decisive match for the russians at the Lokomotiv Stadium next wednesday

Group 3 table:

Portugal 23
Slovakia 18
Russia 18
Latvia 14
Estonia 14
Liechtenstein 5
Luxembourg 0

the russians have to win to don't let the slovakians get an advantage for the playoff place.

Portugal could get the WC spot if win and Slovakia don't get the 3 points against Latvia.

my bet: 1-2 Portugal :)

7 - 1 Russia

2-0 Portugal

It'll be a tough game for us, but I'm fully confident we can come out with at least a tie. That'll essentially put us in the WC and leave Russia and the Slovaks to fight it out for 2nd..

I'd be satisfied with a 0-0. Although Figo, Deco, and the boys seem fired up for a win in Moscow. We'll see..

as we're virtually qualified already unless something really bad happens, I'm affraid the players put on our usual portuguese half assed effort.

C'mon Pornotugal!

1-7 Portugal

No, really, 0-2 Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao.

Russia's been so crap lately, Portugal should ensure their qualification without much sweat.

We're so going to win :jambo:

1-4
Ricardo (o.g.) :read:
Deco, Ronaldo x2, Postiga

It wont be an easy match and I dont see another trashing to Russia, I predict a draw 2-2.

it will be completely different game in comparison with the first one in Portugal. new coach, new squad...
i predict 2-1.

I think the overall outcome will be 2-0 to Portugal :chew:

C'mon Pornotugal!

LOL !! HAHAHA !! :D :D
================================================== ======
Russia will pull everything they've got in this match to claim 2nd spot. I'm not surprised if Russia can win this match.

Russia 3-2 Portugal.

Portugal has enough of...everything, to beat Russia. Since it's in Moscow, I'll say 2-0 Portugal.

If Ricardo don't screw up we might have a chance of winning this game... :chew:

IMO the result will be 1-1 or 1-2... anyway i'm crossing my fingers to see another pathetic display of that guy we all know but still a win for us...

BTW what u guys think of the flash interview of Scolari after yesterday's game? I think he was ridiculous with that sentence of "palhaçada" about the players that are benched in his clubs and playing regularly in the NT... that's because of these statements i don't like this brazilian, it was about time to see what other people clearly see, the better players in his clubs should be the ones that play...

I have Russian roots. I will rape a dozen virgin sheep before the kickoff of this match to bring good luck and fortune to my Fatherland's National team.


(8) If I were a tree, I'd be an Evergreen....oh yes, if I were a tree, I'd be an Evergreen....oh yes, If I were a tree, I'd be an Evergreen. (8)


(A Russian folk song sung by the fans before the start of big sporting events)

We already have players in great form (Andrade, Deco...) which might prove crucial against Russia. Our lads are very motivated and it'll be a battle out there. My bet: we won't lose this game and will score at least one goal.

FORÇA!

']If Ricardo don't screw up we might have a chance of winning this game... :chew:

IMO the result will be 1-1 or 1-2... anyway i'm crossing my fingers to see another pathetic display of that guy we all know but still a win for us...

BTW what u guys think of the flash interview of Scolari after yesterday's game? I think he was ridiculous with that sentence of "palhaçada" about the players that are benched in his clubs and playing regularly in the NT... that's because of these statements i don't like this brazilian, it was about time to see what other people clearly see, the better players in his clubs should be the ones that play...

We haven't lost a game in a very long time, yet you still question Scolari. I know some of his decisions raise eyebrows, but have some faith. The guy took us further than any other coach has. I for one am glad that Scolari doesn't listen to the media or to club fans.

My opinion:
All our gk's are the same. They're all frangos. Baia was in WC 2002, Moreira's a kid(not a prodigy like Casillas), Quim doesn't play enough, and Ricardo gets retarded sometimes. What's most important is the defence in front of them and we have a World Class defence. IMO Ricardo gets screwed over at Sporting because they have a ****ty defence. Polga should be playing for Luxemburg the way he plays.

