnia Herzegovenia, Calm Before the Storm
Even for a downright shitty pitch, the match was far too balanced for my liking. Bosnia was missing their top two defenders and we still couldnâ€t find the back of the net. Our midfield still looked sluggish and indecisive in the offensive third for the second straight game, and for the first time [...]

Danny/Silvio out again, Bosingwa retires?
If there was any speculation that Bento might shake things up in the starting 11 for the upcoming playoff legs against Bosnia, it has once again been put to rest as Danny and Silvio have both been ruled out due to injuries. Danny will miss his third important qualifier in a row for Portugal, [...]

Portugal Playoff Squad Announced
Paulo Bento has named his squad for the all-important two legged playoffs against Bosnia Herzegovina.Goal Keepers: Beto, Eduardo, Rui PatricioDefenders: Bruno Alves, Pepe, Rolando, Sereno, Fabio Coentrao, Joao Pereira, SilvioMidfielders: Carlos Martins, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Ruben Amorim, Ruben MicaelForwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny, Hugo Almeida, Helder Postiga, Nani, Nuno Gomes, Quaresma.And honestly why [...]

Denmark 2 ? 1 Portugal, Playoff Bound.
Well, two years later and here we are again.  Although instead of being relieved of making the playoffs, we are dreading it this time around.  Portugal definitely limped (literally) to the finish line of this Euro 2012 Qualifying campaign, but there appears to be one more final stretch.Player RatingsRui Particio: 7/10- Couldnâ€t really fault him [...]

Portugal: 5 ? Iceland: 3, Denmark next.
It wasnâ€t the most convincing of wins but our lacking squad still got the job done against Iceland 5-3. It was a great first half, and a half hearted second half. Poor decisiveness in the opposing teams half of the field and lazy/incompetent defense at times haunted Portugal in my opinion. [...]

Portugal vs Iceland Preview
The injury list is growing by the day, and Paulo Bento is quickly running out of options in various positions.  We started with Hugo Almeida, Pepe, and Fabio Coentrao all out due to injury.  Therefore Paulo Bento named this squad.Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Benfica), Beto (CFR 1907 Cluj), Rui Patrício (Sporting).Defenders: Bruno Alves (FC Zenit St Petersburg), [...]

Defenders dropping like flies?
The rollercoaster ride continues for Sellecao players on the club level leading up to the finaleâ€s of Euro 2012 qualifying. First, we have to take care of business with Iceland, and then four days later take on Denmark in a crucial final game that will leave only one team on top.Pepe and Fabio Coentrao have [...]