Portugal 4 x 1 Cabo Verde

[...] Portugal 4 Cape Verde Island 1 Striker Pauleta showed that he owns the Cape Verde Islands. The Portugal stud netted a hat-trick to lead his country over those green islanders 4-1 in Evora. Apparently the game was played in such brutal heat that play was stopped twice to allow the players to drink water. Armando Petit scored the other goal for Portugal. Methinks Cape Verde Island and Luxembourg should play each other next with the loser having to play American Samoa in a best of seven series in the dead of summer in Evora. [...]

Posted from  United States

I WATCHED THE GAME TODAY AND I’M VERY CONCERNED.

THE MIDDLE OF THAT DEFENSE NEEDS TO TIGHTEN UP.

THE MIDFIELD DID NOT SHOW ANY COHESION AND COLLECTIVE PLAY.

RONALDO -LOST HIS HEAD AND GOT A YELLOW THAT IN A REAL COMPETITION WOULD HAVE BEEN A RED.

THE TEAM LOOKED LOST.

FOLLOWING THE NT GAME , I WATCHED FRANCE VS. MEXICO THAT LOOKED LIKE A REAL WORLD CLASS GAME.

MEXICO VS PORTUGAL HAS THE MAKING TO BE WILL BE A WIDE OPEN BALLS TO THE WALL GAME. CAN’T WAIT FOR ALL OF THIS TO START.
CHAO VIVA ALEQUIDAO DA SERRA PORTUGAL.

Posted from  Canada

I agree with Kennedy. Ronaldo is supposed to be more mature 2 years later. I’m glad Scolari took his punk ass out. It’s time to rev up the engine boys. Only 2 weeks left. Força Portugal!

Posted from  United States

You can bet that the WC teams will try to get under Ronaldo’s skin. I’ve seen Mexico do that for years. Hopefully he can learn from this game.

gentlemam, the game was played in hot sun 40 degrees temperature. And “thin” air. In alentejo/évora is very hot and today was so far the hotest day of the year.
It is not conclusive this game.
Against luxembourg we could see something diferent from this.

Posted from  Portugal

Hi
do you think Gomes will play in the WC?

I love to see him play!!

Posted from  Sweden

Yes, the heat seemed brutal. I guess the elements can simulate the brutal heat of our opponents in the tourney. Regardless of the conditions, this game revealed that there is plenty to improve on. Força Portugal!

Posted from  United States

I think Portugal just played an OK game honesty I would give them a C+ considering who their opposition was. Why is Portugal playing such weak countries to prepare for the World Cup. Mexico played France. Also does anyone know why Andrade wasnt seleceted I saw him on the bench sitting with the coaches today and thought that was weird for a player that wasnt named on the team is he hurt?

Posted from  Canada

bjorn: gomes wil play, but as subsitute to pauleta. he will be fit until WC.

Posted from  Portugal

I saw it and in the begining I was also concerned. Seemed everybody was in slow motion.

Anyway, the one I really didn’t like was Caneira. As well as CRonaldo’s (who actually produced zero) little maniphestation, that would certainly give him acess to win the prize for “child of tournement”. And yeah, everybody’s going to tae advantage of that. On the other hand, absolutelly loved Miguel. The guy is always supporting the attack, but he’s so fast, he gets back to the the defense before anybody else.

In my opinion, in the first half we saw Petit kinda lost, running up and down. This changed with the entry of Costinha (never runs cos he’s always there already), liberating him. Petit also showed to be, like Maniche, the danger guys for that “rebound ball”, or the leftovers ball… Anytime one of them is around, they shoot to kill. They both have the most powerfull kick in the squad.

It also seemed to me that in the 2nd half, not only did Scolari put 2 strikers, we also saw the team with 3 defenders (Ferreira, Miguel and Meira), while R Carvalho would go up, acting as a midfielder. This also means a full change of strategy, as in the 1st half, with the usual team trying to go through the wings, CR and Figo produced nothing there and Deco was neutralized by CV’s midfield. This also means a game shifting to almost entirely through the centre.

Cape Verde surprised me(specially their winger #11, their #9 and their #8) and I expect Angola to be better. Their goal happened as a replay of a play they had done, only minutes before. Also loved CV’s hairstyles…:-) 4-1 isn’t that bad…

Posted from  Netherlands

Yeah, Bono, Andrade is injured and he won’t make it to Germany.

Posted from  Netherlands

Some player ratings off the top of my head:

Pauleta was very clinical and actually scored 5 goals (2 being disallowed) – It’s good to see our main striker in form at this stage.. I love his goal celebrations.

