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Live by the PK, die by the PK

July 6th, 2006 | By: Luis | 80 Comments »

As some of you may have noticed, the comments on this blog have been turned off temporarily. You can still post your thoughts, but from now on, they will be moderated. The flat out hatred and moralizing on these pages has gone far beyond what I find to be reasonable. Those of you who came here to taunt and redicule our team had your moment. It’s time for you to move on. This blog will return with full functionality once all the nonsense has faided and all the part-time fans have moved on. One thing is for sure, if we could probe some of these critics long enough, you would eventually uncover their bias, whether it is purely hatred or some lofty notion of how the beautiful game should be played.

We’re all allowed to have our ideas about this game, that’s part of the sport. It’s entirely open to interpretation. Perhaps, too much so at times, but that’s the reality. Drawing fouls and penalty kicks in football is no more criminal then drawing a foul in any other sport. The big difference is that one penalty kick can decide a game in football where as a few foul shots rarely determine the outcome of a basketball game.

You are all free to have your opinions about this team, that is your right. But please don’t come around here calling us divers and cheats without first admitting that both Italy and France are in the final because of an awarded penalty kick. In both cases, there was little or no contact, but the penalty was awarded and that’s the bottom line. Portugal benefited from penalties as well, in this tournament, so we certainly can’t complain about how it turned out. Sorry, no sour grapes here.

Some of you may think Ronaldo is the living embodiment of all things evil in football. Again, that is your right. He certainly does try to draw fouls often, but no more then any other player in his position. It’s one of the options any player has to fight off constant tackling and fouling and while we would prefer to see him burn off opponents without going to the carpet, it just doesn’t turn out that way sometimes. If you want to point the finger at Ronaldo, then you better be willing to point the finger at Henry, Totti, Ribery, Ballack, Lampard, and many others that turned to the dive when it became clear their team had their backs up against the wall. All I ask is that you critics not apply a double standard. If you want someone to hate, then focus your energies on FIFA and their rules. I’m not a big fan of tinkering too much with the game, but if you all find the current tactics so untasty, then lobby Sep and company to change the game, otherwise, just appreciate it for what it is. If you don’t have the stomach for it, watch golf instead. Then you can just get pissed at that little ball when it doesn’t go where you want it to.

There is obvious frustration when your team is knocked out of the tournament. We all put a tremendous amount of energy into this competition and defeat is never easy, but we can be proud of the success our team had in this tournament and look to the future for more. One thing is for sure, Portugal will be a regular fixture in the second round of future World Cups. The talent pool is deep enough and the national program, thanks to Scolari, is in great shape for the future. I hope Scolari will continue with the national team, but if he does not, then someone else will have to pick up where he left off.

One final word for all the suffering ‘tugas’. Don’t lose heart my friends. Portugal is great and will rise again. This story is not yet over. This dream is not dead. Keep your heads held high and prepare to cheer our team on in 2008. All this hate and venomous chatter will fade, but the dream of conquering a Cup will not.

Força Portugal!

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 80 comments.

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By julian | July 7th, 2006 at 12:11 pm

It’s pathetic that anyone would ever dream of comparing the attitude of portugal with any other team in this competition. The critics against Ronaldo, Pauleta are justified not solely because they exacerbated the ugly side of the game, but mostly because thay have the talent to overcome genuinely any team in this WC. The truth migh be hard to swallow but players like ronaldo can get utterly finished on the international scene for displaying such an array of dishonesty as he did in this game. Have the courage to admit that Portugal is not on the right path, if it were, they would have won the Euro 04, and possibly be in final on Sunday.Ronaldo is young so he’ll be forgiven, but portugal must capitalize on their skills, and forget the drama. I hope we will see the real face of portuguese football in 2008 (that is if you get rid of Scolari)

Posted from Thailand

By AtomicMunchkin | July 7th, 2006 at 12:35 pm

Great link to that article, it’s a shame there’s not a lot more of that sentiment about at the moment.

Congrats on the gracious behaviour to almost everyone here. It’s not easy at the moment, is it? But it will get so much better. Being in the UK and having to put up with the BBC has now proven too much for me, especially with the behaviour concerning the semi-final. Here’s what I had to say about it on the BBC site if anyone’s interested – it does go on a bit, sorry It’s Post # 51:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldcup/2006/07/blog_672006_you_dive_me_crazy.html

Another guy on there summed it up pretty nicely by saying the bias was made clear to him when Miguel’s knee injury was featured in their “Portugal diving” montage. Too true.

