Meanwhile, Portugal beat Liechtenstein 2-1 at Aveiro in a come-from-behind victory, putting Portugal through to WC2006. The last round between these teams resulted in a shocking come-from-behind draw, and Liechtenstein arguably could have won if not tied this match. They seem to have something over Portugal.
Portugal fielded a pretty strong side with notable absences of only Deco and perhaps Costinha and Miguel. Most of the match was pretty much a shooting gallery for Portugal (probably 35-5 in terms of offensive attacks), except that Portugal's finishing was horrendous and Liechtenstein capitalized on their few chances in return. Imagine a shooting gallery where a tin duck ricochets to hit you in the eye. Portugal looks like a solid squad for WC 2006, but they glaringly showed their weaknesses tonight: finishing and defending the counterattack.
Figo actually had a decent game creating chances, but was wretched at his own scoring chances -- including a Beckham-like PK lift. I have no idea why Paolo Ferriera starts at RB for this team -- once again he blew coverage that resulted in a goal, which included miscommunication with Ricardo at GK. But his offensive crosses and passes were good -- that guy should be a winger and not a defender. Where's Miguel?!
Big Phil made some substitution failures by waiting too long and making the wrong ones (midfield rather than attack). Nuno Gomes was brought in too late (82') for all their finishing woes, and he gave them the winner within a couple of minutes of being on the pitch. But this took place not long after Liechtenstein should have gone up 2-1 on a free kick that Ricardo punched out; the only thing saving a goal on the rebound kick was that another Liechtenstein teammate was perfectly positioned in front of goal to block it from going in.
Oh, and perhaps the worst blown ref call I've witnessed this year: a bouncing shot from Figo was deflected just over the net in front of goal by the fully outstretched arms of a Liechtenstein defender. Scandalous. But with Portugal's finishing, a PK probably wouldn't have made the difference. The win was more relief than jubilation for the squad.
Portugal fielded a pretty strong side with notable absences of only Deco and perhaps Costinha and Miguel. Most of the match was pretty much a shooting gallery for Portugal (probably 35-5 in terms of offensive attacks), except that Portugal's finishing was horrendous and Liechtenstein capitalized on their few chances in return. Imagine a shooting gallery where a tin duck ricochets to hit you in the eye. Portugal looks like a solid squad for WC 2006, but they glaringly showed their weaknesses tonight: finishing and defending the counterattack.
Figo actually had a decent game creating chances, but was wretched at his own scoring chances -- including a Beckham-like PK lift. I have no idea why Paolo Ferriera starts at RB for this team -- once again he blew coverage that resulted in a goal, which included miscommunication with Ricardo at GK. But his offensive crosses and passes were good -- that guy should be a winger and not a defender. Where's Miguel?!
Big Phil made some substitution failures by waiting too long and making the wrong ones (midfield rather than attack). Nuno Gomes was brought in too late (82') for all their finishing woes, and he gave them the winner within a couple of minutes of being on the pitch. But this took place not long after Liechtenstein should have gone up 2-1 on a free kick that Ricardo punched out; the only thing saving a goal on the rebound kick was that another Liechtenstein teammate was perfectly positioned in front of goal to block it from going in.
Oh, and perhaps the worst blown ref call I've witnessed this year: a bouncing shot from Figo was deflected just over the net in front of goal by the fully outstretched arms of a Liechtenstein defender. Scandalous. But with Portugal's finishing, a PK probably wouldn't have made the difference. The win was more relief than jubilation for the squad.
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.. We love you too, hun..
big brother kicked out, how amusing 
:strong: