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Roster Analyses

May 15th, 2006 | By: Luis Paulo | 34 Comments »

Squad The list released by Scolari a few minutes ago had no surprises. It was very coherent with the previews lists. There is only one contradictory decision: the absence of Ricardo Quaresma.

Goalkeepers:

Ricardo was the logical choice. I was also looking forward to see Bruno Vale’s name on the list. Once that Quim is not playing, is important to have a replacement which are. Bruno Vale will bring an important experience from the Sub-21 tournament and the World Cup will be the best moment to get prepared to be the next #1 on the NT.

Defenders:

There is no arguing about Carvalho, Meira, Caneira, Miguel, Ferreira and Nuno Valente. It is a strong defense but both Miguel and Nuno leave the defense unguarded sometimes. This must be trained better. The choice of Ricardo Costa was a little surprise to me. Although he is a fine defender I was expecting to see Tonel due to his bigger experience. But I see no problem with the Porto’s defender.

Midfielders:

If it was up to me, I would make only one modification: I would call Quaresma instead of Simão. I know that Simão has a history on the National Team but in this right moment, Quaresma is better them him and most of all, he has a bigger skill to chance the course of the match. When I choose the replacements, I try to choose someone who can get into the game and add something new, something that the team lacks. Quaresma might be a riskier choice but that’s exactly why he should be capped: he would get on the game when Portugal needs to take risks.

I also liked to see the name of Hugo Viana on the list. Every team needs more then just one playmaker. He can be useful not only replacing Deco but also to chance the pace of the game.

Forwards:

No surprise here too. Nuno Gomes always makes difference on the important moments while Postiga can deliver well too. Pauleta is on his best moment and we hope he keeps that in Germany.

Tags: Final Roster, Portugal

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 34 comments.

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By Donny | May 16th, 2006 at 1:18 am

As previously stated in my other comment. Don’t get me wrong, I love Quaresma and I love watching him play. But in the I think he has not earned Scolari’s trust, this could be for 10 different reasons, if he would he would be on the squad. He ceratinly has more talent the Simão or Boa Morte. My reason for Scolari wanting Boa Morte on the team is because he trusts him. If he asks Boa Morte to do “X” he will do “X” not try to do “Y” or “Z”. Sometimes football is like hockey, sometimes the most talented team does not win. Sometimes the team whose players understand their role and are able to execute the proper tasks when called to make the biggest difference. That’s how less talented teams compete against the bigger teams with success and Portugal is the dark horse in this competition and not the favorite.

By Pedro P | May 16th, 2006 at 4:10 am

Check it out (in portuguese):

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-84/artigo553121.htm

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-84/artigo553184.htm

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-84/artigo553123.htm

By Pedro P | May 16th, 2006 at 4:13 am

And also

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-84/artigo553141.htm

By ab | May 16th, 2006 at 5:01 am

cristiano ronaldo and ricardo quaresma are the two portuguese wingers for the wc2010.

Posted from Portugal

By c.ronaldo | May 16th, 2006 at 6:45 am

Cristiano is the best

Posted from Thailand

By Ceasar Lourenco | May 16th, 2006 at 8:50 am

I think everybody agrees that Quaresma is a great talent and we just have to accept that he’s not going to be involed in this WC.

So said that, I would like to know your opinions on who our free kick expert should be? Which of the 23 players has the skills of a Totti or Junninho?

Posted from Canada

By Luis Paulo | May 16th, 2006 at 9:17 am

Ceasar, Deco and Ronaldo for close shots, Petit for long shots.

By Reactions to the World Cup Roster Announcements - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | May 16th, 2006 at 11:56 am

[...] There’s some good chatter on the Portugal blog where Luis Paulo and the blog readers offer up some excellent insight into Scolari’s selection. [...]

Posted from United States

By Pedro P | May 16th, 2006 at 12:17 pm

Simão is also an excellent free-kick”er”.

By Nick | May 16th, 2006 at 1:15 pm

Simao, Figo and Deco are good free-kick takers. Im not sure about Ronaldo’s free-kick ability. He is never consistent in hitting the target.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Gomes W. | May 16th, 2006 at 2:26 pm

Quaresma proved he has the quality and desire to be included in the “Seleccao”.
He is a diamond in the rough within in the context of Portugal’s International team. It is up to Scolari to develop him into the team and make him fit into his system. As mentioned before in a previous post, it is his explosiveness and ability to change a game that would be a possible trump that we could have on the squad if in fact the need arises.. Quaresma has not had great displays in the scolari’s squad, but we all know and his selection of #1 in the Superliga this year proves he should be on the squad. Forca!

Posted from United States

By Miguel F | May 16th, 2006 at 4:25 pm

Donny is not Portuguese. He´s from Morocco, just a sad guy.

Posted from Portugal

By Louie | May 16th, 2006 at 6:08 pm

i don’t know what we are all arguing about.. Mexico is looking good. Really good. We better beat Iran or Senegal. If we loose to either,, We are in a lot of trouble.

