Portugal or Iran?

My two cents: Portugal is a good team but why play all out when you have it sewn up.

Scolari is not a fool, this looks to be a boring game for both teams unless Portugal wants to face Argentina, in which case they will let Mexico win.

Nobody wants to face Argentina, having said that, Mexico is the only team not afraid of them. it will be a slugfest, and tempers will flair but Mexico will not be an easy nut to crack against Argentina. Mexico matches up well on defense with them based on Argentina’s short quick brilliant passing.

Posted from  United States

luis, fair enough. just wondering, 35 goals against who? luxemburg, malta, liechtentstien, isreal, and latvia? I need to see more european football? you are probably right? that is why so many portuguese defenders play in italy, or in the english premiership. on the otherhand, portuguese midfielders and attackers, are a different thing. top class.

anyway, i think you are spot on that this will be a match that is going to be quite interesting. It is 2 teams that on paper are of similar level, and thus can go either way. I would put my money on Mexico, as they tend to perform better with better opponents, and Mexico have to win. Otherwise it is Argentina. I would prefer to play Netherlands, England, Germany, or even Italy, before Argentina.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Jack. It is no use trying to explain to people who do not follow Mexico why Mexico is a frustrating team to follow.

I will say that Portugal really dissapointed me against Greece. As we all know Greece is a world power having followed European football all these years.

Posted from  United States

settled, big baller

Posted from  United Kingdom

I tried to make a gentlemanly point. That’s all. You all opt to offend rather then to discuss rationally the points. Greece got the job done. What can you say about that? Perhaps Portugal underestimated Greece last time, but that is why we won’t make that mistake twice by saying such things like Mexico’s defense is soft. We’ll see what happens on Wednesday. I expect a great game. By the way, Greece did to us what Angola managed to do to Mexico yesterday. At any rate, good luck and may the best team win.

Posted from  United States

By the way, you guys obviously never played Latvia, Estonia or Slovakia. They are not easy teams. And lets see some of the teams Portugal beat on the way to the Euro Final: Spain, England, Holland. Hmnn…some of the great teams according to you guys. All I’m asking for is some respect…nothing else.

Posted from  United States

7 of those 35 Portuguese qualifying goals came in one game when they defeated Russia 7-1. I personally see Big Phil sitting out Pauleta, Deco, Ronaldo, Velente, Ricardo and couple more. This for a couple reasons one to rest injuries and yellow cards also to give bench players some playing time to let them get a taste of the world cup and play there hardest to show what they can do on this stage and possibly be used further down the road in this world cup when they are called upon. Dont be suprised to see Postiga, Gomes, Tiago, Boa Morte, Cannera and Quim in the Mexico game. This may look like POrtugal B Squad but in a game that doesnt mean much for Portugal these players may play harder then Portugal A in this game as they will be given their oppertunity to play at the World Cup. I see a tie or Portugal winning this match but evidently with Portugal and Mexico both advancing.

Posted from  Canada

Beat Brazil and Argentina first and them come back here with your fancy statistics.

Posted from  United States

Not to offend the Portugese, very good team, very good.

But for a team that advances to the round of 16, finally, after lots of flops, at home and abroad, it is Portugal that should be wary of the hungry wounded warriors that are Mexico.

Again, what is the incentive for Portugal to win. Is it to clear your conscious and let your former colony advance, I think not.

There is no incentive for either Portugal or for Mexico to go all out. It will be a SNOOZE FEST, draw.

Posted from  United States

Big baller – I used statistics to make a very basic point. Portugal’s defense is not easy to penetrate, nothing more. Obviously there are some bruised egos in this blog. I feel for you guys, we have suffered with the ups and downs of our team as well. Don’t expect Scolari to approach this game lightly. He will go for the win.

I like Mexico’s style and pity anyone that underestimates them. Too bad you can’t give your opponents the same courtesy.

Posted from  United States

Anyway…lets make peace. I hope Mexico does well in the second round, as you guys deserve it, too.

Posted from  United States

Heres something interesting…i heared that a person widely famous for his predictions said that they would beat Holland. Also a computer also said the same thing…at first i didnt believe it, but right after i saw the news that Mexico would play against Holland or Argentina i got to think maybe they were right?? Mexico might be playing Holland.

