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Oh Petit…

July 8th, 2006 | By: Luis | 33 Comments »

Germany defeated Portugal 3 – 1 this afternoon in a game with a good amount of attacking football. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but at least it wasn’t that bad to watch. The first half was pretty even, but the Portuguese defense suffered when Petit entered the game. Petit didn’t look his normal self, failing to mark the two long range shots from Schweinsteiger. Unfortunately, he did manage to get a leg on a ball he should have allowed to go out. The result instead was an own goal.

Portugal managed to salvage the shutout when Figo and N. Gomes combined for a fantastic cross and header. Big Phil where was Gomes all tournament? We could have used that goal against France. Our movement was fantastic and we threatened often enough, but what happened to our finishing? Pauleta has, again, under performed when we needed him most. Gomes should have been given a chance earlier in this competition. It’s time for a new option up front.

Well, that’s it for Portugal in this Cup, but the work goes on. There is much to correct. There will be many topics for us to consider so please come back to this space. Posts won’t be as frequent, but they will continue. Let’s hope for a great final tomorrow.

Força Portugal!

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 33 comments.

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By Ro | July 8th, 2006 at 11:55 pm

Amzing game from the boys! But, I agree, Nuno Gomez is just magic – he should’ve played more. Pauleta should’ve been on the bench EARLIER in the tournament (I love him, tho). Petite’s nerves got the best of him. Great pass Figo, just a real sublime goal. I’m happy they scored. Not disppointed a bit the lost, they gave it their all. Thank you guys. (Anyone agree that Cristiano needs to remember that he is a part of a squad, rather than give us a show of his ball-artistic-handling talent? I love the kid, and I know he’ll only become better)

Forca Portugal!

Posted from Saudi Arabia

By nicolaricola | July 9th, 2006 at 12:04 am

Everyone talks about how great scolari is as a coach.

Today proved how poor his choice of players was on attack.

Couldn’t he see how poorly Pauletta was playing.

He should have went with…

Figo – Deco – Maniche

Ronaldo (in a totti/zidane like role)

Nuno Gomez (alone or with simao)

They would have beat france with that lineup.

Posted from Canada

By Stephen | July 9th, 2006 at 12:11 am

I am not a great statistician but hopefully some one will know this or can find this information on the internet for us.

In Euro 2004 and the World Cuo 2006 could we get the number of minutes played for Pauleta vs. Nuno Gomes and goals scored during those minutes.

Yes Pauleta lead all scorers in qualifying but when you play junk competition those goals do not count in my book.

Posted from United States

By what? | July 9th, 2006 at 12:17 am

What was with Lukas Podolski hand shake with the ref???
Why did no comentator say a word about that???????

Posted from Canada

By nicko | July 9th, 2006 at 12:23 am

Deco had a great game, Pauletta was below average, and Ricardo who might have gotten ‘goalie of the tournament’ should have stopped that first goal .
Still, if portugal can find a striker they’ll be a force again in switzerland/austria

Posted from Australia

By brittany | July 9th, 2006 at 12:23 am

would it have been different if Carvalho and Miguel played? And if nuno gomez played for longer?.. In my opinion our defence is normally solid, but today known of them knew how to play together. In my opinion Scolari should’ve kept Vanlente in and taken out Costa.

p.Fereira in my opinion played good.. Even though he’s nothing like Miguel, which is a greatt asset to the team. He is always playing well… Costa didnt know what he was doing..

Pauleta should’ve been subed earlier.. what was he doing. we missed 2 big oppertunities b/c of him..

Cristiano Ronaldo needs to stop diving. I use to be a huge fan of his, but he needs to shape up.. He’s giving portugal a horrible rep..

Germany has players who can score.. Unlike portugal.. which led to their victory. In order to be good in 08 we have alot of work cut out for us..

Overall im proud of portugal, but dissapointed with our offence.. We had no one who could score the whole world cup. Defence was great, but today it was REALLY OFFF.

Posted from United States

By flynn | July 9th, 2006 at 12:37 am

World Cup goal totals:

Ronaldo ; 1
Petite: 1

Posted from United States

By shark | July 9th, 2006 at 12:48 am

i love c.ronaldo, but i thought he played really badly. the worst i’ve seen. he did quite an obvious dive, which is never good, but mainly he just seemed flat. didn’t really go for it. usually he’s so exciting to watch, but at times i thought he looked bored.

