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Portugal vs Bosnia Herzegovenia, Calm Before the Storm
Comments(75)
Even for a downright shitty pitch, the match was far too balanced for my liking. Bosnia was missing their top two defenders and we still couldn’t find the back of the net. Our midfield still looked sluggish and indecisive in the offensive third for the second straight game, and for the first time under Bento we were shut out. Each team had two or three good scoring opportunities and I think we will definitely see more in Estadio da Luz. All I know is that we NEED to score the first goal. I am thoroughly convinced that without a player like Danny on the bench, we have little to hope for in terms of a gamechanger that can give us the boost needed to storm a comeback. Almeida is a good substitute, but a simple change at striker doesn’t solve the ball movement and service problems our team obviously has. I understand that the pitch at Zenica forced us to take the long ball route most of the time, but Moutinho and Meireles need to be more influential in the middle of the field. I liked Veloso’s service out of the back, but it is up to the formers to get the job done at the other end. However, if we get the same performance from our midfield, chances are Ronaldo or Nani will create something brilliant to bail us out.
Patricio- 8/10: Made a few great saves towards the end of the game to salvage a point.
Pereira- 6/10: He was pretty solid tonight. Didn’t contribute too much going forward however. Also played Ibisevic onsides when he missed his breakaway chance.
Pepe- 9.5/10: Need I say more? Single handedly shut down Bosnia’s attack over and over again. Literally never let Dzeko turn towards goal. He very well may be our most important player in the national team.
Alves- 7/10: He definitely played better than he did in the last two games. He was extremely strong in the air on set piece, but he had a couple miscues towards the end of the game that allowed Bosnia some chances.
Coentrao- 6/10: He took care of his defensive duties for the most part, but he wasn’t as dangerous going forward tonight. He and Ronaldo weren’t always on the same page, but I think we can all expect a lot more out of him at home.
Meireles- 5/10: He had a few decent looks at goal, but he missed way too many tackles and squandered possession a few times. Is he really as good going forward as he used to be, since being used as DM at Chelsea? I’m not so sure.
Veloso- 7/10: I thought Miguel did very well defensively. He filled in well when any of our backline was forward and did a fine job passing out of the back. Deserves a start in the second leg.
Moutinho- 6/10: He pressed up high on the pitch and forced Bosnia into quite a few poor passes. Joao was strong in possession and rarely gave the ball away, but he still didn’t have a real influence in the offensive third. No doubt he is currently struggling with his form.
Ronaldo- 5/10: Say what you want about the pitch, but Ronaldo made quite a few mental mistakes tonight. Many times he should have played the ball across into the box on counter attacks, and instead he tried to do it all himself on that shitty field and scuffed his shot. He must play better in the return leg.
Nani- 6.5/10: I though he was our most dangerous attacker tonight, but he still didn’t get a lot of chances to score for himself. On the ball however, he created a lot of opportunities and sprung our counter attack multiple times, his passing was spot on for how poor the pitch was. Did well backtracking too. Nani should have more of an impact in the return leg on a better field.
Postiga- 5/10: He chased Bosnia’s back line around all night, but once again didn’t do his job of putting the ball in the freaking goal. At least two great opportunities fell to his cleats and he botched them all. Postiga has to take better advantage of these good scoring opportunities.
Subs:
Hugo Almeida- 5/10: Again struggled because of lack of service. Held up play decently though and added some needed energy.
Ruben Micael- 4/10: Came on for Meireles and didn’t do anything positive.
Overall, the way that game ended we should be relived to have salvaged a point away. The match was dominated in possession by us, but the chances to score were very even.
It is all or nothing from here on out. The first and last knockout round in 2011 comes down to this. Moutinho vs Pjanic, Pepe vs. Dzeko, Ronaldo vs. Papac. It will be a blood bath without a doubt, and I expect pretty much the same squad in the return leg. I wish I could be at The Luz, but lets just hope our home fans and pitch will be the key difference maker. If Pepe plays anywhere near the way he performed last game, then I have little worries about our defense. I really believe that we will pounce early and often on Bosnia and show just how much better we really are. I expect a 2-0 Portugal victory! Please, anything but PKs guys. FORCA PORTUGAL!!
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 75 comments.
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We’ve made it! We still don’t miss a tournament since 1997, however hard any qualifying might have been!
Posted from 
Portugal
Who predicted that scoreline? Huge monkey off our backs, but there is still a lot of work to be done. First, Let’s enjoy this one for a while!!!
Note how we didn’t look like scoring after Queresma and Carlos Martins came on with Ronaldo as striker. The idea is still worth trying but not with Queresma and Martins as wingers.
Anyway great match, it had every thing you want of a football match.
But now the biggest question, why the **** didn’t they play like this against Denmark?!
We’re in Pot 3, hopefully we’ll end up in one of the host groups.
Posted from 
Netherlands
Easy, Pepe and Coentrao didn’t play, and like you said, Martins started. Our midfield played to their potential tonight, and Moutinho returned to himself to put on a world class performance. Coentrao was way more involved and he created acres of space for Ronaldo. Just a brilliant performance, and Bento had our guys ready play from the first whistle.
