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Portugal – Bosnia Herzegovina: Match Preview

November 8th, 2009 | By: Miguel | 83 Comments »

Portugal vs Bosnia

November, 14, 2009
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
20:30 Lisbon, London; 15:30 New York; 21:30 Zenica

Carlos Queiroz has released the list of players for the play-off matches against Bosnia Herzegovina.

Miguel and Hugo Almeida are back. The surprises are Ricardo Costa, Fábio Coentrão, Hilário and… Cristiano Ronaldo. So we are now calling up the injured as well ?! This must not bode well with the Blancos. I remember CQ screaming murder when he was at Manchester and CR got called up despite being injured… time and pressure do things to a man you wouldn’t believe…

Ronaldo (lets just consider his calling a CQ prank on RM), Pedro Mendes and Bosingwa are all injured. A big blow to the squad but one that I’m confident will not hinder us from achieving our goal.

These lads will see us through:

Goal-keepers:
Hilário (Chelsea)
Eduardo (Braga)
Rui Patrício (Sporting)

Defense:
Miguel (Valencia)
Bruno Alves (Porto)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
Rolando (Porto)
Ricardo Costa (Wolfsburg)

Midfield:
Deco (Chelsea)
Duda (Malaga)
João Moutinho (Sporting)
Miguel Veloso (Sporting)
Raúl Meireles (Porto)
Tiago (Juventus)
Fábio Coentrão (Benfica)

Offense:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Liedson (Sporting)
Nani (Manchester Utd)
Simão Sabrosa (Atlético Madrid)
Edinho (Malaga CF)
Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)

I can’t figure out why we keep needing 3 goal-keepers. Hilario is a good keeper but isn’t he normally on the bench? And isn’t Quim playing every other weekend for Benfica? Ah well…

Ricardo Costa has never been a player I’ve cared much about. Below average was my rating when he played at Porto. Haven’t seen much of him since his move to Wolfsburg. Seeing him pop-up now made me wonder why. He was in the starting eleven last Tuesday when Wolfsburg smashed Besiktas in Turkey with a convincing 3 nil (UEFA Champions League match). Bosnian key striker Dzeko is his team-mate. That explains it. Queiroz phoned the lad and asked him if he knew how to handle the Bosnian. He of-course replied with a very convincing “Oh that’s easy! I know all his moves! He’ll fit nicely in my back-pocket the entire game! No worries mister!”

Fábio Coentrão might be our future left-back. If Jorge Jesus grooms him wright that is. His calling is either to ease him into the squad or because he simply had to call someone up from Benfica after ditching Nuno Gomes. I hope it’s door number one.

Miguel is the perfect candidate to replace Bosingwa. Good to see him back.

If CQ calls me up for an opinion this is what he will hear:

————– Eduardo —————
Miguel — Carvalho — Alves — Veloso
—————- Pepe —————-
———– Tiago —- Deco ———
Simão ——— Liedson ———- Nani

It wouldn’t surprise me if he sacrificed one of the wings in favor of Meireles in midfield.

It’s going to be a tough couple of matches. Bosnia has a very strong team. But in the end we shall prevail! FORÇA PORTUGAL!!!!!

Tags: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Play Off, Portugal, World Cup 2010

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Comments | Add your comment

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 83 comments.

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By Daniel | November 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

why don´t you see a game just like a game??

Posted from Portugal

By Daniel | November 17th, 2009 at 5:43 pm

we must be a very important team.everybody wants to see us out.. and just for you Kenan: you probably still hurt by your loss…………

Posted from Portugal

By Merima | November 17th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Thank you my Bosnian guys for making us so happy. Even though we lost this game in Portugal, and no matter what result will come out tomorrow I just feel great because you are the best team ever. We can see how much you give yourself and you give your heart to this.
Of course that we would like to win tomorrow but even if we don’t we will still celebrate on the streets because you made us so proud.
Chances that I gave you at the beginning of qualifications were almost zero…sorry for this but with Spain, Turkey and Belgium in the group I just felt so. With the current positions I have no other options then to feel wonderful.
Igraj Bosno ne daj se, igraj svi smo uz tebe……. ))))))

By j | November 17th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

Portugal is a great team. They controlled the whole game clearly. Yes, bosnia was somewhat unlacky
But that’s the nature of the sport. I can think of countless recent games that ended up suprising (I.e turkey – croatia).
The advantage that we bosnians have is the intimidation factor. Just the thought of playing in a “war zone” scares the high class portugese team.
- believe bosnia will come through by the narovest margin. 3 – 1 bosnia.