Posted from United States

By Donny | May 16th, 2006 at 6:44 pm

To Miguel F. I am Portuguese and I got the papers to prove it. Just because i have a different opinion does not make me any less Portuguese but it does make you look less tolerant. I carry my heritage proudly. Next time learn before you decide to insult people.

By Ben | May 16th, 2006 at 6:54 pm

Donny and Miguel F., you seem to have lost the true meaning of the World Cup. The Mundial is a time of shared national pride and brotherhood; a time when we can all, as Benfiquistas, Sportinguishtas, or Portistas, sing together in unison for a shared goal. I hope we can see a true vision of solidarity start on this website and continue on until the tournament.

As far as Quaresma goes, I’m also disappointed in his not being included. I worry about Figo’s durability during the World Cup, and think that Simao can be too easily pushed off the ball should he substitute Figo. Unfortunately, Boa Morte does not play the switching winger role as well as Figo or Quaresma. Having said that, I guess we’ll all have to hope for a healthy Luis Figo throughout the whole tournament.

Posted from Canada

By Luis Paulo | May 16th, 2006 at 7:44 pm

Louie, you are beting on Senegal? I’ll bet 1 billion dollars with you that Senegal won’t even win one single game on this World Cup. If you loose, you pay me only 1000 dollars. Is it a deal?

By soze | May 16th, 2006 at 7:58 pm

Pedro P.> Since you’re in Portugal for a couple of days, have a ‘Bola de Berlim’ for me. I loooove those things. Com Creme of course.

By kennedy | May 16th, 2006 at 8:06 pm

Kennedy says make love not war and ben you’re a good man.

Donny I can attest to your nationality you even went to the procedure of geeting your passpaort WHICH HELPED ME NOT WAIT IN LINE WHEN i ARRIVED IN PORTUGAL WITH YOU LAST SUMMER AT THE AREOPORT.

That said- when we play soocer again i will dribbe by yOu and twist you around with my moves until you come to your senses and say Kennedy my bro you are the man with the big banan and Quaresma SHOULD to be at the WC06.

Viva passion, viva love , viva my blog buddies because the time has come for me to say: Viva Portugal and Alequidao da Serra in port Mos ( mos amigos ).

What ’s up to the crowd back home that went with me and my bro to watch a benfica and Nt game in the Faro last summer- great company and times my friends.

I must say we had a great time and we have the pleasure of having a family member who makes part of the disciplinarian committe in Portugal that gave us some goodYS to keep.

Viva Portgal, Viva my Blog buddies -remember 1 thing together we will pray for victory .

So let’s make love not war.
P.S If any of you have hot female friends that put out let them know that Kennedy makes love not war… GOOOOOOlo Chao

Where can I get a sound track of the song that is played everytime they score.

Posted from Canada

By Maria | May 16th, 2006 at 8:48 pm

Would somebody be kind enough to remind Kennedy that he has a Greek wife and two children!!!

I supported Portugal through the Euro Cup, and I probably cried more than the rest of you when they lost to Greece. Portugal needs to dig a little deeper this time around and not let some half baked team come in an steal it from us.

Posted from Canada

By felipe | May 17th, 2006 at 3:48 am

boa morte is quick…i don’t think he’s a first teamer but i guess that’s the reason why felipao choose boa morte over quaresma…and simao got his long shot…i see quaresma as the shadow for figo…but felipao might want to have more option for his tactics and games..

quaresma…prove them wrong in the u21 and try again next world cup…

Posted from Malaysia

By Nick | May 17th, 2006 at 8:09 am

Kennedy, this is a reminder:
You have a Greek wife and two children

Posted from United Kingdom

By Ceasar Lourenco | May 17th, 2006 at 8:14 am

Kennedy, I think you just got busted dude.. haha

Posted from Canada

By Luis | May 17th, 2006 at 11:14 am

Dog house for Kennedy with no TV!
Can we all please put this Queresma thing to bed. He’s not going. As much as we loved to watch him play for Porto this year, he won’t be the same contributor for the NT. We all know that. I find all this sniping and criticizing silly. Figo is in great form…no worries there. Anyone putting down Boa Morte, didn’t watch him play for Fulham this year. Scolari picked him because he’s a tank with a nose for goal. We don’t have many players like that. Simao is going for obvious reasons…speed, technique, and a thunderous shot. Queresma seems to be taking this better then all you arm chair coaches. Ronaldo and Queresma will make their mark soon enough. We should all be exstatic that the U21 talent pool is so rich. Unity, Unity, Unity…Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By Ceasar Lourenco | May 17th, 2006 at 11:58 am

Well said Luis

Posted from Canada

By KENNEDY | May 17th, 2006 at 4:38 pm

update- I’m at the girlfriends , for a few days of bacalhao and I be back home in the master bedroom soon-just a little vacation to change things up.

Posted from Canada

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