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Portugal - China: Know Your Rivals - Experts Assess Strengths And Weaknesses
Welcome to Goal.com - Know Your Rivals for the World Cup 2010!
Feb 28, 2010 6:00:00 PM
By Paul Macdonald
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents!
Portugal (Sergio Santos)
1. Are you happy with your team's preparations so far/planned preparations?
I can't say I'm too happy with the preparations of the Selecção. Given our tough qualification, I'd like us to play against a stronger opposition in order to gauge our actual ability more accurately. Playing against China and Cape Verde, with all due respect to these teams, is not the best exercise.
2. Why do you think this opposition was chosen? Is it a good choice?
I believe the main rationale behind the decision to play against China was having a low ranked opponent that allowed some experiments with the team. There are still some players being observed by Carlos Queiroz, so playing against a weaker side might give them more visibility and chances to show their ability. I don't think it was the best choice as I'd prefer to see Portugal play against a more physical side in the mould of Ivory Coast, arguably our main rivals in the group. If it was up to me, we'd be playing against Ghana, Cameroon or Nigeria!
3. Do you think your team was chosen because you are similar to the opposition’s World Cup rivals?
Yes, China are somewhat similar to North Korea - as in both teams are relatively weak and will try to hit their better opponents on the break - but I don't believe that played a major role. If Queiroz actually wanted to test his side play against a very defensive side, he would have opted for Northern Ireland as they're very organized and are usually a tough nut to crack.
4. Is your coach under pressure to win this match? What will be the reaction if the game is lost?
Queiroz endured some tough times throughout the World Cup campaign but this match won't bear any serious consequences for him. Even if we were to lose the match - and yes, it would be shocking - most of the blame would be directed towards the new players and tactics tested on the side.
5. Any surprises in the squad? Which player who has been left out should have been selected?
Queiroz already hinted he'll play Rúben Micael, Varela and Fábio Coentrão. The first two have been shining for FC Porto and despite never receiving a call-up, they look odds-on to be at South Africa. Coentrão debuted for the national team in the first leg of the playoff against Bosnia & Herzegovina but he didn't have the best of games, which means he still has something to prove. Queiroz is still to announce the squad for the match against China, but expect Benfica's goalkeeper to be left out of the squad. He isn't worse than Eduardo or Rui Patrício, but despite good performances at club level this season it'd be a surprise to see him in the team again.
6. For which players is this game very important?
The match will be particularly important for those who still haven't guaranteed a spot in the World Cup squad. Players like Micael, Varela and Coentrão neeed to show their inexperience at international level won't affect them, while Danny and Pedro Mendes, for instance, have to prove they've overcome their injuries if they want to be included. It will also be interesting to see whether 33-year-old Nuno Gomes - who has barely featured for Benfica this term - will be get a surprising call-up.
7. What issues in the team need to be addressed?
The left-back position seems to have been handed long ago to Duda, which means that despite our shortcomings in that department, nothing will change till the World Cup. However, there are two issues to will have to be addressed in the upcoming friendly matches. The first one is to see who'll replace Pepe as the holding midfielder. The Real Madrid defender may still recover in time for the tournament, but we need to have a ready-made alternative, which by the way I think will be Pedro Mendes. I think Queiroz should focus on improving the Liédson-Ronaldo partnership because both of them can torment defences and score many goals for the team despite having distinct sets of attributes.
8. And the result?
That's an easy one: 3-0 for Portugal, which may give the team a false sense of security ahead of the World Cup.
China (Tony Mutong, China)
1. How important is this game to your team?
China won East Asian Championship Tournament in February and it was a very positive result for our national team. Although Chinese football is still troubled by match-fixing and corruption scandals, there are renewed hopes of successes.
We are looking forward to more good results from Gao Hongbo's team.