For my part, I have to say credit for not giving up until the very last second on Wednesday – we got loads of heart-in-the-mouth moments in injury time. Also pretty impressed by C. Ronaldo’s “ignore ‘em and get on with it” attitude.

There’s been plenty of material to draw on and make people proud from this tournament (which is needless to say, not over yet for Portugal). Some class defending when it counted, creativity in midfield that has gone unpraised and I specifically give a nod to Ricardo – WHAT a keeper – and Maniche for a BLINDING tournament (and crucial goals) off the back of a very difficult club season.

This team made a real impression on me and with some decent clean play in the buildup to Euro08 I’m sure the same will happen in the eyes of tons more people outside of Portugal.

That’s probably enough for now….

Posted from United Kingdom

By Jorge | July 7th, 2006 at 1:06 pm

We have gone very far,each one of us with the hope and wish of winning the competition,but how would we handle victory?Each one of the players will be allways in our hearts for the role that they played and Ricardo,the goal keeper,remembered for his faith and courage.Words are important,they are the design of our actions and I do not like the expression:”Forca Portugal”.It places the focus on strength and this is vanity.
It would be preferable to say “Uniao e humildade”but this could be fascism for some and dropped all together.But “Forca Portugal” will not lead us too far…

Posted from Australia

By Luis(Fanatico da Bola) | July 7th, 2006 at 1:11 pm

hello all… First of all luis: good post, quite frankly i was getting tired of the “portuguese are divers” routine, anyway , as a portuguese and as a football fan, the selecção has made me proud…and even if we didnt win the cup they are champions in my book…

to the holland and england fans: round 3 in Euro 2008

to the france and italy fans: good luck in the finals… may the best team win

Força Portugal!

Posted from Portugal

By Feo | July 7th, 2006 at 1:16 pm

To the Portuguese supporters, I’d like to thank you for reading my comments objectively, as they were meant. I am pretty sure that the Portuguese team has improved over the years (They played excellently at Euro 2004) and if they keep on striving to improve their play, I think they will become a fixture of future WC tournaments.

Posted from Switzerland

By SoccerFan | July 7th, 2006 at 2:35 pm

Nikki,
I have to tell you that this morning I exchanged emails with two Italian friends and I, for one congratulated them and they congratulated me on Portugal making it this far.

There will always be broken hearts and the hard core fans sometimes get out of hand…but do you sincerely think they are being malicious or maybe just trying to get a reaction out of you?

As to the diving…Every team does it…I too played soccer and plenty of times when speed combined with exhaustion and hunger for that goal…the slightest touch can make you lose balance and fall…also alot of times as a player seeing an opponent coming up at just as much speed, in order to avoid serious injury and a clash you have to do that!

FORCA PORTUGAL!
RICARDO for president! No bigger heart in this world cup!

Posted from United States

By Robert | July 7th, 2006 at 3:19 pm

Nikki,

I have to say.. Your Portuguese friends are very different than any Portuguese that I know! I can understand a friendly rivalry if Portugal is playing Italy or something like that… I have many Italian friends… and I will be rooting for Italy 100% this Sunday! As far as I can tell.. Most Portuguese will probably be cheering for Italy this Sunday.

Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By ricardo | July 7th, 2006 at 3:44 pm

all this dive jive and nobody gives credit to our NO.1 GK….amongst one of the best international goal keepers at the moment. hey – we scored legit goals, none came from dives but from crafty football. so to all the accusers, save it, this argument is stale!!!!!!!!!! as for the finalists of this world cup well, what can i say their dives got them there….
oleeeeeeeeeeeeeee portugal oleeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Posted from United States

By copperas | July 7th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

Last word…..the objective world knows and has spoken:

Podolski beats Ronaldo to award

Podolski (right) benefited from Ronaldo’s World Cup theatrics
Germany striker Lukas Podolski has won the Fifa young player of the World Cup award, beating off competition from Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 20-year-old Podolski has scored three goals in six matches so far.

Ronaldo was favourite for the prize but his antics in the quarter-final against England cost him the chance to win.

Holger Osieck, head of the Fifa technical study group that picked the winner, said: “We want to have decent behaviour and I admit we were critical of this.