Posted from Australia

By lala | July 9th, 2006 at 12:52 am

Congratulations to Portugal… You got a lot further than 28 out of the world’s best teams.

Posted from United States

By 2008isOurs | July 9th, 2006 at 1:42 am

Germany was better in the first 15 minutes, then Portugal definitely played better. Good midfield passing, just great and beautiful as well. With that midfield, the defense at full power (Miguel, Valente, R. Carvalho and J. Andrade), a GOOD striker, and they will play a beautiful, amazing and efficient football. I think Nuno Gomes is way better than Pauleta, at least he fits better in the tactic Portugal is using… he is very good playing with the head (he often scores like he did tonight in Portugal), and he also is a good deliver, not only a pure-striker.

Also, Pauleta and Figo retired today, the 1st one is not a bad new (afterall even Petit scored as much as Pauleta), the second is worse: but our problem definitely isnt there, Portugal mass produces wingers ^^ We already got Simão and Ronaldo, and if those are great wait to see Quaresma in 2008

Anyway a victory of Portugal would end in no party at all, so im happy for German team, they are young and kinda deserved it. 3-2 would reflect the game better though…

Only one bad note, the reaction to Ronaldo, being booed AGAIN… he “only” dived two times and did a great game, he is clearly growing. Podolski dived ONE time, and he still dares to pat the referee in the back after doing it… (second time he does it). Is Podolski really better than Ronaldo? Not today not ever. At least while in this planet. I disliked Ronaldo before this WC, but i totally support him now. He played a great game, he is fast, good passing, great technique, awesome kicking, and his words surprise even more: he totally doesnt care about the lost prize, and said “playing with passion is more important than that and its what really fascinates me”. He is also sad with Man Utd for not defending him… what kind of club does that anyway? LOL. Go Chelsea Go!

And just a sidenote, the official “diving” counter said:
Portugal – 4 (C. Ronaldo x2, Maniche x1, Deco x1)
Germany – 3 (Podolski x1, Jansen x1, Klose x1)

Reading the British press, i would expect him to dive 10 times or so, right? I have only one word for them: E-N-V-Y.

One last note. Respecting to the Most Entertaining Team prize, by 17:00 today, Portugal was ahead with 77% of votes, with a total of 300.000+ votes, and by 20:00 they had 37%, with a TOTAL of ~220.000 votes. The number of votes was drastically reduced and, curious or not, Italy remained pratically with the same number (thus raising the percentage from 8 to 35%). And im totally surprised when i check it by 22:00, and the vote counter is not there, being Italy first with two more percentual points. Good thing, currently Portugal is ahed with 43%… and by what we saw in this whole cup, if Portugal loses the prize to Italy, FIFA is a shameless disgrace. Vote here:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/met.html

Posted from Portugal

By O Grande Trinco | July 9th, 2006 at 2:04 am

First of all, to correct spelling, it should be Petit.

Secondly to correct pronunciation (which English announcer and possilby many here) have souned Petite, it is Petit (Pe-Tee), just like it is pronounced in French.

I thought it was a great game, lots of great passing and Pauleta definitely got service today. And so we are faced with the question, I hope he stays on the team, but as a sub and a reserve just in case. POR needs to find striker/formation for future. Maybe the answer lies with the young Vaz Te, maybe the interim will be Postiga, the future is certainly cloudy.

Overall, great game for Portugal IMO, and congratulations to Germany!

Lets hope for a cracker tommorow!

By SoccerFan | July 9th, 2006 at 3:22 am

I am very proud of Team Portugal’s accomplishments in this world cup!

FORCA PORTUGAL
NACAO VALENTE E UNIDA!

And guys let’s not become sore losers! The guys did their best the ball is round and it just found itself in the opposing team’s net!

Hopefully this was just a taste of what’s to come from Team Portugal…I think youngens coming up will be a force not to be reckoned with!

Thank you!

FORCA PORTUGAL

Posted from United States

By My Thoughts | July 9th, 2006 at 3:33 am

I think this match with Germany was the worst match the Portuguese team played. I agree with a lot of people on Pauleta. I think if we had Nuno Gomes the outcome of both France and Germany may have been different. I think that we have the best team as far as having possession and passing the ball but need a lot of work at actually making those goals happen (after all that is the key to winning).

