Bosnia looked like complete rubbish for the first 40'. They played like they were Uzbekistan. Portugal had their usual problem of tons of control but no real finishing. Liedson was dangerous as center forward but too often was set up as the setter and not the finisher.
Then Bosnia started to control the ball better and use some of their height advantages. By the second half they were contesting balls a lot better in midfield and gaining a lot more possession. Then Querioz subbed out Nani for no sensical reason and Portugal lacked any teeth in attack. Bosnia just lacked natural finishers and a little luck to convert -- but set up far better chances than Portugal did in the second half.
1-0 is probably a fair result.
And Paulo Ferreira remains one of the worst right backs to ever play for a Top 20-ranked national team in modern times.
That's the thing about International Football, unless Ita, Bra, Ger, Ned, Spa, Fra, Por, and Eng are playing each they will prevail in a game against the rest of the world 97% of the time.
Bosingwa is 20x better than Ferreira, who is an instant turnover. Not once did he manage to get a teammate to touch the ball for more than 1 second after he gained possession in the match. And to his credit this time, he did not pull a boneheaded defensive blunder. He's the Portugal NT's version of Molinaro.
Well Bosnia can't afford to loose a goal at home, because then they need a miracle. If Portugal don't find the net, everything is possible. I still have a hope for a positive result there.
Well Bosnia can't afford to loose a goal at home, because then they need a miracle. If Portugal don't find the net, everything is possible. I still have a hope for a positive result there.
Bosnia are far form out of this. As usual, I have low confidence in Portugal's ability to score -- particularly in open play. They often get lots of possession but rarely put together threatening shots on goal. Liedson is their only hope to break that.