Brazil v Portugal Live
Click here to join and watch Brazil vs Portugal Live! 
Stadium: Durban, South Africa
Group G (Group Stage - Final Matchround)
Fifa World Cup South Africa 2010
But more is at stake in their matchup tomorrow, the most anticipated of the first round, than pride of Lusophone footballing superiority.
In the round of 16, first place in group G plays second place in group H, and vice versa. Spain should win group H. Thus both colony and colonizer will be fighting to avoid the pre-tournament favorite. Of course, Spain could still advance in second place in its group (or fail to advance), thus making the battle for naught, but the odds favor the group G runner-up taking on the 2008 European Champions.
So while this isn't an absolute must-win, it's certainly a really-really-ought-to-win situation. A win gets either team into first place. And because Portugal failed to defeat Ivory Coast, a draw leaves Brazil on top with seven points and Portugal with five.
To compound Portugal's struggle, it'll be a battle where Brazil, a perennial soccer superpower, is favored slightly. But Portugal has been on the rise in recent years, and its 7-0 blanking of North Korea shows it'll be more than game.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
1. Brazil's Defensive Liability
The Brazilian seleção has long been associated with stylish, elegant, offensive-minded play — at least until Dunga took over. The current head coach, once a defensive midfielder, has instilled a new defense-first mentality anchored by enforcers like Maicon and captain Lúcio — both of whom just won the Champions League, the top European club competition, at Inter Milan. It's just not working exactly to plan, having recently given up late goals to the Ivory Coast and even lowly North Korea. Backers of the U.S. team will also remember the two first-half counterattack goals Brazil conceded in the finals of last year's Confederations Cup to an outmatched American squad. If Portugal can exploit those occasional lapses, Brazil could find itself in a precarious position.
2. Who's Not In
While the field will be decorated by international superstars, worthy of note is who won't be available to both teams. Portuguese winger Nani, who stars for Manchester United, was injured just prior to the World Cup and is out for its entirety. Portugal's playmaking midfielder Deco is also out. On the other side of the field, Brazil's playmaking midfielder Kaká will be missing, suspended after drawing a red card for brushing against an over-acting Ivorian player. This matchup could thus come down the performances of lesser-known reserves.
3. Possess Me
Brazil's Robinho (left) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
Despite the injuries and suspensions, both squads still maintain world-class individual talents. Portugal's attacking midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil's forward Robinho among them. And both teams rely on their many skilled players to maintain possession. The more your team holds the ball, the more opportunities you'll have to build routes to goal.
So with two teams who both make their living on ball control, the heart of the battle will be in midfield. Who will execute more crisply and connect passes? Who will own the central third of the field? Who will assert themselves, and who will be forced to retreat to plan B?
No comments:
Post a Comment