I’ve never seen anyone sweat like Figo did yesterday. He seemed rather sluggish however he’s got such ability with ball control and passing + vision that compensate the sluggishness.

Ronaldo was a no-show.. DID YOU SEE his girlfriend in the crowd? not bad ronnie! anyways.. i think they handled ronaldo very well. Their left back was awesome and very little danger came though that side.

Petit – nice goal.. “Encheu o pe” and buried it! I don’t think he played particularly well. He should be more careful with his tackles.. i have nightmares of the Joao Pinto red card type when i see Petit going in for the ball.

I think Caneira was awful.. no confidence.. and very hesitant and not really meshing with the team.

Deco had some nice moves however didn’t find the key to unlock the defence… He’ll be very important to our success…

Carvalho – brilliant and typical carvalho.

Meira – unlucky on the OG but i think overall performed well.

Miguel was impressive.

Second half was much better in terms of control and flow. I think the main difference was the introduction of Costinha.. I really hope he can find his form for this world cup.. Tiago also provided good control. I really like him as a player.. i wish he had more pace but definitely a player to bring on to finish the game.

I think Ferreira brought much more confidence in the second half to the back of the squad. Also he’s great gooing forward and very reliable.. Definitely a starting X1.

COCKSTER POSTIGA & QUIET VIANA? I just don’t see it yet..

Anyways.. overall i think it was an ok game.. It’s good to see them trying out new systems for different scenarios..

I’d like to see Portugal stop giving away first half erroneous goals. I would prefer to see portugal start more conservative and build up the game…

NEXT STOP: Luxembourg!

Cheers

Caneira didn’t impress me, but their (Cape Verde) #11 did. Played 3 times better than Figo and CRonaldo together. Ferreira also got a much tired CVI #11. But, no arguments, Ferreira is much much better.

Again, it’s not for no reason Costinha’s nickname is “The Minister”. I mean, there is no other poossible “trinco” as good and as tactical as him. Just look at the difference in Petit’s performance between 1st and 2nd half.

I actually liked Hugo Viana, kinda “forced” to actually be the playmaker – he is “discrete” but the guy has a lot of insight. However, the poor guy had to do it with 2 strikers and (basicly) no wingers. A rather atypical system for Portugal, with only Simao between him and strikers (flowing loose) and a crowded midfield of 5, when with the ball!

THIS can actually be our salvation if we want to play supported, against teams that are good on the counter.

Opinions…?

Posted from  Netherlands

I don’t understand why everyone is so in love with Pauleta. Sure he is the all time leading scorer for Portugal and yes he scored a hattrick and he was the leading scorer in France. but lets Analyze these abit better.

ALL TIME LEADING SCORER
he has scored impressive goals but look at the teams he has scored against. he scores big against the small teams and does diddly squat against bigger teams. proof of that lies in the last EURO. He is the ultimate choke artist. yes he scored a hattrick against who? CAPE VERDE no offense to them but they are no France, Brazil or even England. who cares about these friendlies. WHEN IT COUNTS DONT COUNT ON PAULETA

LEADING SCORER IN FRANCE
ok he i give him that. but dont make it like it was amazing. the french league isn’t much. it is not as competitive as the english or italian league (or portuguese for that matter).

Im just tired of hearing how amazing he is when to me he is the biggest choke artist.

Posted from  Canada

eh buddy what are you talking about do you remember the world cup portugal lost the first two games but won the last and howm many goals did he score 3.what about world cup qualifing he scored 11 goals the most in the european zone so if i were you i would take everything into concederation before you type some.oh by the way without pauleta portugal will have no forwards because nuno gomes sicks

Posted from  Canada

I was there!! My country, Cape Verde, played very well!! But Portugal has some of the world’s greatests, so adjustments in the defense my be the key to reach the 8 last teams at the competition. VIVA CABO VERDE!! FORÇA ANGOLA! FORÇA PORTUGAL! FORÇA BRASIL! FORÇA GANA! FORÇA TUNISIA! FORÇA TOGO! FORÇA COSTA DO MARFIM!

Posted from  Portugal

Just gotta put the act together and believe in one thing….They can do it like any1 else. Man 2 man battle and we’ll be okay!!!
Forca Portugal!!!!
Good Luck!!!

Posted from  Canada

We can’t be over confident… Just buckle up we are going for a World Cup Ride!!!
Who knows???
We can Win……beleive me!!!!

Posted from  Canada

Just had a review to the 3rd place match Germany vs Portugal…
A hard day for me, sitting between 16 germans and supporting Portugal…
And eventually bearing all the criticism and mockery…

However… Portugal will make it in South Africa!!! I’m sure about that!
Good Luck!