Fifa technical study group head Holger Osieck

“We had a number of criteria but we have to admit players of that age do have their weaknesses and are not fully developed.

“Players should be role models and fair play is a consideration.

“But we have to admit young players are not always mature tactically and they also have difficulties in handling stressful situations.”

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, who is patron of the award, added: “You will never have 100% fair play and maybe looking at Cristiano he was obviously doing something here.

“He may have accumulated a couple of minus points due to his gesture with Rooney but you sometimes forget what the laws are in the heat of the fight.”

Ronaldo was deemed unsporting for appearing to try and get Wayne Rooney sent off for his challenge on Ricardo Carvalho.

Posted from United States

By ricardo | July 7th, 2006 at 3:51 pm

i hope scolari gives other players some mileage this weekend, i wouldn’t mind seeing Boamorte get in there, he does an exceptional job for fulham, maybe he hasn’t yet meshed with this squad but we need to start trying some other options.

…and yes!!!! i hope the azzurri shows a class act, and i wouldn’t mind seeing T.Herry shine either. may italy bring home the trophy. Forza my mediterranean brothers….

Posted from United States

By Robert | July 7th, 2006 at 3:55 pm

ANTI-FRENCH,

I agree with your comments regarding France always being criticized. But, As far as the 2006 WC is concerned, France was always considered by most to be in the semi-finals. France was expected to do extremely well in the WC. Portugal, however, was not. The critics didn’t even pick Portugal to beat Mexico in the first round. It is not a surprise to most that France made it to the finals. It is a surprise to most that Portugal got to be in the top 4. And aside from all of that… Nobody gives Portugal any credit. They talk about dives and cheats.. The past 3 games that Portugal played.. I saw more divers, cheats and dirty plays by the opponents than I did from Portugal.. But all they talk about is Portugal diving and cheating.. Please!

In my heart and my mind… Portugal is still the best team there. And they didnt make it to the final 2. So what? They played their hearts out! They are all heroes in my book! OBRIGADO PORTUGAL!

Also, The Portuguese fans are the best fans ever! We support our team through the good and the bad. We shed tears when they lose. Yet we still have enough pride and honor to celebrate with our players NO MATTER HOW FAR THEY GET! Why? Because we love the sport. We love our heritige. We love PORTUGAL!

OBRIGADO PORTUGAL!

Forca Portugal!

Posted from United States

By Bella | July 7th, 2006 at 4:35 pm

Robert:
Allow me to make your words mine.
That’s exactely what i feel.

“In my heart and my mind… Portugal is still the best team there. And they didnt make it to the final 2. So what? They played their hearts out! They are all heroes in my book! OBRIGADO PORTUGAL!

OBRIGADO PORTUGAL!”

By Bella | July 7th, 2006 at 4:38 pm

Nikki:
I live in the GTA and i know what u r talking about.
This is not a common situation in the rest of the world, though.
There is a lot of animosity between Portuguese and Italians in TO.
But let me tell a know a lot of Portuguese that are rooting for Italy, not because we lost with France but because we have similar cultures.

By isabel | July 7th, 2006 at 5:17 pm

Brittany, thanks for your comments. The image of that solidarity in Newark will stay with me.

To Anti-French:
“We still hear from South America that France poisoned the Brazilian team in 1998 world cup final.”

Yes I know of this nonsense, I remember well the conpsiracy theories some Brazilians talked about in 1998. You have a right to be angry at this smear. Again, neither I nor my family nor my friends talked about the 1998 loss in this way. It’s stupid. And I hear you when you complain about the France-bashing. Here in the US, few countries are more hated than France. It’s very irrational. I wish France luck in the final, I respect their players very much.

About Portugese “diving”:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373430&root=worldcup&cc=5901&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2

