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U-21 squad shows grit

October 10th, 2006 | By: Luis | 16 Comments »

Under 21 victory Portugal’s U-21 team successfully qualified for the Euro 2007 Finals by defeating Russia 3 – nil, this afternoon. The first leg of this two game knock out stage was a devastating 90′ minutes, where Portugal suffered an early red card and very quickly found themselves down 4 - 1 away to a very physical and defensive team. By the time the final whistle blew, players and coaches knew the odds were stacked against them. Portugal would need to risk it all and win by a 3 - 0 margin, in the second leg, to move on to the finals. Well, win they did and by exactly the needed margin.

After the first match, Portuguese fans and media had visions of a repeat of the Euro 2006 fiasco where Portugal, at home, failed to make it to the knock out stages of the tournament with one of the most talent laden sides in the competition. Business as usual we thought. But this time, things turned out differently. This time around, when the team was up against the proverbial wall, with little margin for error, the coach on the sideline was not António Oliveira but José Couceiro. What a difference a coach makes.

I must admit that I haven’t followed the career of this José much, but I have always respected him for some reason. He’s the kind of manager that leaves a good impression and assumes his responsibilities with dignity and class even when times are tough. He had a couple of bumpy seasons in the SuperLiga with FC Porto and CF “Os Belenenses”, but hopefully this proves to be a turning point for his career and the U-21 team’s fortunes. After all, the football world can always use another great Portuguese manager named José.

So congratulations to team and coach on a job well done and bring on the Euro 2007 finals.

Força Portugal!

Haven’t done that in a while. That felt good.

Tags: Euro 2007, Portugal, U-21

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Comments

By Pedro P | October 11th, 2006 at 7:42 am

Would love to have seen it…

Can only tell you that last week, the defeat was deserved although hugelly increased by a horrible performance of the Cypriot ref. An inexisting penalty, at minute 93, making it 4-1 against, sort of says it all, right…?

About yesterday, I see one penalty + one own goal, but also read about a plethora of chances created by the kids and a line-up with one holding mid / one super inspired Moutinho as our (future) #10 / 2 strikers and 2 wingers… Who says attacking football days are over?

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-232/index.htm

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-232/artigo584417.htm

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-232/artigo584421.htm

Anyway we went through :-), made the desired and dificult 3-0 and I only hope we bring 3 points tonight, back from Poland… Postiga is (I think) injured, which means N gomes is the only striker there…

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-232/artigo584372.htm

What if things go super well… Anybody thinks we’ll see something like Nani IN for Maniche OUT, and CR more in the box…? Or the usual Scolari conservative approach, no matter what…?

Posted from Netherlands

By Carlos | October 11th, 2006 at 8:44 am

Yes, those words always feel good, don’t they?

José Couceiro, 44 years old (his birthday was a week ago), was president of the SJPF. He managed FC Alverca, which faced relegation, and so he signed to Vitória Sétubal, FC Porto and later to Belenenses of Lisbon (current manager: Jorge Jesus).

Posted from Austria

By Carlos | October 11th, 2006 at 8:49 am

Postiga won’t be able to play, he’s injured in his right/left knee (there are many different versions around ;-)), and so we hope that Nuno can improve because his performance on Saturday was quite lackluster…
I’d love to see Nani in Scolari’s line-up one day, but obviously the time hasn’t come yet… We’ll see.

Posted from Austria

By Luis | October 11th, 2006 at 12:14 pm

Check this out. Bob just posted this on the offsides blog. Caution: broadband recommended.

http://media.foxsoccer.com/webcast/

Fox Soccer Channel is a US network that covers EPL, some international, Serie A and Bundasliga games. I’m not sure how many games will actually be streamed this way because they are still testing the technology, but some of you that want to keep tabs on all our great talents in England may be able to watch the games this way. It’s just a plug-in and the quality is exceptional. You can switch from full screen to window mode with (alt + enter) or cmd (apple) + enter on mac.

Posted from United States

By CR19 | October 11th, 2006 at 5:04 pm

Lets get a article on the Portugal loss today. A devastating loss.

Posted from Canada

By Luis | October 11th, 2006 at 10:40 pm

CR19 don’t be a sore winner. By the way, you never did tell us who your team is. It was a tough loss, but I wouldn’t call it devestating. Enjoy it nonetheless.

Posted from United States

By CR19 | October 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am

Well you always chosen my team for me. Telling me who I cheer for. Dont worry I am sure this will be merely a wake up call.

Posted from Canada

By Luis | October 12th, 2006 at 6:46 am

Nobody was choosing your team for you. I was just giving it back to you after many month of harassment on your part. Anyway, in the spirit of debate,tell us who your team is. You know, my momma always told me that, in life, you should define yourself by what you love not what you hate.