2. Is it a big game for the fans and the media?
Yes, there are few chances for the Chinese international team to face a big name like Portugal. China have only played at the World Cup once. So it is a big match for the fans and the media. Playing against a great player such as Cristiano Ronaldo is exciting for us.
3. Will your strongest team play?
No. On this matchday, there are preparations for Asian Champions League group matches. Players from the top four Chinese clubs last season will have to play for their clubs. Yang Hao and Yang Zhi from Beijing Guoan are key players in this Chinese side. So we will miss them.
But anyway, Portugal is too strong for us. I don't think they will mind if it is not the strongest Chinese team they face.
4. Do you think your team been selected because the World Cup team think you play a similar style to a World Cup opponent?
Yes. In Asia, China is somewhat similar to North Korea. In my opinion, China are quick and work hard, although there is a lack of individual brilliance. North Korea are physically strong and their players will run and fight for 90 minutes..
5. Which of your players should the opposition look out for?
Shao Jiayi, now playing in Bundesliga 2 side Energie Cottbus, is the best player in current Chinese team. His free-kick skill is great.
Defenders Du Wei and Feng Xiaoting are also very good, although i guess they will have a busy match against Simao, Ronaldo and Deco.
6. How can your team test the opposition? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Chinese players are fast. That is our strength. We also play hard and are defensively strong.
Our weaknesses are inferior individual brilliance to European and Americian players. Also, we still lack experience to face a strong side from other continents.
7. Why didn't you qualify for the World Cup?
There are many reasons - the corruption of the China Football Assosation, failure to develop young players, a poor league...
8. What will be the result?
We played against Portugal before WC 2002 in Macao and the result was a 2-0 defeat. I think if Portugal select all their best players, the result could be 4-0 or 4-1.
I am sorry for my negative prediction, but the distance between us is obvious.
| Bet: | Returns: | Portugal £11.00 | Draw £80.00 | Macedonia FYR £150.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Portugal £10.70 | Draw £75.00 | Macedonia FYR £190.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Portugal £11.25 | Draw £80.00 | Macedonia FYR £150.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Portugal £11.30 | Draw £80.00 | Macedonia FYR £210.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Portugal £11.00 | Draw £80.00 | Macedonia FYR £151.50 |
|
Portugal (Sergio Santos)
1. Are you happy with your team's preparations so far/planned preparations?
I can't say I'm too happy with the preparations of the Selecção. Given our tough qualification, I'd like us to play against a stronger opposition in order to gauge our actual ability more accurately. Playing against China and Cape Verde, with all due respect to these teams, is not the best exercise.
2. Why do you think this opposition was chosen? Is it a good choice?
I believe the main rationale behind the decision to play against China was having a low ranked opponent that allowed some experiments with the team. There are still some players being observed by Carlos Queiroz, so playing against a weaker side might give them more visibility and chances to show their ability. I don't think it was the best choice as I'd prefer to see Portugal play against a more physical side in the mould of Ivory Coast, arguably our main rivals in the group. If it was up to me, we'd be playing against Ghana, Cameroon or Nigeria!
3. Do you think your team was chosen because you are similar to the opposition’s World Cup rivals?
Yes, China are somewhat similar to North Korea - as in both teams are relatively weak and will try to hit their better opponents on the break - but I don't believe that played a major role. If Queiroz actually wanted to test his side play against a very defensive side, he would have opted for Northern Ireland as they're very organized and are usually a tough nut to crack.
4. Is your coach under pressure to win this match? What will be the reaction if the game is lost?
Queiroz endured some tough times throughout the World Cup campaign but this match won't bear any serious consequences for him. Even if we were to lose the match - and yes, it would be shocking - most of the blame would be directed towards the new players and tactics tested on the side.
