Outright Odds: 22/1
Team D Winners: five/6
Following a disastrous 2002 Planet Cup, during which they concluded bottom in their group following defeats by equally America and South Korea, Portugal will likely be wanting to eventually Reside up for their probable to the Global stage.
Qualification was a breeze. They remained unbeaten inside their team and finished seven factors clear at the best. Portugal intended business In this particular team, putting eleven earlier Luxembourg throughout two legs and hammering second-favourites Russia seven-one at home.
The charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, or Big Phil to his good friends, has built a whole new group to replace the ageing or retired underachievers including Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and others Even though Luis Figo, now coming into veteran status and from retirement, might be current in Germany. Irrespective of guiding Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and emphatic Environment Cup qualification, the general public are still not certain He's the man for your position.
The groups Main relies all around four players 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 give a good foundation to the attack-minded stars to play around.
Attacking gamers which include Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and naturalised Brazilian Deco compliment the side beautifully and build a lot of chances for striker Pauleta. The Paris St. Germain hitman overtook Eusebios history of 41 international aims with an impressive haul of eleven in qualifying, generating him the eu zones prime goalscorer.
Manchester United winger Ronaldo could illuminate the finals along with his expertise and coveted move-overs. He weighed in with 7 qualifying goals from midfield, boosting his Fantasy Soccer stock noticeably.
Portugal have all the makings of a Planet Cup successful side: a strong defence, Remarkable good quality and goalscoring likely from midfield and Europes deadliest striker in qualifying.
Their most important downfall seems to become the goalkeeping position. Sporting Lisbons Ricardo and Quim from Benfica are both of those vying to the jersey although the supporters choice appears to be out-of-favour Vitor Baia. A veteran in the 2002 Environment Cup aspect, 36-yr-outdated Baia was omitted from Scolaris ultimate 23 within the Euro 2004 squad.
Recommended Bet:
The underachieving squad through the previous have Nearly all been replaced by a completely new crop of younger talent. Aged stagers Luis Figo 해외스포츠중계 and Pauleta will seek out a closing swansong, Together with the latter a seem http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=해외스포츠중계 Each individual-way guess for prime goalscorer status.
Portugal to earn Team D @ 5/six
E/W Pauleta as best goalscorer @ 40/1