Posted from  United States

This topic has brought out some mildly defensive / offensive comments from proud Mexican and Portuguese supporters.. And there is nothing YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT!!

Of course we should both be proud of our Selecciones! I think we have alot in common, both with strong teams, great midfield ball control, agressiveness, latin passion, foreign coaches albeit with the same languages just to name a few.

I think i’d rather wait to see how our boys will talk on the field. Personally i think it would be great to have a Portugal vs Argentina in the next round and a Mexico vs Holland. Be realistic, neither will be easy. Just because Portugal has beaten Holland and Mexico has beaten Argentina doesn’t mean there is any advantage to it in Germany! Remember both of us did this on our home ground (i think) So to have a next round of Europe vs Latin America will be good for football and to the neutral fan.

Remember that if you are the best, it doesn’t matter who you face.. You still have to win the best to win the cup.

Cheers all, forca tugas e dale mexico!! let’s keep it true to the spirit of the game. I’d love to see La Volpe and Scolari opting for B teams in this match.
I think every player will have alot to prove and this game will be more intense!!!

Portugal’s XI vs Mexico

Postiga Gomes
Sabrosa Viana Petit BoaMorte
Caneira R.Carvalho R.Costa P.Ferreira
Santos

Cheers!
Walt – http://www.livesoccertv.com

Posted from  United States

OK.. I’m sick and tired of all these people bringing up the past.. IT DOES NOT MATTER. you can’t say that the US is better than mexico because of the past. Yes on paper they are, but this is the world cup. A team like GHANA can score two goals on the BEST defense in europe. the fantaastic four they called them. Mexico beat brazil, and i’m so glad for it, but it does not mean that we are better. YES WE CAN COMPETE. it’s anyones game. I usnderstand that we rely on the past to make predictions. but let’s face it, We can’t be right.

portugal does not seem that great either. They should of blown out angola also… but since they beat iran, does that make then better than us???

NOPE.

Luis-thanks for all of your statistics, but it does not matter. I know that mexico will go give it all on WED. Will your team be there? or are they ok finishing second. behind the horrible mexicans!!!

Anyway, kikin needs to start with franco. i think they play well together.

Did anyone see the US game..
lucky bastards!!!
GHANA WINS
FREE GOAL
FREE RED CARD

still can’t win a game!!!
or score a real goal

anyway .. go EL TRI

Posted from  United States

Hey Louie – you and I are in total agreement. Anything can happen. That was my point. We can talk about weaknesses for sure. Every team has them, even Argentina (the new chosen team). I was just asking for a simple courtesy and since we are trapped in blog world, i thought a few statistics right off the web, would not hurt the discussion.

Posted from  United States

You guys in this blog have all jumped on Argentina’s ban wagon huh…just cause they beat a S&M team that looked like they didnt want to play from the opening whistle, along with loosing a man during the game that is one of their best players…but hey that 6-0 defeat was huge right??? like they say you cant win the World Cup in the first round, you can only lose it…that 6-0 defeat means nothing, Argentina will flame out against a good team because Riquelme wont show up cause he is too inconsistent…

But lets leave Argentina out of this cause theyve advanced and are playing good…to the man who said Portugal’s defense is weak…do you watch futbol??? Carvalho is one of the best center backs in the world, led a Porto defense to a Champions league title with a 35 year old slow poke as his playing partner, he starts for one of the best teams in the world…Miguel is the best looking outside back in the competition he has attacked down the wing better than any back this entire WC and if we play Holland he will shut Robben down just like he did in Euros…now Meira and Valente may be called into question but they are still solid defenders, Meira is a quality back up to Andrade and knows how to play against quality opponents and Valente may be a little slow but he attacks great and is a solid tackler…Portugals defense is one of the best in the tournament…Argentina’s defense is their only weakness, England…oh my god Ashley Cole looked like a 3rd division player their first game, and France…they arent even going to advance…so please, lay off of Portugal, because once they beat Mexico 2-0 and get out of the first round without letting in a goal, and Mexico flies home to watch the rest of the tournament then we will talk about which team has a weak defense…

Cause just know this…Portugal can rest their yellow cards, which they wont, and still have a better team then Mexico on the pitch, the only player on Mexico that could ake the Portugal squad is Marquez…so good luck Mexico, i think youre gonna need it, hope Portugal comes out soft knowing that they have already advanced, cause if they dont Mexico is going home!