5. Any surprises in the squad? Which player who has been left out should have been selected?
Queiroz already hinted he'll play Rúben Micael, Varela and Fábio Coentrão. The first two have been shining for FC Porto and despite never receiving a call-up, they look odds-on to be at South Africa. Coentrão debuted for the national team in the first leg of the playoff against Bosnia & Herzegovina but he didn't have the best of games, which means he still has something to prove. Queiroz is still to announce the squad for the match against China, but expect Benfica's goalkeeper to be left out of the squad. He isn't worse than Eduardo or Rui Patrício, but despite good performances at club level this season it'd be a surprise to see him in the team again.
6. For which players is this game very important?
The match will be particularly important for those who still haven't guaranteed a spot in the World Cup squad. Players like Micael, Varela and Coentrão neeed to show their inexperience at international level won't affect them, while Danny and Pedro Mendes, for instance, have to prove they've overcome their injuries if they want to be included. It will also be interesting to see whether 33-year-old Nuno Gomes - who has barely featured for Benfica this term - will be get a surprising call-up.
7. What issues in the team need to be addressed?
The left-back position seems to have been handed long ago to Duda, which means that despite our shortcomings in that department, nothing will change till the World Cup. However, there are two issues to will have to be addressed in the upcoming friendly matches. The first one is to see who'll replace Pepe as the holding midfielder. The Real Madrid defender may still recover in time for the tournament, but we need to have a ready-made alternative, which by the way I think will be Pedro Mendes. I think Queiroz should focus on improving the Liédson-Ronaldo partnership because both of them can torment defences and score many goals for the team despite having distinct sets of attributes.
8. And the result?
That's an easy one: 3-0 for Portugal, which may give the team a false sense of security ahead of the World Cup.
China (Tony Mutong, China)
1. How important is this game to your team?
China won East Asian Championship Tournament in February and it was a very positive result for our national team. Although Chinese football is still troubled by match-fixing and corruption scandals, there are renewed hopes of successes.
We are looking forward to more good results from Gao Hongbo's team.
2. Is it a big game for the fans and the media?
Yes, there are few chances for the Chinese international team to face a big name like Portugal. China have only played at the World Cup once. So it is a big match for the fans and the media. Playing against a great player such as Cristiano Ronaldo is exciting for us.
3. Will your strongest team play?
No. On this matchday, there are preparations for Asian Champions League group matches. Players from the top four Chinese clubs last season will have to play for their clubs. Yang Hao and Yang Zhi from Beijing Guoan are key players in this Chinese side. So we will miss them.
But anyway, Portugal is too strong for us. I don't think they will mind if it is not the strongest Chinese team they face.
4. Do you think your team been selected because the World Cup team think you play a similar style to a World Cup opponent?
Yes. In Asia, China is somewhat similar to North Korea. In my opinion, China are quick and work hard, although there is a lack of individual brilliance. North Korea are physically strong and their players will run and fight for 90 minutes..
5. Which of your players should the opposition look out for?
Shao Jiayi, now playing in Bundesliga 2 side Energie Cottbus, is the best player in current Chinese team. His free-kick skill is great.
Defenders Du Wei and Feng Xiaoting are also very good, although i guess they will have a busy match against Simao, Ronaldo and Deco.
6. How can your team test the opposition? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Chinese players are fast. That is our strength. We also play hard and are defensively strong.
Our weaknesses are inferior individual brilliance to European and Americian players. Also, we still lack experience to face a strong side from other continents.
7. Why didn't you qualify for the World Cup?
There are many reasons - the corruption of the China Football Assosation, failure to develop young players, a poor league...
8. What will be the result?
We played against Portugal before WC 2002 in Macao and the result was a 2-0 defeat. I think if Portugal select all their best players, the result could be 4-0 or 4-1.
I am sorry for my negative prediction, but the distance between us is obvious.
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Make Your Prediction
Portugal - Macedonia FYR
Portugal
Macedonia FYR
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Portugal 8-0 Macedonia FYR
- 24.1 %
-
Portugal 4-0 Macedonia FYR
- 12.46 %
-
Portugal 3-0 Macedonia FYR
- 10.82 %
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