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Portugal - Team Profile
30/03/2006
Considered in recent years as underachievers Portugal go into this year's Fifa World Cup with less expectation on their shoulders and providing their squad stays fit they have an excellent chance of securing a first World Cup title and a second for coach Felipe Scolari. "Big Phil", as he is affectionately known' guided Brazil to success in the last tournament in South Korea and Japan. He coached Portugal to reach the final of Euro 2004 losing out to an organised Greece side in the final after luckily knocking out England in the quarter finals.
Almost all their first choice eleven are household names with the ageing Luis Figo being the most famous. Now with Inter Milan after a long spell with Real Madrid, Figo is not certain to start but could still play an important part in some of the matches. The heartbeat in the team is the diminutive Deco who plies his trade with Barceleona in the Spanish league. A Champions League winner with Porto he has become an integral part of the Portugese side and looks set to make his mark on this tournament. Along side him will play Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's tricky playmaker. His excellent ball control and shooting skills will make him a popular player at the tournament and throughout Portugal if they progress as well as they expect. Another two from a number of candidates will make up the midfield. Chelsea's recent acquisition Maniche is one possibility as well as Pedro Mendes, a bit of a failure at Spurs but scoring regularly now he has joined Portsmouth. Chelsea fans will remember Tiago who left Stamford Bridge for Lyon last season unhappy at his place in a squad rotation system. They could also call upon Simao whose goal for Benfica saw off the challenge of the mighty Liverpool to regain their Champions League crown. Hugo Viana, a disappointment to Newcastle fans in his short spell there, has regained some of the form that saw him win Young European Player of the Year in 2004.
Up front they have four options to choose from. Paris Saint-German striker Pauleta could lead the line alongside veteran Nuno Gomes of Benfica or Fulham's Luís Boa Morte. Another option is ex-Spurs striker Helga Postiga.
They look to have one of the easiest groups with Angola, Iran and Mexico the teams who will be trying to stop them getting into the second phase.
Comments on: Portugal - Team Profile
13/11/2006: flavio
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