Portugal Schedule & Results | Scouting Report | Road to Euro 2004

<%@ page language="java" contentType="text/html" %> <%@ page import="javax.xml.transform.*"%> <%@ page import="javax.xml.transform.stream.*"%> <% /** * This JSP may use PMA to set param1 in the * foo.xsl stylesheet before using the * stylesheet to transform foo.xml * and outputing the result. * HTML tags are not in this release, as it is an include and requires none. * The xincludes folder is at the root of the sports directory. * To use: * * @authors Paul Campbell seapwc@halcyon.com, Khal Shariff khal_shariff@cbc.ca * @version $Id: transFormer.jsp,v 1.2 2004/06/08 21:10:10 shariffk Exp $ */ String docPath = application.getRealPath("/"); String furtherPath = ""; docPath = docPath + furtherPath; String paramValue = request.getParameter("PMA"); String xmlFile = request.getParameter("XML"); String xslFile = request.getParameter("XSL"); xmlFile = docPath + xmlFile; xslFile = docPath + xslFile; TransformerFactory tFactory = TransformerFactory.newInstance(); Transformer transformer = tFactory.newTransformer(new StreamSource(xslFile)); transformer.setParameter("param1", paramValue); transformer.transform( new StreamSource(xmlFile), new StreamResult(out)); %>

Style of Play:
Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has experimented and tinkered with Portugal’s lineup over the past 12 months, but the most common setup he seems to use is a 4-2-3-1 formation with a packed midfield. Scolari has instilled pragmatism and defensive muscle to the side, anchored by a strong central defensive pairing in the middle (captain Fernando Couto and either Ricardo Carvalho or Jorge Andrade). That’s not to say Portugal has lost its attacking zeal. The left and right fullbacks (Paulo Ferreira and Rui Jorge) often join the rush, giving Portugal added attacking options. Their movement forward allow the two wide midfielders (Luis Figo on the right and Simao Sabrosa on the left) to move inside and provide the lone striker (Pauleta) more support from the middle of the field. The striker also relies on service from the central-midfielder (Rui Costa) but Portugal’s attack hinges on Figo, as he sets things up and pulls the playmaking strings. Two defensive ball-winning midfielders (usually Armando Petit and Francisco Costinha) provide support for the defence, while allowing the attackers to do their business up front. If Portugal is behind on the scoreboard, Scolari will pull one of these two defensive battlers off and replace them with another attacking option in midfield (Deco or Tiago) or he will add another forward (likely Nuno Gomes).

Strengths:
Coaching – Luiz Felipe Scolari is a winner. One of Brazil's most triumphant club managers, he successfully revived an ailing Brazil team and led them to victory at the 2002 World Cup. Tactically shrewd, he has a knack of getting the most out of his players and is single-minded in his win-at-all-costs philosophy.

Team chemistry – Scolari did a masterful job of re-hauling Portugal’s national team after its disastrous World Cup 2002 campaign. He axed goalkeeper Vitor Baia and forward Joao Pinto, both veterans that have grown ineffective with the passage of time. At the same time, he’s introduced newcomers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago Mendes to build a team made up of experienced veterans and talented youngsters.

Home field advantage - Every match will be a home game for Portugal. Playing in front of your own fans on home soil can carry teams far in international play (just look at South Korea two years ago at the World Cup), and Portugal will no doubt feed off that support as it progresses through the tournament.

Weaknesses:
Pressure – While playing before their home fans will be a definite advantage, it will also put a tremendous amount of pressure on Portugal. Expectations are high, especially after their first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup, and anything less than an appearance in the final by Portugal will be viewed as a massive disappointment.

Creating chances – Despite having several talented playmakers in the squad, Portugal struggled to create scoring chances during exhibition games leading up to Euro 2004. The defenders often venture forward with the ball, but they don’t link up effectively with the midfielders, leaving playmakers such as Figo and Costa famished from a lack of possession.

A set starting 11 – Scolari has a wealth of players at virtually every position to choose from, but he has yet to find a starting 11 formation that works for him. His tenure as coach has seen him constantly tinker and experiment with Portugal’s starting lineup, producing a mixture of results. There are serious doubts about whether he can solve the starting lineup mystery by the time Euro starts.

