Scolari’s 23 – Midfielders

For your information, Ronaldo and Quaresma played together in Sporting Lisbon and together they won the Portuguese championship.Quaresma should be on the team. You selected 3 players that play the same position and same style . If you include Rui Costa (which I agree with to replace Deco- IN CASE OF INJURY OR TACTICAL OPTIONS) then what do you need Hugo Viana for.
Quaresma is more talented and should replace Viana on your list. Viana is totally overrated and that why sporting chose not to give him a contract this year. The only thing that is stoping Quaresma form playing is his inability to control his emoitions in big games and making poor tackling decisions. Ronaldo and Quaresma have amazing chemistry together which they harvest in teh Sporting Academy for years. Anyone that saw them play together in Sporting knows this( Did you know that Mr Paolo _ do your research on PORTUGUESE SOCCER PLEASE )and the friendly against Saudi Arabia illustrated that Chemistry. Ronaldo was looking to set up Quaresma during the second half of the game. My Cousin is a member of the FPF discilinarian committee in portugal and there is a push to have Quaresma on the team to prepare him for the euro 08 qualifiers, however his immaturity may place him on the under 21 list. I hope that he makes the team ( even if it is to warm the bench) because they need him in the future. In conclusion,we call Deco- O magico -and we call Quaresma Harry Potter and Ronaldo-Ronaldao. Lets hope their is plenty of magic during the World cup.

Posted from  Canada

In addition, how do you leave Simão Sabrosa off the team. He is the captian of SLB ( do you know what that stands for), they did really well in the champions league , he has been part of the National Team for years.I ‘ll give you a scoop-he is also scolari’s sons’ favorite player. PLEASE READ WITH CARE- Do your research, my friend _ watch some games, learn about the team, the players,and beleive in their chances of winning and stop thinking about Brasil. Be passionate and knowledgable about the team you are writing on because at the present time you are coming across as a pretender. chao.

Posted from  Canada

heh. what about c. ronaldo? he is cruicial.

Posted from  Singapore

Dear Kennedy,

1) Of course if Rui Costa would go, there’d be no need for Hugo Viana. But everybody knows Rui Costa isn’t going. Same way everybody knows Simao is almost sure to go, and it won’t be because of Scolari’s son.

2) Both Quaresma and CRonaldo did come form Sporting. I’m also a huge Sporting fan. But I never saw them playing together. Maybe cos when CRonaldo played the senior team (2003) Quaresma was in Barcelona. I’m sure, though, they did play in the youths together.

3) Consider this:

3 goalies, Meira, Carvalho, Miguel, Ferreira, Valente, Caneira, + 1 defender, Postiga, Gomes, Pauleta, Figo, CRonaldo, Simao, Boa Morte, Costinha (or M Fernandes), Petit, Tiago and Deco. How many places are left? That’s right, 2 places and still no #10 substitute. It’s also arguable if we need one and the only “shaky” name I see in the above list is Boa Morte. But I guess he’s going cos Scolari likes him, and although not brilliant, he doesn’t usually have “bad days”. So, as a coach, you know what to expect.

Who do you feel is more important to the team…? A 5th winger (Quaresma, who played little or nothing in the qualifies and never really showed why he should go, apart from preparing the “baby” for the future), or a guy like Moutinho - an even younger baby, that needed no “preparation” whatsoever? Someone you can rely on. Or Hugo Viana, far away from what he could be but still the only who can be a playmaker?

Posted from  Netherlands

Forgot to put Maniche (DAAAAH!!!)on the list, but it doesn’t change the point.

Posted from  Netherlands

Just to finish, I want to say I have nothing against Quaresma and that I’d be totally happy if the guy had been able, in the last 2 years, of putting all his potential in the pitch.

In short, the way I see it, for Quaresma to go Boa Morte stays. I don’t believe Scolari will take 5 midfielders and 5 wingers… What for…?

Posted from  Netherlands

Both you guys make valid points and I have to lean towards Pedro’s analysis even though like Kennedy I would love to see both Quaresma and CR roaming the wings. Man! that would be something.
And Kennedy, why all the aggresion man?? You can make your point or argue your side on any issue without blasting Luis Paulo? He’s doing a great job. Besides we didn’t see you lining up when they were asking for volunteers to operate the Portuguese Blog?
You seem to know allot about our players and have strong opinions and we welcome that, just lets smile a bit..

Posted from  Canada

Kennedy, in your agression you forgot to read that I did not put Hugo Viana on my team. So, its one less thing for you to complain.

My final 8 was Costinha, Petit, M Fernandes, Tiago, Maniche, Deco, Figo and Boa Morte.

You can say whatever you want about Quaresma but Boa Morte is in a better shape them he is and I know this because I watch the Premier League. By the way, Quaresma stinked against Saudi Arabia.

I’m also not a big fan of Simão Sabrosa and I believe I have the right to not be. I followed Benfica very closely this year due to their success on the CL and I just don’t see him as a World Cup material.

Shoulian, as I said in the first post, I’ll consider C. Ronaldo as a foward. I could not forget about him.

ohhh haha. sorry, didnt read, my mistake….