Wow Im really impressed. Whats up Bosnians? Where are you guys now? Pathetic.
Anyways big props to Veloso. Ive always said he is the key to a more solid midfield, and he made nice passes, and played great defensively. Plus scored a beauty. Great game from him.
Also I loved Bento’s celebrations when Portugal scored! Did anyone notice them? LOL It was pretty funny. You can tell he wanted this alot.
Now lets look forward to the Euro 2012 draw on December 2nd. Cross you fingers!!
EURO 2012, HERE WE COME!!!!! FORCA PORTUGAL
It really was a storm, like in the title 
On another note, Cristiano Ronaldo has equaled Luís Figo’s goal tally for the NT and is now tied with him for the 3rd and 4th best scorers in Portugal’s history, both with 32 goals.
Posted from Portugal
Congrates guys , showed alot of balls the better team won. Were a baby has far has football is concerned we have the heart but need work in some areas to compete and win at this level. Your defense played better but still not up to snuff, good Luck.
Posted from 
United States
BosnianPride, I applaud your attitude. It’s really hard to admit the other team’s superiority, but your answer here is proof that many bosnians are indeed a good bunch. Hope that your country keeps evolving as a football nation and that you never ever cross paths with us again, so that you may be able to qualify at once.
Finally, good luck for the WC 2014 qualifiers!
Posted from Portugal
Em fim In closing, this Bosnian teams remind me of the Portugals tams in the last 1980’s early 1990′ with great players like Figo etc. But just werent ready as a country to take it to the next step, great team as matter of face. Good Luck God Bless, I would have put Allah but it has a bad taste to it in the west. GOd is one good luck in Polska I will be there even though my mates won’t maybe I will see you there.
Posted from United States
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congrats once more on making it to the Euros
but i have to say, we are most probably gonna be in a “group of death”…
Pot 1
Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2
Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3
Croatia, Greece, Sweden, Portugal*
Pot 4
Denmark*, France, Czech Republic, Ireland
* – Highly likely seeding. Portugal’s coefficient has yet to be announced.
we could face spain germany and france in the same group…. now THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN ABOUT
Posted from 
Russian Federation
how do you think the draw will turn out to be?
i have a very strong feeling that we will face italy in the group stage…
Germany and Italy I would like to avoid in the group stage.
What I would like:
Netherlands (to prove a point: they were, are and always will be… our bitches)
England (because it always makes for entertaining matches)
France (to rectify our last encounters)
Imagine that for a fun group!
Posted from Portugal
I really wouldn’t mind playing a Rooney-less England, but yeah I think we need to stay away from Spain and Germany if we want to win our group. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
We know that we are capable of beating Spain and while the Dutch are blessed with talent upfront and in the midfield, their defense is the weakest out of all of the contenders. A Rooney-less England wouldn’t be too difficult to beat and Italy and France are not the teams they were in 2006. The only country that is better than us at the moment is Germany.
What a match yesterday. Although there were a few lousy moments, Portugal played so well. There is one player that is so important for the Portuguese National team. And that’s Fabio Conetrão. A true dedicated soccer player. So now Portugal has qualified, I hope that good things come next Summer. Portugal needs lifting up it’s spirit!!
Posted from Portugal
Personally I want to avoid teams that play defensively and strike on counters or set pieces (such as England, Ukraine, Ireland, Germany can play like that as well)
Posted from Netherlands
Does anyone know where I can download this game full for free? I really want to watch this game again lol 
Thanks
By the way for the seedings I really only want to avoid two teams: Germany and Spain. Yes, we thrashed Spain but lets not forget they had just come from winning the World Cup and probably just didnt have the right mindset. Its proven that Spain usually bring their A-game in big tournaments. Now GERMANY. Oh God. For some reason we cant beat them, ever. If we draw with them it will ruin my year. They are, like Jon said, the only team that is better than us.
Everybody else would be amazing other than those two. Imagine the group Poland, Russia, Portugal, Ireland? LOL that would be AWESOME. But then again, Spain, Germany, Portugal, France would be a HUGE group of death, yes more entertaining, but we would have a really hard time moving on from there.
I think my favourite group right now would be Ukraine, England, Portugal, and France/Czech Rep. This group would be not only entertaining, but also we have a big chance to move on. I cant choose between France or Czech because France isnt good right now but something tells me they will step it up in the Euros, which could give teams probelms because they arent playing well now, but lets face it, their team is stacked.
Can’t beat Germany? Ever?! Euro 2000. 3-0
But I agree they seem the strongest and 2000 is long gone. They would be the only ones I’d like to avoid in the group stage. The rest… BRING THEM ON!!!!!!
Posted from Portugal
The only team I want to avoid is Germany. They’re just…TOO good.
Anyone else, BRING IT ON! We can take them and really prove our place.
IM SO EXCITED FOR NEXT SUMMER!!!
Posted from Netherlands
@Joao Thanks buddy
Paulo when will you review the latest game?
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that’s a wrap
congrats to all 