Wrong coach. Too much emphasis on the "FIFA World Player of the Year" who was largely useless during the qualifiers, didn't score a single goal, and the team turned it around only after he was out with injury.
Even without that, this is a club with a little bit better solution at their historic Achilles Heel this time: Liedson is the most legitimate striker they've had this decade.
The only way for them to go through is to ensure he gets the service and not the other way around. The rest of this team simply cannot finish despite all their possession. And when their forward cannot score, you'd expect their midfield to get the job done. But they lack a Maniche who can shoot accurately from deep back.
With a lack of scoring, the question of going through then relies on their defense. Portugal made it through in 2006, in spite of setting a tournament record for most goalless minutes, because their D kept them in it. They are good at CB and not bad at fullback, barring injuries. But the DM is a big question mark.
On paper, this team should be a real contender. But under Queiroz they completely underachieve. Brazil will run away with this group, if not the Cup. Côte d'Ivoire should likely be second. Leaving Portugal and License to Kim Jong-Il duking it out for third. If DPRK brings the nukes, however, they could surprise everyone.
Even without that, this is a club with a little bit better solution at their historic Achilles Heel this time: Liedson is the most legitimate striker they've had this decade.
The only way for them to go through is to ensure he gets the service and not the other way around. The rest of this team simply cannot finish despite all their possession. And when their forward cannot score, you'd expect their midfield to get the job done. But they lack a Maniche who can shoot accurately from deep back.
With a lack of scoring, the question of going through then relies on their defense. Portugal made it through in 2006, in spite of setting a tournament record for most goalless minutes, because their D kept them in it. They are good at CB and not bad at fullback, barring injuries. But the DM is a big question mark.
On paper, this team should be a real contender. But under Queiroz they completely underachieve. Brazil will run away with this group, if not the Cup. Côte d'Ivoire should likely be second. Leaving Portugal and License to Kim Jong-Il duking it out for third. If DPRK brings the nukes, however, they could surprise everyone.
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this will happen only if del piero makes it the WC