Posted from United States

By DUDE | November 18th, 2009 at 12:15 am

To a guy, so-called “Iberian Visigoths”…. Mate, Bosnia is over 1000 years old, and you can go where Milosevic is now. Hell.
GO BOSNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from Australia

By Viriato | November 18th, 2009 at 12:48 am

Bosnian Supporters
I truly hope your xenophobic views are not a microcosm of the Bosnian peolpe.
It is obvious gypsies are not welcome in some of the Bosnian supporters posting here.
Portugal respects All and FEARS no ONE.
Lusitania 4 ever.

By Viriato | November 18th, 2009 at 12:50 am

WWI alledgedely began in the Balcans.
Lets not start a third.
Peace

By Viriato | November 18th, 2009 at 12:58 am

Hey Chata.
Your name is appropriate.
You are a chato, indeed.
Go to church, mosque or a sinagoge and ask for forgiveness, for you know not what you say.
Cigano

By Viriato | November 18th, 2009 at 1:00 am

Portugal Gypsies?
Heroes of the Sea,
Noble Peole, Valiant Nation, Immortal
Rise again, today to the Spendor of Portugal
Within the confines of memory,
Oh Nation, we feel the voices
Of our great Christian forefathers
That shall lead us to Victory
To Arms, To Arms
Over The Sea and Over Land
To Arms, to Arms
For Portugal we Fight
Against Cannons we March
We March
Afraid of what?
sea Monsters? No
Amazonia? No
We are fearless but civilised.

By Bosnia | November 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am

It was by a stroke of pure luck that Portugal did not lose in Lisabon.

I hope tonight the best team wins. I hope the game will be fair and square and that the judge will see the offsides Portugal makes and does not punish Bosnian team when they are about to score, as it was the case in Lisabon in the last minutes of the game.

I think that both teams have great players and once again, let the best team win.

Best regards to all true football fans from Bosnia!

Posted from Sweden

By Miguel | November 18th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

You have no clue do you?
Since apparently you can’t even make out what an offside is I’m not going to give you much credit. The Swedish flag might also indicate you are still mourning the total annihilation of your team.

Posted from Portugal

By xpertvision | November 18th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

hooligans in portugal? you must be stupid… they start a fight in lisbon what do you want coming from the police?

they spit on our players when we come to bosnia, start calling bad names etc etc , the stadium have horrible conditions , the hotel is a shit , all this made with purpose…

bosnia is just a bunch of savages… whe never done that to enybody , euro 2004 in Portugal was the best and the most lucrative euro of the history

260 millions speak portuguese , dont start bullshits like whe are gypsies , whe just discovered and ruled half world , whe are latins with proud

Posted from Portugal

By Me | November 18th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

Portugal won. I do not need more words!

By Vanio | November 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

I guess in the end, justice does prevail… You Bosnian supporters did deserve it. I think FIFA and everyone is jealous about Portugal because they know our potential, they just try to suppress it.

By Irma | November 19th, 2009 at 1:14 am

To Portugese team and people:

Greetings from a Bosnian girl who lives in the USA!
Please forgive my fellow Bosnian people for such insults,we are not bad people but we are very explosive/anxious/proud people and sometimes it comes accross as rude or mean. As you know we had a war in my country,so being a part of such an event provided a tremendous opportunity to show the world that we can do it (be good at something).I guess people still have issues from war or what not,but I guarantee we don’t hate anyone!
And my understanding is that Portugal did not treat Bosnians so well either…but anyways.It is not good to lose but it’s even worse to lose with no grace!

I hope I can still go to Portugal on vacation and that you guys will show good hospitability:)

By Miguel | November 19th, 2009 at 8:49 am

Congratulations Portugal. My friends from Bosnia: take it easy… A nation and a people that have been through so much should pay more respect for people that never did anything against Bosnia. But well, the embrassement from last night’s game is on Bosnia: for the stadium, for the crazy fans and the flying objects, for hurting the referee, for not being able to be quiet and respect Portugal’s national song. The shame is on you… See you in the next competitions.

Posted from Portugal

By S-Christensen | November 19th, 2009 at 11:52 am

You only talk about how YOUR players were treated in Zenica, but you don´t mention how you treated the bosnian people. It seems like BIH is always the bad guy.
You treated BIH like the worst shit in Lisbon so I only think it´s fair that they spit on you and called you bad names. YOU started the fight,and BIH fight back.
Your fans threw bottles on bosnian journalists during the game. A bosnian girl were attacked only because she was WEARING THE BOSNIAN FLAG.Bosnian fans were injured and were taken to the hospital. You spit on them and insulted them. People were treated like the worst criminals in the airport in Lisbon. And not to mention other things you did…SO PLEASE SHUT THE FUCK UP! YOU DUSGUST ME!!!
You say Portugal is one of the best teams in the world.Of course, it´s easy, when you have money you can buy everything.
You won thanks to your extra player (the refer)and your special talent, ACTING.I have never in my entire life seen such good actors. Your players were falling on the ground when you dont even touch them, like ballerinas.

they spit on our players when we come to bosnia, start calling bad names etc etc , the stadium have horrible conditions , the hotel is a shit , all this made with purpose…

Posted from Denmark

By Miguel | November 19th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Wow… Mr Christensen
in what world are you living in?
everybody saw the game in the television yesterday…
no one saw what you are saying in the television, and even less read in any newspaper of the world.
I like Bosnia, I’ve been there several times. But I starting to think that some Bosnians, like you, have serious problems.
Take care

Posted from Portugal

By Miguel | November 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

And by the way… Portugal having money to buy everything???? LOL… You must be jocking. We are not a rich country my friend, far from that. But being poor doesn’t mean being uncivilized….