Now as for strikers, who the f*** do we have. Pauleta IS Portugal's best striker. He plays the most games, scores the most goals, and has the most experience. Pauleta's goals yesterday were very classy. Nuno Gomes is too inconsistent, Postiga scores once in a blue moon, and....wait no and. There is noone else. Hugo Almeida??? Please, he ain't ready.

So in conclusion, our problem is the fact that we don't have much depth available for those two positions. Every other position is superb. Trust in Scolari people, he hasn't let us down. Trust that he will make the right decisions. The emotion he showed for our team and country during the Euro won me over. He cares about our team and about winning regardless of all the criticism he recieves from idiots on their soap boxes. What our team needs most from us is complete support. The same type of support that Algarve gave Ricardo yesterday.

I know some of his decisions raise eyebrows, but have some faith. The guy took us further than any other coach has.

Maybe because he had one of the best portuguese NT's of all-time to coach...

I for one am glad that Scolari doesn't listen to the media or to club fans.

Guess what he did after the defeat against Greece in the opening game of Euro? He listened everyone's else opinion and chaged the team, the results in the next games proved that all the people and the media had reasons to complain about his decisions... and we only lost the final because of the "great ability" of Ricardo in crosses... :rolleyes:

My opinion:
All our gk's are the same. They're all frangos. Baia was in WC 2002...

If it wasn't Baía against Korea we could have lost by 5 goals...

What's most important is the defence in front of them and we have a World Class defence.

Yes our NT defenders are great but with such a moron behind them is hard to play with many confidence...


Now as for strikers, who the f*** do we have. Pauleta IS Portugal's best striker. He plays the most games, scores the most goals, and has the most experience. Pauleta's goals yesterday were very classy. Nuno Gomes is too inconsistent, Postiga scores once in a blue moon, and....wait no and. There is noone else. Hugo Almeida??? Please, he ain't ready.

In this i agree with everything u said, still Pauleta sometimes can really get on my nerves, he's nothing more then our most efficient striker... unfortunately we don't have a best player in his position.


Trust in Scolari people, he hasn't let us down. Trust that he will make the right decisions.

Sorry but i can't trust in a guy who thinks Ricardo is the best GK in our country... i really can't. Isn't the fact of losing an Euro Final because of his stupidity enough to let us all down?

What our team needs most from us is complete support. The same type of support that Algarve gave Ricardo yesterday.

In the moment the best portuguese players are in the field and we don't see ridiculous decisions my country will ALWAYS have my full support.

Selecção Nacional “AA”: Federação toma medidas para proteger Maniche
A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol alertou as autoridades russas para a necessidade de proteger Maniche, durante o período em que o jogador estiver em Moscovo com a selecção nacional. As recentes declarações de insatisfação de Maniche, que se encontra ao serviço do Dínamo de Moscovo – “não gosto do clima... não gosto do país” –, caíram mal entre os adeptos russos e, conscientes da situação, os dirigentes federativos portugueses receiam a eventualidade de uma retaliação sobre o internacional português

and after the match when he will have to return to the club? or his plans are to not return?

if he doesn't return he'll be suspended by Fifa so...

I can only see him leaving in January. Unless the contract will be terminated and he will leave the club as a free agent, but I don't think Dynamo is willing to do that...

Selecção Nacional “AA”: Federação toma medidas para proteger Maniche
A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol alertou as autoridades russas para a necessidade de proteger Maniche, durante o período em que o jogador estiver em Moscovo com a selecção nacional. As recentes declarações de insatisfação de Maniche, que se encontra ao serviço do Dínamo de Moscovo – “não gosto do clima... não gosto do país” –, caíram mal entre os adeptos russos e, conscientes da situação, os dirigentes federativos portugueses receiam a eventualidade de uma retaliação sobre o internacional português

and after the match when he will have to return to the club? or his plans are to not return?
not a big surprise. look at the perfomance of the team - looks like Russia don't suit no one in Dynamo.

Looks like C.Ronaldo won't be playing his father just passed away a few hours ago. RIP :(

Yeah, I just heard that. It must be a really hard moment for Cristiano...