Key Players to watch:
Luis Figo – The fulcrum of Portugal’s attack. The midfielder is blessed with a wide array of skills (superb dribbling, blistering acceleration, a rocket for a shot and visionary passing skills) that make him one of the elite soccer players in the world today. He's also a dangerous goal-scoring threat that enjoys taking on defenders one-on-one and beating them with his pace and power.

Deco – A Brazilian-born midfielder who was granted Portuguese citizenship in March 2003, Deco has established himself as one of the best playmakers in the game over the past two seasons with FC Porto. Combines attacking flair with a solid work ethic and uses his sublime passing skills to create chances for his strikers.

Ricardo Carvalho – A tough, talented battler, Carvalho cuts an imposing figure in central defence. He’s excellent in the air when covering high crosses into the box, and is an attacking threat when he makes his penetrating runs up field. Was a key figure in the FC Porto side that won this year’s Champions League final.

Key injuries/squad omissions:
In a major surprise, Scolari didn’t select forward Luis Boa Morte, and instead picked Helder Postiga who is coming off an atrocious season with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premiership. Another surprise selection was midfielder Maniche Ribeiro, who hasn’t made an appearance in the national team since last September. In a not-so-surprising move, veterans Vitor Baia (goalkeeper) and Joao Pinto (forward) were axed from the national team selection due to Scolari’s decision to go with youth. Central defender Fernando Meira was also by-passed, no doubt due to his lack of discipline during a recent training session. Youngster Hugo Viana didn’t get a look from Scolari after failing to earn a regular starting spot with his club Newcastle United this past season in the English Premiership. Midfielder Ricardo Quaresma was ruled out after deciding to undergo surgery on his right foot. Veteran defender Rui Jorge made the final cut after being cleared over his positive doping test.

Prognosis:
In many ways this is Portugal’s tournament to lose. As hosts, they are a lock to progress beyond the opening-group stage and most Portuguese fans will view anything less than an appearance in the final as failure. This is the last throw of the dice for players such as Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Fernando Couto who were a part of the ‘golden generation’ that lead Portugal to victory at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 1991. A lot was expected of the players who made up that team, but they’ve subsequently failed to deliver any silverware for the senior side. Now they have the chance to make amends on home soil. If Figo is at his best, and if they get a few lucky bounces and calls from the refs, Portugal can finally fulfill its destiny by laying claim to the mantle of champions of Europe. More than likely, however, an appearance in the semifinals is as far as they will go – and if they have to face France in the quarter-finals, their Euro journey will end there.

Current FIFA Ranking: #20

First-round matches:
June 12 vs. Greece (Porto)
June 16 vs. Russia (Lisbon)
June 20 vs. Spain (Lisbon)

Euro 2004 qualification route:
Qualified automatically as host nation.

Number of Previous Euro Appearances: 4
All-time record: 17 GP -- 10 W, 3 D, 4 L Goals for: 28 Goals against: 17
Biggest defeat: 1-5 vs. Yugoslavia in 1960
Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. Croatia in 1996, vs. Germany in 2000

Euro History:
1960 – quarter-final
1964 – did not qualify
1968 – did not qualify
1972 – did not qualify
1976 – did not qualify
1980 – did not qualify
1984 – semifinals
1988 – did not qualify
1992 – did not qualify
1996 – quarter-final
2000 - semifinals

Past Achievements:
World Cup semi-finalists: 1966 in England
FIFA World Under-20 Champions: 1989, 1991
UEFA European Under-18 Champions: 1994

Greatest Players:
Eusebio: Eusebio da Silva Ferreira joined Portuguese powerhouse Benfica as a 19-year-old in 1961 and quickly became one of the greatest players in soccer history. He scored nine goals in the 1966 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top scorer and helping Portugal to a third-place finish.

Paulo Futre: A two-time Portuguese Player of the Year (1986 and 1987), Paulo Futre led FC Porto to victory in the 1987 European Cup over Bayern Munich.