The article on the link above is one that I think makes a very good point about the accusations of diving against Portugal. The article is generally critical of Portugal (and France too) BUT it makes a very interesting point that all these accusations directed toward Portugal about diving and flopping are due to the fact that — unlike other teams — the Portugese players do it so BADLY and so obviously. In other words, they are not good at “cheating.” Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“As the world’s football folk berated Big Phil Scolari’s men for their outrageous gamesmanship, they conveniently forgot generations of World Cup theatrics.
Jürgen Klinsmann has been one of this tournament’s heroic figures but had a reputation so bad that the only way he could win over English fans after signing for Tottenham was to lampoon himself with a diving goal celebration.
To use a couple of more recent examples, what about Fabio Grosso infuriating the Aussies by legging himself up on a prostrate Lucas Neill, or Thierry Henry clutching his face after a shoulder in the chest from Carles Puyol? Both men will play in Sunday’s final, yet somehow they escaped the universal condemnation heaped on the Portuguese.
The problem is not that Portugal are so good at diving, it is that they are so bad at it. We are swift to praise ‘clever’ forwards provoking and then going down under an innocuous challenge, but Scolari’s players have been so brazen they merely look ridiculous.
Several thousand England fans who had bought their semi-final tickets before Saturday’s defeat to Portugal turned up anyway, and took great delight in booing Cristiano Ronaldo’s every touch following his altercation with Wayne Rooney.
The soon-to-be-ex-Manchester United winger responded with a superb performance as he tormented the increasingly nervy full-backs with unusually direct and incisive runs.”

Posted from United States

By Guida | July 7th, 2006 at 5:47 pm

P – i was going to bow out of this quietly and happy with things, then I read your last entry…………….Now you really have made me p’d off.

One minute you are ensulting our race , everything about us. Now, however you change tactics and say you are sore you lost and that it isn’t just portugal that cheats, blah blah blah. Excuse me deary, but let me tell you, your precious team was not above the cheating and diving thing, that is a fact which can be verified by looking back at your games. Still that is not the issue, you still don’t get it!!!

WHERE IS THE PRIDE IN YOUR TEAM??? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TELLS US THAT ALTHOUGH England lost you still root for them are proud of them ??????

The Portuguese have stood behind their team, we have not dessicrated the spirit of the game, we have not been sore at our loss.

It remains for you to apologise to all the Portuguese fans on this Blog for forcing us to so veheremently defend our people, our country and our beloved team. That is not correct. IT shows the level of your hated which also shows how low you went. I hope you are proud of that.

Despite what you think of us, we will always accept others for who they are and we will never go onto other blogs and insult their teams, we will not create haterooney web sites.

Just for the record, and as my last word, that web site is the highest most defaming and hate inciting racist and xenophobic thing I have ever seen!

Your Captain and Mine both stood there on the world’s arena and asked us to denounce racism and hatred. No amount of sugar coating or excuses will pacify that web site.

WE love Ronaldo, we love this plucking young man for never flinching under all those Booos the night we played France. I bet you anything that not one Portuguese switched off his TV in shame, but that instead they all shedt a small tear for that poor boy on that night.

I still beleive that the reason he looked happy and content and enjoyed his game, was because he knew just how much his country was behind him. He felt the power, that was the true spirit of Portugal.

I hope God forgives you your hatred, I know my people have.

Forca Portugal, Thank you Figo and the boys
Goodnight

By steven | July 7th, 2006 at 5:53 pm

i sed it at the beginging of the tournement and ill say it now, if klose or torres, maybe villa were portugese we would b in the final now, we defo top three back4, midfield, the nly piece missing is the striker, i know pauleta top all time scorer and all tht i just think he got isolated 2much in the tournement and postiga aint up2 it just yet maybe he will i duno, gomes shud hav bin played but thts another story, but as4 this game we were 1dodgy pk away from the final thts it!. Now as4 euro2008 hugo almeida and 1 other striker must b blooded and maybe a change of formation is all thts needed and we will win tht tournement!!! revenge will b ours, b patcient portugal brothers and sisters!!!

Posted from United States

By Ben Dover | July 7th, 2006 at 8:14 pm

I live in America and my family is from Portugal. After this tourney, I can proudly say I’m associated with the two most hated countries in the world. Couldn’t be prouder!! All the haters can screw off!

Can’t wait for ‘08 for Euro Cup. Then 2010 to do it all over again. Futbol rules!!

Posted from United States

By part portuguese/ part asian. | July 7th, 2006 at 9:10 pm

TO GUIDA:

Thank you for that post.

“WE love Ronaldo, we love this plucking young man for never flinching under all those Booos the night we played France. I bet you anything that not one Portuguese switched off his TV in shame, but that instead they all shedt a small tear for that poor boy on that night. ”

THat was exactly how I felt. How can you boo someone so talented??? He was still amazing though and i can’t wait to watch him in many more EURO-CUPS and WORLD CUPS.