Posted from Portugal

By Miguel | November 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Portugal receives every month fans from around the world by the thousands. Clubs such as Porto, Sporting and Benfica frequently host top UEFA games with packed stadiums. We know how to act as hosts. No problems are to be reported. Not one of our qualifiers had any incident reported.

14th of November 2009. Along comes Bosnia. Small holdup at the airport. Standard stuff. You get to the stadium and start throwing stuff onto the pitch after our goal. BiH FA had asked us to cage you like animals because they didn’t want another Belgium incident. We refused but allotted a large amount of police officers to control any bad behaviour. Standard stuff. Supporters try and break the line and force their way onto the pitch. Police react. 5000 fans vs 400 police officers. Police officers have families too, they can panic. The bats come out and I HUGLY REGRET a women got injured. We are all very sorry for this. Believe it. Portugal is a country known for its hospitality, peaceful and kind people. One idiot must have thrown a plastic bottle into the press area. It hit a Bosnian reporter. FFS! Don’t judge us because one idiot cop cracked open a women’s head and another anonymous idiot had the stupidest idea to throw that bottle!

I firmly believe Bosnian press started a smear campaign. We don’t attack girls just because they wear a Bosnian flag! That is ridiculous. We don’t spit on and insult people. This is news that only came out after it happened at your airport. If any of what you say happened here our press would have a field day exposing it all over the news. That is our press. They don’t kid around when it comes to exposing any type of wrong doings, be it from high profiled government officials or Joe Nobody.

Portugal was one of the first countries to come to Bosnia’s aid when the war broke out. We still have military in your country helping. We received with open arms many refugees. They were offered food and shelter and many still work in Portugal. That is our way of live. That is what Portugal does to define its nature. We are the safe harbour for so many people facing all sorts of turmoil in their home country.

The play-off is over. Let us just try and bury all this animosity and move on. Best of luck to Bosnia in the qualifying campaign for the Euro 2012.

Posted from Portugal

By BHF | November 19th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

I love the fact how throughout this past week I haven’t seen Portugal supporters actually STOP being pompous, talking trash and being full of themselves, pre-game, post-game or during the game. And yet the almighty Portugal almost choked up on Bosnia hahaha. I’m Bosnian, but I do admit that we had a much weaker team, and yet the shit froze over in Portuguese fans in game 1 when we hit the woodwork 3 times (twice in the last minute!). Priceless. And quit crying about and using Ronaldo’s absence as an excuse for everything…we were missing 4 great players from the first leg yesterday, too – on paper, you should have beaten us with your second team easily…both times! We did sort of prove one thing though – its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog…BHF 4 life!

Posted from United States

By Miguel | November 19th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Yes your dog had very little fight in him indeed.
Are you mad? Nobody used Ronaldo’s absence as an excuse for anything! What is there to excuse? We won both games! You will even find many of us thinking it’s a good thing (not that I agree).
Did your TV freeze on you during the 1st leg because Portugal was on top most of the game and came out on top in the end. So what if we froze for 5 seconds while 3 balls hit the woodwork. At the end of that game who do you think tasted the sweet ale of victory and who went home crying?

Posted from Portugal

By lara | November 19th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

Hey Miguel,

Do you have better things to do than answer to every post on this site? I guess this shows how opsessed you are…take it easy man, Portugal won, so why are you trying so hard to explain/justify everything???

By Miguel | November 20th, 2009 at 7:02 am

Hey Lara… there are 2 Miguel writing here… I am the one that wrote the post “November 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm”
We take it easy (me and my fellow portuguese collegue). We are being easy… but please, everyone has the right to reply as many times as she/he wants.
Fortenately we don’t have to justify much regarding what happened in this sad episode between BiH and PT…
have fun

Posted from Portugal

By S-Christensen | November 20th, 2009 at 9:53 am

Wow Mr. Miguel
In what world are YOU living in?
Of course they didnt read that because the world wouldnt write something that will put Portugal in a false light. You cant say it didnt happen just because you didnt see it happen, my bosnian friends were there and they told me what was going on.
BIH didnt fight against Portugal. BIH fought aganist the whole world that night, its so obvious whats going on here.
Theres no justice, look what happned to Ireland.

Posted from Denmark