I felt for the team. I think they were still down from the loss with France. They deserved to win it. I feel the referee sometimes chooses the outcome.

I am very disappointed with the way Portugal is portrayed. I can’t listen to ESPN or ABC. They are always for the opposing team. If Portugal starts to win then they start to say nice things about our team (but only then). For example, today they said Portugal went on for 200 and something hours without scoring a goal. Meanwhile if the opposing team does something bad, they turn it around to make it a positive. Anyone else in on me with this?

Then there’s FIFA. In my opinion, they don’t like our team very much. Remember the time when everyone thought Ricardo should have received the Man of the Match award (England match) and they gave it someone else. Then there’s Ronaldo. Did anyone notice that he had the highest percentage of votes by the people on the FIFA site for the Gillete Best Young Player Award. Look at how many people hate him because of his talents. I don’t think Podolski deserved to get that over Ronaldo.

I knew we weren’t going to win this game before anyone scored. I don’t think it was Fair Play by the referee. I’m not saying we played better than the Germans. I just think that we get in trouble for everything. This will lead into the diving. All teams do this but there are teams that are professionals at this. For example, that game w/ France. I believe that was a dive and then that’s when Zidane got the penalty kick. I think the referee chose the outcome and made a bad decision by giving him the penalty kick. If that had happened to our player, we’d maybe get a throw in or it would go unnoticed.

I hope that our team can earn the recognition it deserves because I’m disgusted with ESPN/ABC/FIFA/etc.

To our players – we love you. Forca Portugal

Posted from United States

By Monica | July 9th, 2006 at 3:45 am

I just want to say how proud I am of Portugal for coming as far as they did. I thought they played beautifully throughout the entire tournament. I have more love for those men then words can say, and I thank Scolari for seeing their strength and believing in them too.

Beijos to you all!!!!!!!

By My Thoughts | July 9th, 2006 at 4:05 am

ooops…I say 200 something hours. It’s 200 something minutes.

Posted from United States

By Bono | July 9th, 2006 at 4:11 am

Why is no one mentioning Porto’s Hugo Almeida as Portugal’s next striker I think he is a natural striker that loves attacking the ball unlike Pauleta who likes to use his speed and agility to score. I also want Portugal to go to a 2 forward formation I know in friendlies Scolari tried it during 2nd half of games but 1 striker cant do it in todays game.

By samantha, | July 9th, 2006 at 4:18 am

I thought the game was played pretty well… esp Portugal. they put in much effort and all. Petit don’t blame yourself, you didn’t want it to happen either. anyway, Portugal just rock on! you guys are the best! Cristiano rocks too!

Posted from Singapore

By mark | July 9th, 2006 at 4:34 am

we can take da postives out of this game..we still have a goal scorer in the like of nuno gomes..juz hope he gets da nod ahead of postiga in the future..we have exciting talent down da flanks in siamo and ronaldo..with boa morte on da the bench..rising stars like tiago and quaresma and a solid defence..wonder though who will be da nxt portuguese captain?

shortlisted a few:

simao
nuno gomes
maniche
ricardo

thoughts from u guys on who will be da nxt captain?

Posted from Singapore

By Alex | July 9th, 2006 at 6:11 am

Well, regarding the above comment on Ronaldo and his ball antics, he dose a very good job of it and he manages to keep the ball from opponents fairly well. I dont see where he lacks team coordination. My opinion, he should have driven the ball to the goal more than what he actually did. I think he is more on target than some of the other forwards like Simao and Maniche.

Posted from United States

By Thanks Portugal | July 9th, 2006 at 6:19 am

Lets give a very big thank you to all portuguese player, they got more then they sould, they fought like warriors, played against 13 player and they won…

Thank YOU FIGO & Pauleta, you will be missed… for the others, see ya.

I just hope Italy wins so we have som sort of justice….

Thanks to all of you who faught so bravely.

Posted from Sweden

By Bono | July 9th, 2006 at 6:36 am

The captain usually goes to the player with the most CAPS. In this situation i would say Nuno Gomes if he is a regular starter or Petit

By Thomas | July 9th, 2006 at 7:34 am

I must admit that I gained a disapproving attitude towards the Portuguese team because of the much too frequent diving during this world cup.

