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| Wednesday, 15 August 2012 23:18 |
Selecção keep up momentum with lively display in the AlgarvePortugal 2-0 Panama Portugal played their only game between Euro 2012 and the start of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in the Algarve tonight. A positive performance should have ended in a hatful of goals for the hosts, but Paulo Bento’s men had to be content with a 2-0 win, thanks to fine goals from Nélson Oliviera and Crisitiano Ronaldo in each half.
After selecting practically a replica squad to that which gave such a good account of itself in the European Championship this summer, Bento was forced into changes to his usual line-up as both usual centre-back starters Pepe and Bruno Alves left the camp early due to injury. There was also a change at both ends of the pitch, with Eduardo given a rare start in place of Rui Patrício between the sticks and Nélson Oliveira chosen as the centre forward. Hugo Viana also came in, as Miguel Veloso started on the bench, and Miguel Lopes was the right-back instead of the regular occupant of that berth, João Pereira. It was evident Portugal were streets ahead of the Central American minnows throughout the 90 minutes, but it was nonetheless pleasing to see the home players put in a good shift and take the match seriously - something that has often not been the case as regards the Selecção in international friendlies. João Moutinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Miguel Lopes especially looked to be treating the game as if it was a competitive fixture. Portugal put together some sparkling moves, admittedly against weak opposition, to carve open the Panamanian defence time after time. The visitors’ found it particularly tough going from the 49th minute onwards, when Gabriel Goméz was red carded for a crass elbow into João Moutinho’s face. Only two things stopped the result being an absolute mauling: Panama’s athletic goalkeeper, Jaime Penedo, and some wayward finishing from Portugal, with Hugo Almeida the chief culprit. Oliveira opens his account for SelecçãoIn fact, for all Portugal’s dominance, it required two superb strikes to secure the win. Nélson Oliveira scored his first of what will surely be many goals for the national team with a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the box on the half hour mark. Although the young Benfica striker, loaned out to Deportivo La Coruña this season, proceeded to miss a glaring chance just before half time, he increasingly looks like Paulo Bento’s best option for the striker role.
Ronaldo’s goal five minutes after the break was almost as spectacular. Picking up a neat Raul Meireles pass, the Real Madrid man unleashed an unstoppable drive into the corner of the net from 20 yards out. Portugal start their quest to reach Brazil 2014 in September, with matches away at Luxembourg (7th) and at home against Azerbaijan (11th). The Selecção appear ready. Portugal: Eduardo (60' Beto), Miguel Lopes, Rolando, Ricardo Costa, Fábio Coentrão, João Moutinho (73' Carlos Martins), Raul Meireles (72' Miguel Veloso), Hugo Viana (46' Rúben Micael), Nani, Nelson Oliveira (61' Hugo Almeida), Cristiano Ronaldo (60' Varela) Panama: Jaime Penedo, Cedeño, Román Torres, Felipe Baloy, Luis Henríquez, Sánchez, Alberto Quintero (79' Ricardo Buitrago), Gabriel Gómez, Juan de Dios Pérez (71' Carlos Rodríguez), Edwin Aguilar (73' Rolando Blackburn), Nelson Barahona (78' Juan de Garcia). Goals: [1-0] Nélson Oliveira, 30' [2-0] Ronaldo, 50' by Tom Kundert |
Thank you.
I know we missed a ton of opportunities, but good to see us dominate. We did what we were suppose to do verse this type of opponent.
I know, I know, we're all fans and we have high expectations, but it's important to remember that we are very, very privileged to witness this special group of players that under Bento's guidance have emerged as one of the powers of world football. It sounds like most of this game was essentially target practice for Portugal. ESPN reports 31 shots w/ 13 on goal which is absolutely absurd. We all know that finishing is sometimes difficult for the Seleccao, but come on, can't we be happy that they really worked these guys over like they should?
Brilliant goals from Ronaldo and Oliveira. Somebody else already said but it is worthy of repeating: Ronaldo has really grown into his role as the captain of this team and deserves our recognition. In the game I witnessed personally on Wednesday night, the few Argentina fans in the stadium cheered every single time Messi got anywhere near the ball, if only for a second or two. Portugal are a cut above Argentina in my humble opinion, collectively if not individually. We need to be supporting our team like that.
The Seleccao are primed to blow through this WCQ group and make a big splash in Brazil in two years. We should be behind this team heart and soul. They have earned it. I was there at Euro 2012, and watched them fight with everything they had and I hold this squad in the highest regard.
Forca Portugal
Hugo Almeida is a strong physical presence and nothing else. He has no pace, a poor touch, poor link-up play, inexcusably poor in the air considering his height, and he's one of the most wasteful strikers I have ever seen.
Helder Postiga is better than Almeida since his work rate, clever movement, and above average technique suits our style, but he's still far from a quality striker. He's more clinical than Almeida, but that's not saying much. He also lacks pace and physicality causing him to disappear against physical opposition.
