The Hindu : Leading Contenders: Portugal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 20, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Leading Contenders: Portugal

Until two years ago, Portuguese football was synonymous with just one player — the great Eusebio, who almost single-handedly took his country to its best-ever finish in the World Cup — the third spot in the 1966 edition, where the `Black Panther' also topped the scorers list.

The small Iberian nation had to wait for another twenty years before its second appearance which was a disaster as it was eliminated in the first round.

However, as Portugal returns to the World Cup fold for the third time, expectations are indeed high as it is one of the leading contenders for the title, especially after the brilliant show uncorked by Portugal's `golden generation' during its superb run in Euro 2000.

Little wonder then that the current crop, led by FIFA `Player of the Year' and Real Madrid's explosive midfielder Luis Figo, has already come to be termed as the `Brazil of Europe' because the brand of football they play closely resembles that of the Samba Kings — artistic, creative and exciting all the way. But then, the big question is whether Figo and his friends can overcome the tag of purveyors of beautiful football and get the results that are expected from them.

This is a point, which has been accepted by the team coach, Antonio Oliveira, as he frankly admitted recently `We have to be the first, instead of being the best.' Luck too seems to favour the Portuguese as they are drawn with the co-host South Korea, Poland and the United States in Group D for the first round. Expectedly not a tough proposition for the favoured European team to go through without any harm to its reputation.

A second round meeting against Croatia too should pose little problems for the Portuguese before they get to meet Spain in the quarterfinals and possibly Italy thereafter. Indeed, it would be a great disappointment if the Portuguese fell on the wayside before the semifinals

Sticking to a 4-2-3-1 system, Portugal boasts of a world class back four anchored by the central defensive pairing of Fernando Couto and Jorge Costa (see picture, right), in front of goalkeeper Ricardo, and with Rui Jorge and Beto left to play in the wings.

However, it is in the midfield that Portugal usually sparkles what with the area being manned by the peerless Figo in the company of the equally brilliant Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, Nuno Gomes and Sergio Conceicao or young Hugo Viana working behind the only frontman, Pauleta Resende.

In the event of a tough ride against any opponent, the team is also capable of switching over abruptly to the conventional 4-4-2 system, with Nuno Gomes joining Pauleta in the attack.

The only worry as Portugal prepares for its assault is the injuries sustained by many of its key players, Rui Costa, Gomes and backup strikers Sa Pinto and Simao Sabrosa, who have already been ruled out of the World Cup.

Nevertheless, the possibilities seem to be endless for Portugal in Asia. Watch out for this team and Luis Figo, in particular. — A. Vinod.

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