RIP

that's a shame :( RIP

Hope the rest of the team can get the victory for him today..

Rip :(

Ronaldo will play.

A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) confirmou hoje que Cristiano Ronaldo já falou com Luiz Felipe Scolari e vai jogar a partida de hoje frente à Rússia, que pode já dar o apuramento para o Mundial caso a Selecção Nacional ganhe e a Eslováquia não vença a Estónia. O jogador do Manchester United, apesar de estar em sofrimento pela morte do pai, Dinis Aveiro, pretende ajudar os companheiros na deslocação a Moscovo.

"A decisão já está tomada praticamente desde que teve conhecimento do falecimento do pai. Foram colocados à disposição do Cristiano Ronaldo todos os meios para que abandonasse a concentração, mas ele, em conjunto com o seleccionador, tomou a decisão de ficar e vai jogar", explicou à Agência Lusa Carlos Godinho, director desportivo da FPF

i don't think he should be playing :( he won't focus on the game and will not perform :(

Or maybe he'll put everything he has into it. We'll find out in an hour and a half.

RIP Dinis Aveiro

RIP. I wouldn´t play either but it´s Ronaldo´s choice.

8 minutes to kick off

line ups:

Rússia: Akinfeev, Vassily Berezoutsky, Ignashevitch, Alexei Berezoutsky, Anyukov, Smertin, Aldonin (cap.), Evseev, Titov, Kerzahkov e Arshavin.

Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Jorge Andrade, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche, Luís Figo (cap.) Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo e Pauleta

Forca Ronaldo!!! Forca Portugal!!!

From what I'm reading on Record.pt, both Ricardo's have been saving us.

Yellow card to Deco for complaining over a foul.

Smertin off. About time rat face was sent off. He did about 4 harsh tackles, looked like he wanted to get sent off. Sad.

Ht 0-0. Game completely under control.

half time: 0-0

That should open up alot of space for us now. Maybe Scolari will bring in Postiga to put more pressure on the Russians.

Forca Portugal!!!

Nuno it´s ForÇa not forca :p

forca com o Ricardo!

:funny:

forca com o Ricardo!

:funny:

:rofl: :rofl:

Nuno it´s ForÇa not forca :p

Eu sei caralho!! I just don't have those letters.

we'll Ricardo saved our arses off that kerzakov shot that was pretty darn difficult so I won't bitch about him today (H)

Lol ok i thought that you were one of those luso-descendents that have a rusty portuguese. I can´t remember who was it that had something like "Benfica para a vida", i laughed everytime i saw it. Sry mate.

yeah he deserves a peace day... well let's see the second half :ewan:

Yeah using a saying that it´s appropriate to Ricardo " Don't count your chickens before they hatch".

Wtf our players clearly need a shooting practice. Ah yes Pauleta is his usual useless self.

Lol ok i thought that you were one of those luso-descendents that have a rusty portuguese. I can´t remember who was it that had something like "Benfica para a vida", i laughed everytime i saw it. Sry mate.

Nope. I was born in Portugal and moved to New Jersey when I was five. I have no accent with either language.

****in Pauleta, hate his guts.

****in Pauleta, hate his guts.

I laughed at the end of this comment from record.

Cristiano Ronaldo está "em fogo"! Ultrapassa dois adversários e deixa em Pauleta, que perde a bola.

Finally, Postiga in for Pauleta, good riddance.

From what I'm reading, we're creating alot of chances, but noone can finish. :nape:

Moutinho or Manuel Fernandes should take over for Maniche permanently.

bah... this 0-0 is frustating. we shoud have win this.

FT Russia-0 Portugal-0. Crap performance but it was enough for us to tie in Moscow. I think we were actually playing better when Russia had 11.

Slovakia is winning 1-0 in Latvia, Vittek goal. I hope Slovakia gets the 2nd place, their team is better than Russia.

bah... this 0-0 is frustating. we shoud have win this.

1. We need a new striker. From where, I do not know.
2. We had sh*tty luck today.

We just need one win to qualify.

