Fútbolita

Well this world cup has been full of surprises hasn’t it! I’m becoming rather paranoid!!! I have quotated Ronaldo before, when he said that in this World Cup you can’t expect to win against the ‘smaller’ teams anymore! He was spot on!  

 The day following the draw,the people in Portugal were still depressed,and questioning our team! But the boys can still count on all their loving supporters in South Africa, when they arrived at their training grounds in Magaliesburg,the next day, about five thousand fans were present, my mother in law was one of them,and she was so excited to tell me that she had gotten Michel’s autograph… Michel? We have a Michel playing for us, why don’t I know this? Who the heck is Michel?! AHHHH Miguel!!!  

Since Tuesday I have gone over and over every possible scenario for this group. The one I like most is the one where Portugal wins their next two games, so we can be at 7 points, and let the others battle it out amongst themselves!  

This group could also end up in a three way tie,or a two way tie, and then be decided on goal difference therefore, I beg you boys, por favor i Please! Score goals, a lot of goals! I think it is safe to say that we will see a more aggressive Portugal in this match! There will probably be some changes in the starting line up! If I were coach I wouldn’t leave a player like Simao on the bench, he is too valuable to us,so I hope he starts in this game. I don’t know when Pepe will start again, but it would be good to see him too, he is so strong!  

As far as goals go, I don’t care which of our players score, as long as they score! Liedson was judged quite a bit after failing to score, but then Cristiano even more, after C.Ronaldo’s name the usual, “if only he played for us the way he plays for his club ” follows!  

 There have been two big stories in the Portuguese press this week!  

One is about Ronaldo’s yellow card, in the previous game!  

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) appealed the yellow card. In a statement, the FPF said: ” The Portuguese player was tripped and pushed near the Ivory Coast penalty box. As soon as he got up, he was surrounded by his opponents and then pushed and insulted.Despite provocations, Cristiano Ronaldo accepted, without complaint, the fact that the referee did not signal disciplinary offence against these players, which is required under the Laws of the Game.Given the facts presented there is a disparity in the showing of the cards, since the African player who committed a foul received a yellow card and the Portuguese player who just tried to walk away from the situation was also punished.”  

FIFA have since rejected the appeal,I thought as much! People are not happy obviously, if Ronaldo gets a yellow in this match, he will miss the Brazil match! No team wants to have such a big name, miss a game as important as that of Brazil! So Ronaldo, Juizo Rapaz!  

Something else that has become an issue is, is there friction in our camp?  

This because when Deco was substituded early, he went straight for the tunnel, instead of joining his team on the bench, and after the game, Deco had this to say: “We weren’t playing great but I’m sure we were improving. The substitutions weren’t as good as they might have been, but the coach makes the calls.” He felt that he had been substituted too early,and he felt that he had it in him to still help his teammates. He was also upset about having to play on the right, “I’m not a winger“.  

This caused an upset, and everyone wondered, if this team is getting along. Deco the following day, had this to say to the media, “I want to make clear that I did not, and do not, have any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to question the leadership and decision making of Carlos Queiroz. The things I said were said in the heat of the moment.”  

 Politics, that’s all this is … So let’s hope all these issues are now forgotten, and let’s get this next win! You have many critics to shut up, so get on with it!  

And just as Murphy’s law would have it, we have just heard that  Deco has hurt his left hip, and is doubtful for Monday’s match!  

I am not going to predict this time, i’m rather going to go the real classy way, and BEG for a win, with at least 3 goals, please and thank you! I leave you with some of the things you might find, if you happen to be in the beautiful Cape Town for Portugal’s next match.  

Força Portugal  

 

Green Point Stadium, hopefully the stadium where Portugal will win their first 2010 wc game!

Just in case you get lost!

 

The vuvuzela that will go off, every time a goal is scored at Green Point Stadium!

 

“In an opening game, you take fewer risks. You don’t throw everything into attack the second game will be much more straight forward: we have to make things happen … we have to win to give ourselves a chance of progressing.” – Carlos Queiroz  

Beijinhos, signing off  

Your Portuguese Futbolita  

Monica