Nelson Oliveira's got a lot to work on: His finishing, decision making, and positioning need improvement, but he's got all the tools to become an excellent striker. Unlike Almeida and Postiga, Oliveira's got excellent pace. His runs off the ball create space for Ronaldo and Nani, making our front 3 more fluid, and more difficult to defend against. His link up play was usually strong, he held the ball very well, and he can create goal scoring chances on his own.
Our first 2 matches in qualification are against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Anything less than 3-0 wins in both games will be a disappointment. Paulo Bento isn't perfect, but he's been getting our team to play better and better with every game, so I'm confident that we can comfortably win our qualification group.
Really nothing that we did not know before. No player on the first 11 will lose their job or really be challenged for his position given our bench is still weak. It will be up to some players like Vaz Te, Fernandes, Carrico, to play well at club level to get a shot at the NT. It is really not hard to make the Portugal NT given this is the weakest depth in 20 years.
The other thing we learned is Nelson Oliveira who I am not sold on for the record (hope I am wrong) has no final ball. Did great against a weak team but he has shown no ability to put the ball on target and questionable decision making. I am not going to bite on all the hype. There are no major clubs asking for his services so the rest of the world has not bought into the hype. The solution is simple, Nelson needs to show he can perform at club level -- there are no more excuses. So far he has not shown that. Lets hope he proves his critics like me wrong.
Third, Vaz Te another player with promise who labored in under performance and injuries for years needs to perform at club this season. I have no doubt that he is already better than Alemeida but Vaz Te needs to perform consistently and he will play in a better league than Alemeida to prove his worth.
Let's get 6 points in the WC qualifiers and then see if some players perform at club level to make a case to be on the NT.
Looking at the positives his movement and link up play was great and he's got more skill than both Postiga and Almeida, and his goal was awesome! All I'm saying is that he is clearly the best option already for us. We don't have many great strikers is the reality so when there is a promising one we have to embrace it. I'm sure with more time Nelson will get even better and the front three will have even more chemistry. Personally he is capable of playing the most attractive entertaining style of football for us compared to Postiga (lacks pace & strength) and Almeida (lacks everything hahaha).
I actually support Sporting Clube de Portugal but I support all our Portuguese players especially those young ones who can improve our squad more like Nelson Oliveira, then Andre Martins, Vaz Te, Vieirinha, Salvador Agra, Adrien, Carrico etc. All those guys. I want the best for them so that they come and bring more quality depth in the team. Yes sure Nelson couldn't win a starting spot in Benfica because Cardozo was there, but thats nothing to be ashamed about. Cardozo is just a good striker, no two ways about it. It doesn't mean Nelson isn't good cause he wasn't ahead of him in the pecking order. Its very very difficult for young players, especially Portuguese young players to make the breakthrough in Benfica. Ronaldo broke through way faster etc for various reasons. First of all he is Ronaldo and one of the greatest footballers of alllll time, and in my opinion the best currently. Its is very unfair to judge Nelson or others compared to him. Few players come along like Cristiano Ronaldo, he's a once in a lifetime player. Nelson is not of the same class as Ronaldo and may never be, but he is still a good talented young forward. Also Ronaldo came from Sporting the club I support, where home grown Portuguese youth are given confidence and all the support they need to develop. They are encouraged to make the first team. The whole club is "geared" that way. It's like a football school literally. Thats their passion. Thats why they have so many young Portuguese talents from there.
So for all these things you can't directly compare the respective career development/progression of Nelson Oliveira and Cristiano Ronaldo. They're different players, different positions, styles, attributes, AND club environment! If Nelson Oliveira had been in Sporting I'm sure he would have developed even faster and gotten more first team experience by now. But he is not that is the reality. The fact that he has actually managed to still do so well for Portugal in the U20, U21, and now senior level for Portugal despite all this is remarkable. He's got to continue to develop and grow which is natural. But he is already capable of doing a good job for us with Portugal. I'm not saying GREAT job, but he can do a good job. He can do it better than Almeida CLEARLY, and I would say he can do it just as well as Postiga if not better.
All he needs is support and confidence from is coaches and I'm glad that Bento has given him this. Its also good that he's gone to Deportivo La Coruna now, a club with many Portuguese and good history, and a need for players. The two strikers in Deportivo are with all respect pretty average. Nelson is capable of winning a starting spot there fairly regularly and this is all he needs. With more game time for Deportivo and Portugal Nelson will get better and better. He's a good talent and certainly an attacking trio of Nelson Oliveira Ronaldo and Nani is more exciting quicker skillful and lethal than the ones we've seen in recent times. Its exciting and I think they'll do really well in qualification and WC 2014!
