WAG Wednesday On Hold: Portugal Falls a Spot

I’m not too worried about that. Rankings don’t win titles.

Nor am I too worried with the lack of a striker. It’s always been more or less like that, except when we had Eusébio, 40 years ago.
Of course, in the past we had other resources. But then again, we failed to qualify with teams that were far better than this one, which isn’t sooooo bad.
Actually, in my oppinion, we had teams that would have been legitimatelly title candidates (WC94, we had a better team than Italy, who reached the final, or SWI, who outqualified us). Also in 98, our team didn’t really miss much when compared to FRA, who took it.
But well… It’s just my oppinion…
After 04 and 06, PT consolidated in what actually lacked the most (obvious for almost everybody, but not really for portugueses themselves) - being used to get there consistently (till then was 66, 84, 96 and 00) and getting the taste of getting there, some maturity. This is something we owe Scolari. At least, I see it like this.

Scolari was just invited to be Mexico’s next coach… http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?div_id=1194&id=938018

Scolari on Ricardo and team: http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=937964&div_id=1194

Posted from  Netherlands

I agree with Pedro that the ranking really don’t mean much except in one regard. FIFA uses then to seed teams in big tournaments. That’s why big teams like Italy, Brazil etc always seem to get favorable groups etc.
So in that regard it’s an edge in a the WC or Euro’s.
Don’t underestimate the power of being seated.

Posted from  Canada

May the Force be with you, Ceasar…

Posted from  Netherlands

[...] us. The draw hurt our March opponents even more, though, with their score falling by 60 points. Portugal and the Netherlands both fell a spot as well, with Greece the big winner of the top ten, moving up [...]

Posted from  United States

Rankings aside the thing to focus on is that Portugal currently have The Best Player in the World in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Here´s some nice comments from Scolari on the team: http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=939161&div_id=1194
He sates: “PT´s biggest problem is scoring, that we often generate more chances than the adversary, that we don´t finish clinically like most other teams and that when we do, it´ll be very difficult to beat us. We still need to give the extra step and win a big trophy, so that we became more confident and gain strength as a team. It is bigger to win a EC with Portugal than the World Cup with Brasil”.

Must say I agree with it all…

Posted from  Netherlands

You should read what the Greeks are saying about us over at their blog. Ronaldo did not play because he knew Portugal would lose.

Like fuck me, but come on?

And Pedro well said, I agree. Although I hope Big Phil plays two strikers up front @ Euro 08 (Gomes + Postiga?) to compensate for the lack of quality strikers.

Posted from  Canada

Who else to you put in his place then, Greg?

Posted from  Netherlands

Well Greg, we’re kinda short on selection. At least he has experience.

Posted from  Canada

I just hate thinking that with this team behind the front line that we have to kind of “settle” for someone at that position. It’s almost a case of choosing the guy who sucks the least. I’d start Almeida up front alone, he’s big enough and moderately agile to handle some footwork if needed.

Posted from  United States

I don’t think we need to “settle” for least worst. Like previously mentioned we go with Almieda, and add Postiga and Makakula (spelling) as a third. All of them are superior to Gomes in my estimation, and younger.

Thoughts?

Posted from  Canada