But I also admit that I much more enjoyed the play of your team today. I thought they showed a lot of heart when they continued to press for a score even when the game went out of reach.

And their play was much better when they realized the referee had no sympathy for attempts to draw a penalty and they had to earn their goals by courage and skill.

As far as the Portuguese fans who post on this site, I must say that I have been very impressed with the positive and civilized tone of the vast majority of your messages — even in the face of heavy criticism.

It makes me think of the Portuguese people in a positive light — and makes me hope that you will set expectations for your national team to adopt a similar commitment to honor and beauty in their style of play.

Best of luck to you Portugal.

By Holly | July 9th, 2006 at 8:36 am

( I know this is a lot but just read it, J I have a lot to say I guess.)

I just wanted to say that even though Portugal did not win, i still believe they won our hearts. Not once did you see they give up. I appreciate all the hard work and effort they showed us. I think they deserved to win against not only Germany but also against France. I was very upset about the outcome, and brought me to tears. These men have a lot of heart, talent, and determination. I understand many of you are upset because of the way they performed today but you can’t blame it on just one person. Its a team effort. I know that Portugal had PLENTY of opportunities to get a goal and WIN and yes they could have but give them credit for trying their best and giving it their all. Ricardo is still the best goalkeeper, today he just came up short. What does make me think is why didn’t they take out Palleta or Petit earlier, the coach saw them struggling, so why not put in a sub and see what they can do??? Scolari just had a poor choice of players today. They came in 4th which isn’t bad at all. Yeah 1st would of been better but they will get better and we’ll see them soon.

And also, I’m tired of people critizing C. Ronaldo. He has always been amazing to watch, and to think he’s only 21? Wait until he gets better than what he already is. I’ve always liked him and will continue to support him. He is a young player with ALOT of talent. He does nothing wrong but try and win for his country. I got tired of people booing him every time he got the ball. I believe its called “jealousy”. And i was hoping he would score a goal against the Germans to prove them all that he belongs here. And I am proud to have him on this wonderful team. Oh and that whole Rooney thing is a bunch of crap, he deserves to be suspended what kind of man would step on a man’s private and than push another player right in front of the Ref?? I mean how can you people say its Ronaldo’s fault? He didn’t ask Rooney to push him did he?? No. So stop with the non sense. And for God sake stop booing him!

Also, I agree that the commentators on ABC/ESPN were always saying negative things about the Portuguese. They didn’t give them enough credit.

And that handshake by Podolski with the Referee? i mean seriously what is that?

I’m tired of seeing bad calls made by them, esp. that penalty which lead to the France victory. If it wasn’t for that i truly believe Portugal would have won. The refs. just thought they had the authority to do whatever they pleased.

But its over and done with and all you can say now is Thanks to all of the players who showed us some good futbol. Players who had a lot of heart and spirit. And players who made US the fans proud. We will miss you Figo, you really were a big part of the team!

So i am proud to say I’m from Portugal. So thanks for a great adventure. In my mind Portugal is the 2006 FIFA WC Champs!

(Go Italy! Beat the French)

Beijols!!
*Forca Portugal!*

Posted from United States

By Ricardo | July 9th, 2006 at 4:22 pm

next national team captain should go to Jorge Andrade, a very very very missed man in the back this entire tournament, i don’t think it should go to petit or nuno gomes those two arent leaders at all if a bit on the hot head category.
forca portugal todos pelo futebol!

By Tina Barreto | July 11th, 2006 at 3:49 pm

Well wat can i really say about portugal they ave played well and that we ave great players like Cristiano Ronadlo, Nuno Gomes, Deco, Simao and i ve to say that they r all da best but i think if scolari had put Nuno Gomes in the last two games i think that portugal could ave won the world cup and i really can’t wait to see them again play in euro 2008 i really think they gonna win euro 2008 and i cant wait to see my Babe Cristiano Ronadlo play again he is fit as any thing i wish i could go out with him am aslo portuguese like him and that Ricardo is the best goal keeper i ave ever seen in my life just keep up all the gud jobs guys all my love to u luv u always Tinaxxxxxxxxxxxxx i really luv u Ronadlo

Posted from United Kingdom