Bloody Postiga can't even string a f*cking pass, useless twat.

Pauleta and Postiga = :sb9:

Nuno Gomes is our best striker (how incredible it may sounds...)

Seriously, we have a great team but we gotta work on a solution for our striker position. Pauleta is useless, everytime i say that he can´t do worst than that, he surprises me with yet another terrible performance. He only scores against mediocre teams and when the game is already solved. It´s impossible that Scolari doesn´t realize that. I can´t name one positive aspect of his performance today.

Damnit, 0-0 against the Ruskies? I blame Virgo and INFESTA! :(

Dem poor Crazy Ivans are gone........ah well.............. :boohoo:

Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Portugal 9 7 2 0 30 4 23
Slovakia 9 5 3 1 22 7 18
Russia 9 5 3 1 18 11 18
Estonia 10 4 2 4 14 16 14
Latvia 10 4 2 4 17 17 14
Liechtenstein 10 1 2 7 9 21 5
Luxembourg 9 0 0 9 4 38 0


Is this correct?

I think this is the correct table Yoss

Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Portugal 10 7 3 0 30 4 24
Russia 10 5 4 1 18 11 19
Slovakia 9 5 3 1 22 7 18
Estonia 10 4 2 4 14 16 14
Latvia 10 4 2 4 17 17 14
Liechtenstein 10 1 2 7 9 21 5
Luxembourg 9 0 0 9 4 38 0

Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Portugal 9 7 2 0 30 4 23
Slovakia 9 5 3 1 22 7 18
Russia 9 5 3 1 18 11 18
Estonia 10 4 2 4 14 16 14
Latvia 10 4 2 4 17 17 14
Liechtenstein 10 1 2 7 9 21 5
Luxembourg 9 0 0 9 4 38 0


Is this correct?

No. It still hasn't got the Portugal-Russia result and if Latvia-Slovakia keeps the way it is at the moment, the table will be:

Portugal 10 7 3 0 30 4 24
Slovakia 10 6 3 1 23 7 21
Russia 10 5 4 1 18 11 19
Estonia 10 4 2 4 14 16 14
Latvia 11 4 2 5 17 18 14
Liechtenstein 10 1 2 7 9 21 5
Luxembourg 9 0 0 9 4 38 0

So, unless a catastrophe happens (like the one away at Liechtenstein), we're almost certainly qualifying in the next game, 8th OCtober, in Aveiro against Liechtenstein. We only need 3 points in the next 2 matches (both home, against Liechtenstein and Latvia) and we may not even need them if Slovakia doesn't win all of their remaining games.

About today's game, it was a poor performance and we could have done much better in the 2nd half against 10 men. Anyway, we managed to get the draw, which was fundamental. Comments on players: Ricardo was well today; Costinha and Maniche clearly aren't the same they were 2 years ago, so I think that ATM Petit, João Moutinho and Manuel Fernandes are much better options; we don't have decent strikers, Pauleta was pathetic and Postiga competed with him...

Coolies, bros.

Yep i bet that Pauleta will be our Scapegoat in Germany. This if Scolari doesn´t change his mind and he won´t.

My thoughts about the game: we should have won against 10 men, Russia didn't show enough to be a though opponent but again our lack of a GOOD striker was very clear, this 0-0 is a bad result and a little but frustrating but it's enough for our qualification... Figo is not the same of a couple of years ago, Costinha the same thing, Nuno Valente seems not in form and Pauleta and Postiga the usual crap... :rolleyes: Deco and Ronaldo were probably the best in this match, Simão wasn't that bad too.

This was probably one of the most easy qualifications i remember but i think it's fair saying that it was a weak group, Russia seemed to be our main opponent in the beggining but they are very far from the powerful Soviet Union of the 70's and 80's... now we'll qualify in the next match if everything goes normal and the next games should give us a more clear idea of the players that will be used in the WC... i don't have many hopes for the competition but let's wait to see what players will be called in that time, hope the best ones.

it was important the fact that we were seeded in the draw. and the pot 2 team that we got was the weakest. i hope the same luck in the euro2008 draw :p

']My thoughts about the game: we should have won against 10 men, Russia didn't show enough to be a though opponent but again our lack of a GOOD striker was very clear, this 0-0 is a bad result and a little but frustrating but it's enough for our qualification... Figo is not the same of a couple of years ago, Costinha the same thing, Nuno Valente seems not in form and Pauleta and Postiga the usual crap... :rolleyes: Deco and Ronaldo were probably the best in this match, Simão wasn't that bad too.

