Outright Odds: 22/one
Group D Winners: five/6
Following a disastrous 2002 World Cup, where they completed base of their group next defeats by the two America and South Korea, Portugal will be aiming to last but not least Dwell up to their potential to the Global phase.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten inside 카지노사이트 their team and finished 7 points crystal clear at the highest. Portugal meant business enterprise In this particular group, Placing eleven previous Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering second-favourites Russia 7-one at your home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Major Phil to his mates, has crafted a different team to replace the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Some others Though Luis Figo, now coming into veteran status and away from retirement, will probably be current in Germany. Even with guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and emphatic Planet Cup qualification, the general public are still not confident He's the man for that task.
The teams core is based close to four gamers who won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004. Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira and midfielder Maniche now all at Chelsea and Costinha, now at Dinamo Moscow provide a strong base for that assault-minded stars to mess around.
Attacking players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the aspect correctly and build numerous prospects for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios history of 41 Intercontinental targets with an impressive haul of 11 in qualifying, generating him the ecu zones top rated goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals with his capabilities and coveted move-overs. He weighed in with seven qualifying targets from midfield, increasing his Fantasy Soccer stock considerably.
Portugal have the many makings of the Globe Cup profitable side: a good defence, Fantastic excellent and goalscoring prospective from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their principal downfall appears to generally be the goalkeeping situation. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are both equally vying with the jersey Even though the supporters alternative seems to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran from the 2002 Earth Cup aspect, 36-12 months-old Baia was omitted from Scolaris ultimate 23 inside the Euro 2004 squad.
Recommended Guess:
The underachieving squad within the previous have Virtually all been replaced by a completely new crop of younger expertise. Previous stagers Luis Figo and Pauleta will try to find a closing swansong, While using the latter a seem each-way guess for leading goalscorer position.
Portugal to win Group D @ five/6
E/W Pauleta as major goalscorer @ forty/one