Posted from  Singapore

Petit, Manuel Fernandes, Tiago, Figo, Deco, Maniche, Simao, Boa Morte and either Viana or Quaresma. Im not a fan of Moutinho and I think that Costinha has not done enough recently to earn a place on the squad. Also, Boa Morte can play as a forward if needed.

Posted from  United Kingdom

It is not aggression, it is passion. I do not think that we need to look to brasil for every solution, there is talent in portugal. We need to believe that with some luck we can be celebrating with our portuguese brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers,ect. We deserve to have this dream come through.
I want the person that is writing this blog to believe and be knowleadgable of the talent in portugal.

To suggset the coaches that were suggested in the blog is ridiculous. He needs to understand the culture and social political powers and if he understood this he would understand that the next coach will be portuguese . There are portuguese coaches doing very well in portugal and across the world. When Mister leaves PNT a portuguese coach will be selected next. As stated earlier I hope he stays.

R. Queresma and R. Ronaldo did play together in Sporting when R.Ronaldo was slowly being integrated in the the senior team.

Luis Paulo-yes Quaresma did not play well against Saudi Arabia but one needs to consider that the poor condition of the pitch was not suited for skilled players. Take a look at the tape and you will see the interplay between Quaresma and Ronaldo.

Ask yourself- If you had to choose between Quaresma and Viana for the future -who do you think will bring portuguese fans to their feet cheering -Football is not only a celebration of skill it is also a celabration of our pride passion and patria- who will make you proud.

Moutinho I like, but too young and needs to improve his physical strength and Stature to play on the world stage against the world’s best. Chao

Posted from  Canada

Kennedy, sorry but you won’t find passion in me, even if I was rigthing about Brazil. I’m passion about football in general. You will find passion in when I rigth my unforgetable moments in football or my top 5 most missed player but not when I’m talking about any country, not even my own. Therefore, I don’t care about nationality as long as the man coachs well. This week i looked for the new Portugal kit to buy. It’s beautiful but it’s too expensive here(250 bucks). This is as far as it gets when you are talking about passion.

By the way, you are supposed to give your options. Select your favorite 8. This is a election here. My vote counts as much as your. So let us now who would be your 23 men.

My 23 are
Goalies :
Starter :Ricardo
Subs: Quim and Bruno Vale

Defense:
Starters:
Miguel, Carvalho,Meira,Valente
Subs:
Ferreira,Nunes,Carneira

Midfieders:
Starters:
Costinha, Maniche,Deco, figo, Ronaldo

Subs: Petit, Fernandes,Rui Costa ( will be asked to return to FPF) Quaresma and Simao

Forwards:
Starter: Pauleta
Subs Nuno Gomes and Postiga

Posted from  Canada

Kennedy,

Must disagree…

1) The coach doesn’t have to be foreign. Why does it have to be portuguese? For me, should hopefully be portuguese, but before that, HE MUST BE GOOD AND HE MUST FIT THE TEAM. This I find extremelly conservatitve. I’m portuguese, probably I know what you’re talking about much better than you think, Kennedy. Allow me to disagree. I see it as the same mentallity that promotes regression rather than progress. Culture + social political powers don’t have anything to do with showing that “we don’t need any other coach, we can manage ourselves just fine” - this is what makes you end up alone and loosing, like it has been the case with our team, till a not so distant past. You want the best possible coach, all variables included. Scolari was an excellent option, also because he blended in the culture and involved himslef in such a way, I don’t even see probable with a lot of other coaches. Portuguese included. He “dressed the POR jersey”.

Having a foreign coach doesn’t mean he don’t have good coaches.

My point is: the coach selection should be based on quality. Not based on showing the world how good we are, or how big is our choice.

2) If you say that about Quaresma and CRonaldo, I shut up.

3) The sate of the pitch cannot be used as excuse. What happens when you reach Germany and the pitch is shit? Go tell the world we lost because of the pitch? The “moral victories” again, rather than being a professional?

4) Moutinho has showed the entire season in the portuguese league, by being the player with the most nr of games, the youngest and also the player seen as a reference inside its own team - Sporting Lisbon - that he has reached a level of maturity much higher than most “oldies”.

All the times he did play for the NT, he showed he can be trusted, he can deliver, he won’t commit the team, just to show what he can do.

I rest my case…

Posted from  Netherlands

Pedro, give us you 8 midfields

If we play 4-3-3, shouldn’t it be 6 (or 10 if counting the wingers as midfielders and 4-5-1)?

Anyway… I say: Costinha, Maniche and Deco. Subs: Petit, Tiago and “mystery man”… If Costinha doesn’t go, than I guess they might take M Fernandes.

PLUS CRonaldo and Figo, Simao and Boa Morte (subst).

I don’t know who “mystery man” will be and have no clue. I’d like to see J Moutinho going.

Posted from  Netherlands

By the way, my other choices (apart from the 3 goalies):

FWD: Pauleta, Postiga and Gomes

DEF: Miguel, Ferreira, Carvalho, Meira, “mystery man #2 - I vote Tonel (but he ain’t going) or maybe Litos - Valente and Caneira.

There… 23!

Posted from  Netherlands

i’m a really big n crazy fan of barca especially ronaldinho n all i wanna say iz tough luck dis time wish u alllllllllllll da best next time i’m sure u can n will do it.good luck
ur b!gge$+ f@n
m@r!

Posted from  Saudi Arabia