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U20 World Cup 2007: Portugal 0 - 1 Chile

July 13th, 2007 | By: Luis | 15 Comments »

What can I say? It was everything I expected it to be - the poorest display of football I’ve ever seen from a Portuguese squad. Just consider these stats:

Shots PT 7 - CH 19
Shots on goal PT 1 - CH 9
Fouls committed PT 19 - CH 12
Possession PT 38% - CH 62%

And to put the icing on the cake, two ejections in the dying minutes of the match. They don’t make them much better then that folks. All-in-all a shameful display!

So, now that Portugal is done and dusted, I’ll turn my attention to this little known squad from the USA that seems to be bending minds and free kicks. I once said that I would probably never root for a US team in a major tournament, but today I’ll eat my words. I’m hoping for a US v Mexico final, with the US making history to defeat an overly smug Mexican side.

Força USA!

Since there were no highlights to speak of, lets check out the high point of the match. Zequinha, where did you learn that trick? I hope you’re at home right now saying your Hail Marys.

Tags: Chile, Portugal, Under 20 world cup 2007

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Comments

By Greg | July 13th, 2007 at 7:14 am

Wait… Jose Couceiro leads the team to ANOTHER loss? How UNEXPECTED!

Posted from United States

By Martha | July 13th, 2007 at 7:33 am

Luis, how much difference do you think it would have made to have that “The New Figo” kid healthy? And what the HELL is that moron’s excuse for his card-grabbing antics? Can that be down to Coureiro? I mean, has he had problems in the past with getting players to behave, or is that just a stupid kid acting stupid?

Posted from Portugal

By Luis | July 13th, 2007 at 8:15 am

Martha - I’m not sure Bruno Gama would have made much difference. The team showed a total lack of focus and discipline. It’s not uncommon for a squad to come unraveled in situations like this.

Posted from United States

By Ceasar | July 13th, 2007 at 8:15 am

Only one word can describe that match, HORRIBLE!!!!!

I have never seen a PT team play like that in my life. I hope never have to again.

I the first half it was 90%-10% ball possession (the guy in the game, keeping that stat, must have gone out for 1/2hr for a hot dog or something). Their passing was at best at an 8yr old level.

Yes Martha, what the hell was the card grabbing??
Right from the getgo they weren’t prepared. That can only be attributed to Couceiro! And wasn’t the 2nd substitution a piece of genius?? We are down 1 goal and need to get back in the game, and he subs a mid for a defender after having substituted a defender for a striker previously!!! A retarded house plant could do a better job coaching!!!!!

Couceiro should be banned from coaching at any age level above 3yrs old in my opinion. Shameful…

Posted from Canada

By OGrandeTrinco | July 13th, 2007 at 9:11 am

Everything Ceasar said. The game was the worst NT performance I have ever seen. The first half was complete and total domination. It should’ve been 4-0 at the half.

Nobody was moving off the ball and the passing was attrocious. To top it off, we have a spectacle of unsportsmanship and immaturity for the world to see. I am still sick from 2002 JP incident. This type of **** needs to be squashed in the Portuguese sides. Humiliating!

Good luck to Chile, they deserved the win!

Posted from Canada

By Nelson | July 13th, 2007 at 10:29 am

Pitiful performance, end of the game antics were atrocious. It was definitely out of frustration
more than anything. Couceiro Must Go!.

By Ceasar | July 13th, 2007 at 10:36 am

Couceiro should be banned from coaching at any level what so ever!!!!

I say this only because the death penalty has been banned in Canada….

Posted from Canada

By Reis | July 13th, 2007 at 10:58 am

Esta selecciao Portugesa no saben perder e ou Couceiro nao sabe treinar. Tein muitos jogadores mas só jogan para eles mesmos, chorando. Amigos: ó Futbol é pra homes. A sua selecciao é um grupo do bixas

By Luis | July 13th, 2007 at 12:22 pm

This team was set up to fail from the start. Yes they showed a serious lack of maturity, but it was all enabled by their incompetent coach.

Couceiro must GO!

Posted from United States

By Ceasar | July 13th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

Looks like it’s unanimous Couceiro must go.

Unfortunatly the very people who chose him in the first place are still there and making decisions about the NT and program. How does that get changed?

Posted from Canada

By Luis | July 13th, 2007 at 12:41 pm

The FPF has issued a press release apologizing for the incidents in this match and promising to take action after a complete review is completed.

(in Portuguese)
FPF.PT

Posted from United States

By Albo | July 15th, 2007 at 11:21 pm

Luis, quick question off the topic:
Is the picture above from the “Maracanazo”, where in 1950 Uruguay beat Brazil 3-1 ?

Posted from United States

By Pedro P | July 16th, 2007 at 6:28 am

Reis: Bichas o caralho, pa… Tomarias tu…

Posted from Netherlands