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Tiago time

June 28th, 2006 | By: Luis | 23 Comments »

If you didn’t watch Portugal, during qualifiers, or Lyon in the French league this season, you might not know who Tiago is. Well, it’s time for the world to get to know this player a little better. And there is no better way for him to introduce himself then to have a great game this Saturday. Tiago is an excellent midfielder that defends very well, and knows how to run off the ball. He’s fantastic at exploiting spaces and drawing players into defensive holes.

I think this is his big moment. I don’t know if Big Phil will start him, but the timing is right for Tiago to step up and show his worth in the game against England. He spent the last year with Lyon where he had an excellent year and played a pivital role in Lyon’s successful title campaign, but his experience with Chelsea, two seasons ago, could prove to be his greatest asset for Scolari. Tiago knows the style of play in the EPL very well and has played with or against most of the English players.

This is Tiago’s first World Cup and he certainly showed some nerves early on, but after Sunday’s match, I don’t think this team has a problem with nerves any more. Now it’s all out, or nothing. We just have to continue to bring our game to each match. With Scolari in charge, this team will have a solid plan for sure, but this Saturday is, once again, prime time for the subs. They need to step up and show their value. Figo, Ronaldo/Simao, Maniche and Pauleta will need something extra from Tiago. It’s up to him to sieze this opportunity and make his mark.

Força Portugal!

Tags: England, Portugal, Tiago

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Comments

By O Grande Trinco | June 28th, 2006 at 5:05 am

Let’s certainly hope so, he has had the scoring touch in past for Benfica and it started showing at Lyon as well.

I wouldn’t expect Tiago to start unless Ronaldo cannot. I expect Ronaldo Figo Simao with Petit Maniche to start. If any of these players need be subbed then almost surely Tiago will have a role. And if Portugal progress further he will almost surely be called upon. C’mon Tiago, uuuu can dooo it !!!!!!!!

FORCA TIAGO
FORCA PORTUGAL

By Kelvin | June 28th, 2006 at 6:30 am

Luis read my reply in the following link and see if you agree with me:

http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/make-your-quarter-finals-predictions.html

Força Portugal!

Posted from Canada

By Luis | June 28th, 2006 at 6:38 am

Kelvin – you read my mind. Shows that all us ‘tugas’ are on the same wave length.

Posted from United States

By Dan Lourenço | June 28th, 2006 at 7:01 am

I’m with you Kelvin

Posted from United States

By soccerazy | June 28th, 2006 at 7:50 am

YAYYYYYYYYYYY FOR TIAGOOOOOOOOOO

GOOOOOOOO POTUGALLLLLLLLL.

out of germany, argentina, ukraine, italy, england, portugal, france and brasil. Only Ukraine and Portugal are the ones who have never won a world cup.

So it’s time for PORTUGAL TO TAKE IT THIS YEAR.
WORLD CUP 2006.

PLEEASE PLEASEEE WINNN THIS SUNDAY!

Posted from Canada

By soccerazy | June 28th, 2006 at 7:53 am

KELVIN. I just read what you wrote and I just wanted to say thanks for making me feel MUCH BETTER.

AFter Sundays game, I’ve been so nervous thinking that we would lose this saturday.

For sure this game with england will be the longest 90 min of my life but at least now I’ve gained more confidence with our team.

thanks:)

Posted from Canada

By TugaInBrit | June 28th, 2006 at 1:34 pm

So os portugueses é que simulam faltas… Tá boa essa! Obviamente que o fazem, como todos os outros – alguem viu a simulação do Henry contra a espanha, que originou o primeiro golo francês? Tenham juizo.

Only portuguese dive ? All players do! Have you seen Henry’s diving against spain – that free kick originated france’s 1st goal. But , of course, Henry is not cautioned or criticized for diving, he plays for Arsenal.

Espero que Portugal vença Inglaterra num bom jogo de futebol.

Go Portugal!

Posted from United Kingdom

By SoccerFan | June 28th, 2006 at 2:25 pm

TugaInBrit,
I completely agree with you on that. On another note with Henry…does anyone know how many offsides were called against him? A world class player….who can’t figure he is offsides?

Posted from United States

By croky | June 28th, 2006 at 7:58 pm

Remember Rui Costa ? Tiago has a very similar style, that’s why i love him !

Next saturday, Tiago will do the same thing Rui Costa did in the Euro for the portuguese team: score for Portugal and win the game. Either way, England be ware, we’ll win this one … again

Posted from Portugal

By ricardo | June 28th, 2006 at 9:04 pm

i still don’t understand all the fuss about deco. i mean, i like his football and all, he is good…but far from essensial. especially in a game against england which will be physical and truthfully he is just to light and frail in stature to hold midfield, so yeah, im for having tiago in there wether deco is being punished or even if he was good to go…
vamos la TUGAS…3 mais jogos…

Posted from United States

By Luis | June 28th, 2006 at 10:20 pm

ricardo – PT can win without Deco, especially in the kind of game that England will play, but our offense just doesn’t have the same flowing style without him.

SoccerFan – I agree but Henry was trying to exploit Spain’s offsides trap. The Spaniards left so much space behind them. It was just a matter of time before someone exploited it. In this case it wasn’t Henry, but it could have been.

Posted from United States

By Ashley | June 28th, 2006 at 10:52 pm

cute…I saw he when he was playing against holand…he looked really cute

Posted from Bermuda

By SoccerFan | June 29th, 2006 at 12:12 am

About Deco, I think that its actually a great edge for Portugal not to have him in the next game. England totally thinks that Portugal is dishevelled without him. They probably have studied him more then anyone else on Team Portugal because there is so much hype around his play.

Deco can be an asset but he can also hold us back at times.

Does anyone know the line up for Saturday?

Luis, on Henry I agree, but at this level of competition as a player he should have positioned himself well to receive the ball.

Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By Luis | June 29th, 2006 at 1:55 am

No doubt SoccerFan, no doubt, but easier said then done.

Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By MArcus | June 29th, 2006 at 4:05 pm

I hope Portugal win England 10-0….Oh my god…the riots in Germany ….poor Germany….

Posted from Bermuda