This was probably one of the most easy qualifications i remember but i think it's fair saying that it was a weak group, Russia seemed to be our main opponent in the beggining but they are very far from the powerful Soviet Union of the 70's and 80's... now we'll qualify in the next match if everything goes normal and the next games should give us a more clear idea of the players that will be used in the WC... i don't have many hopes for the competition but let's wait to see what players will be called in that time, hope the best ones.


I gotta agree with you. It was unbelievable how Scolari didn't do any changes on the formation after Russia being playing with only 10 men. I heard this on Antena 1 on the radio and it's true, Scolari doesn't have a "plan B", Portugal continues to play the same way. We lost agaisnt Greece twice on Euro 2004 and it was similar, he should clearly have won, specially the 2nd one, on the final, but no we played the same way.

And I even remebered Nuno Gomes when I saw Postiga trying to frustrately execute those combinations and 1-2 moves. :nape: Pauleta was so bad it's not even funny anymore. Yes, he scored twice against Luxemburg (yay?) but was a total waste the rest of the match, just like he was against Russia. And he should've subbed Maniche, why is it that some players have a granted place on the 11 ?He's been playing so baddly lately, and he can thank himself for that - at Dinamo. Moutinho and Simão should've gone in way before as well.

Meh.. At least we're almost on the final stages of Euro 2006.

Wow! I take my previous comments about Pauleta back. He is not our best striker. I'm guessing incosistent Nuno Gomes is our best striker. Too bad he's always hurt. I just don't get it. Pauleta scores awesome goals at PSG, but can't score when it really matters for Portugal. It's like he's two different people.

Meh.. At least we're almost on the final stages of Euro 2006.

Huh? I guess you mean WC 2006. ;)

Meh.. At least we're almost on the final stages of Euro 2006.
There won't be much competition for you at the Euro 2006.

What's with all the negative Maniche comments on here seriously I dont think he played that bad. Pauleta & Figo played horrible. Figo was way too slow for the attacks and Pauleta screwed up everytime he got the ball.

I'm satisfied with the draw but Portugal cannot screw up now, this is it. 1 more win and were off to Germany. :lui:

There won't be much competition for you at the Euro 2006.


I think he was referring to the under 21 Euro. At least I hope he was.

I'm satisfied with the draw but Portugal cannot screw up now, this is it. 1 more win and were off to Germany. :lui:

errrrr...we only need 1 point and we are going to play against Liechtenstein and Latvia at home... :rolleyes:

i think it's pretty safe to assume that we're in the WC :jap:

LOL Yes WC 2006, of course, never you mind :p

Guess I was still thinking how we lost that damn final last Euro :(

Portuguese players were below their par. Ricardo is man of the match. Loved to see the way he saved using one hand. What a saved ! (H)

A fair result nonetheless by both teams.

Damnit, 0-0 against the Ruskies? I blame Virgo and INFESTA! :(

Hey, where's Denmark and Bosnia anyway? (6)

Well, actually i can't say that in this game team Portugal was closer to the victory than we were. Yes, they controlled the ball much longer, but they didn't create any moments, except for a couple of distant shots. Kerzhakov's moments were more dangerous, IMHO.

Whatever...next team is easy if we play like we can. Even a draw fits to go to the World Cup. IMO, we are there arleady

Hey, where's Denmark and Bosnia anyway? (6)



Well, I must say that I didn't really expect this from you Hugo, but if you really don't know, then:

http://www.soccergaming.tv/attachment.php?attachmentid=125447&stc=1

Now you've learnt something new. (C)(H)