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| Tuesday, 15 May 2012 13:45 |
"My dream has come true"Bento's squad react to call-ups Following yesterday's announcement of the 23 players who will represent Portugal at the forthcoming European Championships, many of those selected have been giving their reaction to the national press, who have already ratcheted up the anticipation levels with today's front pages. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) have also released the Selecção's official schedule for the coming weeks.
Though Bento's squad contains its fair share of star names, the two players most in demand have been surprise inclusions Miguel Lopes and Custódio, both of whom are coming off outstanding campaigns in the red and white of Braga. For Lopes, who began the season without a squad number at Porto, it was a particularly joyful moment: "It's one of happiest days of my life. I always said I wanted to be called up for the Selecção. My dream has come true." Benfica youngster Nélson Oliveira expressed similar sentiments, describing representing his country as "a dream I have had since childhood." The forward admitted he "knew I was part of a group of players who could be selected and who could also not be selected", but now that he will be on the plane, hoped to benefit "from the experience of Postiga and Almeida. I'm going to learn."  Whilst at 25 and 20 Lopes and Nélson still have youth on their side, many thought that Custódio's chance to represent his country had been and gone. The rugged trinco has revitalised his career since joining Braga from fierce rivals Guimarães in January 2011, and yesterday's news represents an undoubted high point for the 28 year-old, who has experienced mixed fortunes since leaving Sporting for Dinamo Moscow in 2007: "It's an incredible moment. From what I'd read in the press I thought it was possible. Our aim? Get through the first phase and then let's see." Belief The task for Custódio and co is undeniably intimidating. Germany, Holland and Denmark represent stiff opposition, and it was not surprising to see former Portugal coach and current FPF Vice-President Humberto Coelho declare yesterday: "I am convinced that one of the teams in our group will be European champions." Yet many players have stated their belief that the Selecção can accomplish something great in Poland and Ukraine. Veteran forward Hugo Almeida also referred to the quality of the opposition, but was bullish in declaring "we know what we have to do to be champions. We're in the group of death but Portugal is great, and we'll have our chances." Preparations underway Now that the personnel have been identified, the Selecção's work begins in earnest. Wednesday and Thursday will see the squad convene for two days of training in Lisbon, and after a last weekend of relexation, Bento and his men will head north to Óbidos, which has become the location of choice for Portugal's pre-tournament training camps. The programme will be short on open training and long on Concentração, though press and public will be able to run the rule over the squad in two friendlies: against Macedonia at Leiria's Estádio Municipal on May 26th (kick-off 17.00 Lisbon time) and Turkey at the Estádio da Luz on June 2nd (19.45). The squad will depart for Opalenica in Poland on June 4th, with their opening group fixture taking place in Lviv five days later, against Germany. Ben Shave |
Danny would have been nice midfield but injury prevents that.
My biggest fear is Alves in the middle defence.
Gonna watch the friendlies to get a feel for this new squad. Some strong play with these smaller teams would really boost my confidence because qualifying to get here really scared me.
I hope to see Veloso starting as a defensive midfielder, his playing time in Italy has surely helped him to learn how to defend solidly and link the defense with the centre!Moutinho and Meireles shall start in the middle too!
Defensively, Coentrao, Alves, Pepe and Pereira!
Nani, Ronaldo on the wings!
And I beleive in Postiga as a striker, his scoring with a team such Zaragoza proved him as a goal poacher!
Let's see what will the friendlies come up with, and hope that no one get injured!
Forca Seleccao!Forca Portugal!!!!
Forca Portugal!!!
I'm glad to see some Braga players represented as both Lopes and Custodio have impressed, but I think it's criminal to pick Martins over Viana. I don't buy the argument that Viana "doesn't fit" into Bento's style of play. Martins is a work horse but has little skill to show for all of his frenzied running. Having a skilled passer and playmaker to bring on against a team like Holland, which has a relatively weak back four, could be exactly what Portugal needs if Bento's Plan A doesn't pan out. As others have mentioned, the omission of Fernandes is also disappointing.
If I were in Bento's shoes I would have done something similar to what Del Bosque did for Spain's most recent friendly where several players who are no-brainers to receive a call up (Xavi among them) were left out of the friendly lineup so that other younger and uncapped players could have a chance to shine. This would have given Bento a chance to see if players like Viana and even Vaz Te can work within system. Unfortunately we wont know until possibly after the Euro.
All that being said, this is a decent squad. Ronaldo has been on top form for club and country and could have a big tournament. However, opposing teams will most likely try to smother him, so it will be interesting to see if Bento has adequately prepared the team for this situation. Against Germany, I would like to see Almeida or Oliveira start since I think that Postiga would just get bossed around by the German D as he is less physical. Postiga could be a good choice against the Danes and the Dutch though as he may be better able to break down their defenders.
Portugal have a chance to qualify, but it wont be easy and I don't think they are favourites to advance out of this group. I'd rank them at about third on the basis of the qualifying campaigns, going into the tournament.
I understand the frustration that some might feel about the selection. But it's time to move past and all stand together united in on CAUSE(A BELIEF) In this team for the Euro 2012. I love being Portuguese, but find that too many blame others and lack faith. We are a really good team this year, is it going to be touch to get out of Group B sure. It's the Euro no group would have been automatic to get out of. Let's just support the lads who are playing behind the most beautiful flag on this planet. Sing to the top of our longs "AS ARMAS, AS ARMAS" and cheer them on, on every attack.
I BELIEVE WE CAN WIN THIS EURO!!! If we all stop arguing about who's there, who's not there. Put our energies together and just support our players. Don't boo them and say their garbage at the tv's. GET BEHIND THEM REGARDLESS. Cheer them on till that final whistle.
FORCA PORTUGAL - Our players will resolve and fight to bring Joy to all fans of Portuguese Soccer .
1. Martins saw the ball more than any other player and never came close to making a play. Portugal need players who will convert and create goals when given the chance.
2. Quaresma - I admit, I don't know Quaresma enough to be as opinionated as many on this site, but I beleive he entered as Left Forward and couldn't kick with his left foot.
I like the squad. If the back line is secured, Portugal will be in every game.
I'm not a big Bento fan and a disagree with a few selections but now we need to support him. Hopefully he plays Ronaldo inhis natural position.
Besides the obvious ones players 95% of us would exclude and include from the current list, , I would have liked to haven seen Quim and Nuno Gomes dawn the red and green one more time in their last major tournament. Can Nuno Gomes still come on the pitch with 15 minutes to go and score for the national team or is he too old? I guess we’ll never know. Ricardo Carvalho I miss you in the back four.
Forca Portugal!
Carlos Martins and Paulo Bento were good friends and teammates back in Bento's playing days at Sporting. They were teammates from 2000-2004 when Martins was coming up from the youth team. Same with Quaresma. I think that must have something to do with these guys always being called up.
I hope that Bento gives other players a chance after the Euro, as we look ahead to World Cup Qualifying. But knowing how he operates, I expect to see his buddies in Brazil...if we qualify.
I hope Paulo Proves me wrong and helps Portugal out of this tough group.