I'ts obvious that Almeida has to be gone. There are too many chances wasted by him. Olivera missed a few also but maybe with more experience and playing time with the group it could be a very tough front line to deal with.
I also love the fact that we are becoming more versatile and creative. In the Euros it was visible too. When a teams park the bus, we are finding ways through and around and still finding shots. There are definitely positive changes happening. I hope we get the striker situation solved. Maybe in some of the early qualifiers we can test some younger players and try to get rid of the dead weight. We have a great core of players but you can't rely on a few instead of the full eleven. Forca Portugal!!
Hopefully u say u r in Trinidad Tobago, I have been there a few times and was never able to find the Benfica Kool aid, stop drinking it men!!!
I compare Oliveiras performance like kicking 4 penalties and making one, sure the one u made was nice but u had no business missing all the others. Or like me saying my kid start to walk today that was awesome but the truth is he tried a lot of times before succedding, so I am happy for him (O;iveira) but below par performance.
I want him to be awesome for our national team but the facts is he cant get a starting roll in benfica to save his life and neither one of us should know him better than JJ.
Remember at 21 Ronaldo was making millions, how much is Oliveira making??? Rest my case!!!!
I agree with the calls for Vaz Te to be introduced to the squad at some point, particularly if his form from last season continues. My first reaction at Oliveira's missed sitter was "Vaz Te would have burried that". Of course, playing well in the Championship is one thing, but doing it in the Premier League and at International level is another thing altogether! It will be interesting to see how he gets on with West Ham this season. Fingers crossed.
I know this was only a friendly against poor opposition and that there's a long road ahead, but if the Selecção can carry this momentum and unity into the WCQs, we could do some serious damage in our group.
The journey to Brazil 2014 begins...Força Portugal!
and is it Almeida or Al mierda? I see no difference because it's all sh*t. I was preparing to criticize Oliveira after the match but Almeida takes the cake. Don't get me wrong Oliveira scored a wonder goal, tracked back defensively, and linked up decently but finishing was poor. He blasted over the bar a couple times and that set up by CR you just can't miss (kudos to CR and Moutinho for those superb passes) but I understand Nelson is young and still developing. He will be Portugal's main man at WC 2014.
On the other hand, Almeida is in his prime. You either go big or go retire. Ever since he left Werder he's been a useless tool. I hate to be so harsh but even the fans were booing him. It's sad to watch but he's done.
Anyway, decent match happy we won and its a good warm up for the upcoming qualifiers.
For those who still wanna hate yes Nelson did miss that one chance when Ronaldo made a brilliant trivela pass to him, but so what he did a good job throughout most of the game and scored a brilliant goal to get off the mark for Portugal! ALSO he made up for it by linking up well with Miguel Lopes on the right wing before playing a great cross/pass from the right wing to put Ronaldo through on goal when Ronnie should have scored as well. In that there also shows the quality of Nelson that he is that player who is perfect to rotate and have the mobility to interchange with Ronaldo when he goes center. Nelson has the skill and passing to swap out wide at times during the game. Long story short we can have a very good attractive fluid potent front three with Nelson , Ronaldo and Nani.
Also for those who still wanna hate, you saw how POORRR Almeida was when he came on. I don't even have to count how many opportunities he wasted in just 30 minutes. He's horrible as I've been saying and is definitely 3rd choice and no better. Maybe he may even be dropped from the team if another young striker steps up.
But to keep it on the positive as I like to do, we saw very promising things from this friendly game today and I have great enthusiasm and hope and belief in this Portugal team! Keep it up Portugal!!!
One bad thing i will say is once again Almeida played like smashed shite he is horrible! Bento needs to get rid of him i would rather have Postiga, Oliveira and even Varela ahead of him he has nothing people.
Cristiano Ronaldo was simply unplayable, albeit against weak opposition. His dribbling, shooting, and passing were all world class. His trivela pass to Nelson Oliveira proves his underrated passing ability. As for Nelson, I was glad to see him score his first goal for the national team. He had a few poor misses, but his overall performance was very impressive. He linked up very well with his teammates, held the ball well, and created space with clever runs.
Bento should really consider calling up Vaz Te instead of Almeida. I was never a fan of his, but his form's been disasterous since moving to Besiktas. Postiga works hard and he'll score the occasional goal, but Nelson Oliveira's got the most to offer. The more playing time he gets, the better he'll be.
Joao Moutinho and Coentrao were excellent throughout, Lopes was very impressive in the first half, and Meireles was solid. Hugo Viana had a few nice touches/passes, but I don't think that Bento was too pleased with his overall performance. Nani had flashes of brilliance, but was still not at his best.
Hopefully Bento will get rid of the dead weight (Almeida and Ricardo Costa) and call up some talented players for the future like Vaz Te, Salvador Agra, Andre Martins, Adrien Silva, Manuel Fernandes, Daniel Carrico, and Luis Neto.