Posted from Canada

By DISGRACED | July 7th, 2006 at 9:48 pm

Live by the sword and die by the sword. The portuguese lived by the diving and it worked for them and made them known for once. But the french dive was sweet sweet karma. DOnt be mad at Henry cause if you are then you are mad at yourselves.

Posted from Canada

By silver | July 7th, 2006 at 10:01 pm

This article proves that Portugal is getting a disporportionate share of negative publicity for lack of ‘fair play’. Italy is by far the worst team in the tournament, and yet they haven’t received 1/10 of the attention Ronaldo alone has. Blame the English media who are solidifying their position as perennial sore losers.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/07/bc.eu.spt.soc.wcup.notebook.ap/index.html

By Coelho | July 8th, 2006 at 12:30 am

First, I would like to say that Ronaldo played a great game against France. He tormented the entire French Defense and almost won the game for us..where were the the other Portuguese players during his runs I have no idea. The guy is always going at top speed with the dribble and get’s foul more than anyone else in the WC. Ronaldo has been a target since the begining of CUP play. He get’s kicked almost everytime he touches the ball, that is the only way the opposition can stop him. Ronaldo doesn’t get most of the fouls he should have.

The opponent’s can’t stop Ronaldo so they complain that he dives…sometimes he does as many does…But most of them are fouls and he doesn’t get the calls.

As for France, they didn’t beat Portugal. The referee beat Portugal as they dominated most of the game. So as far as I am concerned Portugal didn’t lose the game to France we lost to the referee and thanks to the biggest diver of them all Henry.

As for Ronaldo, it is ashamed that Fifa denied him the Young Baller award. These are two crimes committed against the Portuguese team.

We should have been playing Italy as Portugal was the best team on the field against France.

As for England, the country is the biggest sore losers in the world…my advice don’t kick players in the groin area and learn how to kick PK…

Posted from United States

By Sardao | July 8th, 2006 at 4:23 am

To Isabel,

Thats real surprising that you mention Portugal not supporting Brazil.

In ‘94 when Brazil won the WorldCup there was 1,000 Brazilians and 99,000 Portuguese celebrating on the streets of Toronto.

In ‘02 the party wasn’t as big(we finally had a team in the WC), but everyone started to chear for Brazil once Portugal got knocked out.

Only problem is Brazilians seemed to be getting quite arrogant since winning their 5th WC I must admit, I kind of wanted to see them lose to France.

I have a nice clip from Milton Neves(Brazilian commentator) saying that Scolari is amazing because he took a bunch of no names to the semi finals.

Hopefully that arrogance is gone by ‘10, and the humility returns and we can all celebrate if Brazil(although prefereably it would be Portugal instead )

As for Nikki, sorry, I’m hesitatingly cheering for Italy over France. My only worry is I’ll have to listen to you Italians for another 20 years.

Good Luck anyways.

Posted from Canada

By Bobby | July 8th, 2006 at 11:26 pm

Portugal have been accused of cheating at some time. I don’t know. I watched almost every game they played. I have never seen better sportsmanship in my life. I thought the penalty kick in the game against France was unjust.The portugese are a great team.

Posted from United States

By JoCa | July 10th, 2006 at 2:56 am

Isabel my dear any latin nation or any catholic has already my respect at first.All the other and the else would have to earn it.
I sympathise with Brazil because of our historical connection along with our brothers in Africa,India and Asia.
If Portugal would b knocked out early id be as much for Brazil as id be for Angola because i consider them my brothers and expect that feeling to be mutual.
As for the insults they probably are filled with jealousy because Brazil is the only one that has the most wanted trophy 5 times.

and Portugal ur time will come i will never give up believing !!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Guida | July 13th, 2006 at 2:41 pm

Part Portuguese part Asian:

I meant every word I wrote and it still haunts me that my boy is being victimised to the point of hatred. I wish I could tell him that only a select few people in this world don’t like him, he has the love and respect of an entire nation, and that, as far as I am concerned he is destined to become one of the world’s greatest players and I fervently hope I am alive to see it, and maybe if God so wills it I will tell my grandkids about how this young boy stood while all boohed him and played the game of his life.

Ronaldo, be strong and resilient. Play like you have never played before, laugh out loud at the critics and stay the man you are.

Forc a para sempre, meu Portugal.

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