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England vs. Portugal
Match Odds: England v Portugal Odds /
28/06/2006: England's quarter final with Portugal is intriguing for a number of reasons.
First of all, it sees the next instalment of the "Big Phil" saga, concerning the Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari was said to have been the FA's preferred choice to take over as England manager when Sven Goran Eriksson leaves the post after the tournament in Germany.
Yet Scolari turned down the role, initially saying that he did not want to have his personal life invaded by the English press. He has now said that he felt he could not take the position because he had signed a contract with the Portuguese FA and agreeing a deal with England could put him in a difficult position.
That decision seems to have been a wise one from the Brazilian, as the Portuguese press would no-doubt be on his back now if he had agreed to coach England after the 2006 World Cup.
Secondly, the fixture has become something of a grudge match over the years. England beat Portugal on their way to winning their only World Cup title in 1966 at the semi-final stage.
Since then, Portugal have put England out of the European Championships in 2004, held in Portugal.
England had taken the lead with a Michael Owen goal, but after Wayne Rooney had to go off with a foot injury, Portugal took control of the game, although England managed to secure a draw during the 90 minutes and extra time, only to be undone in a penalty shoot out.
It will also be interesting to see how Portugal line up for the game, after their last-16 match against Holland turned into something of a farce, with two players being sent off from each team and a total of 16 yellow cards being dished out by the referee.
One of the players sent off, who will miss the England fixture as a result, is the side's playmaker Deco.
The Brazilian-born Barcelona player is perhaps the most important man for Portugal, so his absence will come as a major blow.
Many people argue that England play better against better opponents, so perhaps it might be worth putting a bet on Portugal to win the match, now that their odds have lengthened.
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Comments on: England vs. Portugal
28/06/2006: I think England will win the match.
29/06/2006: Let's be realistic here, the English team has shown no talent at all in this tournament. They have one of the best coaches in the tournament but no players worth mentioning. I am honestly surprised they made it this far.Portugal 2 England 0 and loads of cards for both teams.
29/06/2006: It's a fair point about England not showing their true worth but watch Steven Gerrard on Saturday control the game - he knows he is one of the best players in World Cup 2006 and will show his class against a weakened Portugal bereft of their only world class player Deco, an unfit Ronaldo and an ageing Luis Figo.
29/06/2006: Hey, I am sure we can agree on wanting to see an artistic football match in this World Cup. So far most of the games played were like a wrestling matches. Remember the aging French team and how they played the young energetic Spanish?
29/06/2006: England is still there and they are not playing well. With some talent I am sure they will make it. come on gerrard show your skills!
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