World Cup Semifinals Country Profile: Portugal
Fourth appearance. Best performance: Third in 1966.
First-Round Results: Beat Angola 1-0, Iran 2-0 and Mexico 2-1.
Second-Round Result: Beat the Netherlands 1-0.
Quarterfinal Result: Beat England 3-1 in shootout after 0-0 tie.
Stars: Goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira was superb against England, blocking a booming free kick by Frank Lampard and stopping three penalty kicks during the shootout. Luis Figo did well in the first round, then Maniche and Ricardo lifted Portugal against the Dutch.
Outlook: The Portuguese will be without midfielder Armando Petit, but they seem to have a knack of succeeding in less-than-ideal circumstances. They beat the Dutch despite Deco and Costinha getting sent off, and advanced past England without the two. And Luiz Felipe Scolari knows how to win at the World Cup. He led Brazil to seven straight wins and a fifth title four years ago, and has Portugal unbeaten in this tournament.
First-Round Results: Beat Angola 1-0, Iran 2-0 and Mexico 2-1.
Second-Round Result: Beat the Netherlands 1-0.
Quarterfinal Result: Beat England 3-1 in shootout after 0-0 tie.
Stars: Goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira was superb against England, blocking a booming free kick by Frank Lampard and stopping three penalty kicks during the shootout. Luis Figo did well in the first round, then Maniche and Ricardo lifted Portugal against the Dutch.
Outlook: The Portuguese will be without midfielder Armando Petit, but they seem to have a knack of succeeding in less-than-ideal circumstances. They beat the Dutch despite Deco and Costinha getting sent off, and advanced past England without the two. And Luiz Felipe Scolari knows how to win at the World Cup. He led Brazil to seven straight wins and a fifth title four years ago, and has Portugal unbeaten in this tournament.
Portugal will welcome back Costinha and Brazilian-born Deco from suspension, and that will give Scolari more options in midfield. The two were among a record four players ejected when Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the second round.
Like Zidane for France, veteran forward Luis Figo is performing well for the Portuguese and Deco's return means he may play on the wing. But he'll have to get past Claude Makelele and Vieira if is to get anywhere near the French defense.
posted by 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany at 2:02 AM
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