Forca Portugal!!!
second round here we come…

Silveira

Posted from  United States

I like your spunk E. Silveira, but I think it’s important to respect Mexico.

Posted from  United States

E. Silveira:

Tell me something… do you think Portugal can win against Brazil or Argentina?

Mexico beat both of them recently, and playing with most of their starting lineup.

Eu ainda lembro que Portugal era um dos favoritos faz quatro anos, quando Figo ainda era jovem, e mire o que passou. Eu acho que vai ser um jogo muito legal e Mexico vai dar uma boa briga.

And for the record, Marquez is better than any of your defenders.

Posted from  United States

Rene, no offense but who are you kidding? Marquez is great, but R. Carvalho among the top 5 defenders in the world. Oh and by the way, Portugal has beaten Brazil before. It kinda helps to have a manager that knows the Brazilian players and tactics inside out. We have less of a comparison with Argentina. Good luck on Wednesday.

Posted from  United States

Ok… if Carvalho is a top 5, then Marquez is on the top 3.

Rene, don’t kid yourself buddy…Marquez is a good player, Mexico’s best player and a solid defender, but top 3 in the world??? C’mon now, lets not be so biased…I mean I know he plays for Barca, the best team in the world right now but their defense isn’t exactly top of the line. As for him being better than any of our defenders…lets be serious, Luis is right Carvalho is top 5 in the world easy and your lucky Andrade is hurt cause he’s better than Marquez also.

As for them beating Brazil and Argentina…Yea I know they can beat them. In fact I think Portugal is one of the only teams in the tournament that can beat Brazil, and not cause they’re better but because they won’t be afraid of them and they will exploit their weak defense. And as for Argentina, like I said before they will flame out cause Riquelme will have a bad game. And yes Mexico beat them…with MOST of their starting lineup…but what weak tournament was that in…not the World Cup I’ll tell you that, and I can remember a game a couple years ago when Brazil’s U21 team beat Mexico, so please don’t bring that shit up again…thank you.

And Luis, thanks for the compliment, plenty of spunk and anytime you need some help defending Portugal in this weak ass blog let me know, I’ll be here to set Mexico straight…and believe me I respect them, I just know Portugal is better than them!

Silveira

Posted from  United States

Silveira:

Last time Mexico played Brazil, mexico won 1-0.

These were the teams:

1. SANCHEZ Oswaldo 1. DIDA
2. GALINDO Aaron 3. LUCIO
3. SALCIDO Carlos (C)4. ROQUE JUNIOR
5. OSORIO Ricardo 5. EMERSON
7. ZINHA 6. GILBERTO
8. PARDO Pavel (C) 7. ROBINHO
9. BORGETTI Jared 8. KAKA
11. MORALES Ramon 9. ADRIANO
14. PINEDA Gonzalo 10. RONALDINHO
17. FONSECA Jose 11. ZE ROBERTO
18. CARMONA Salvador 13. CICINHO

Last 6 official matches (not friendlies):

1999 Mexico 4 – 3 Brazil
2001 Mexico 1 – 0 Brazil
2003 Mexico 1 – 0 Brazil
2003 Mexico 1 – 0 Brazil
2004 Mexico 0 – 4 Brazil
2005 Mexico 1 – 0 Brazil

As far as Argentina goes, these are the results (including friendlies since they don’t play each other often) during the same number of years:

1999 Argentina 1 – 0 Mexico
1999 Argentina 2 – 2 Mexico
2000 Argentina 2 – 0 Mexico
2003 Argentina 1 – 0 Mexico
2004 Argentina 0 – 1 Mexico
2005 Argentina 1 – 1 Mexico
2005 Argentina 1 – 1 Mexico

All I’m saying is you are not giving Mexico enough credit. I hope your team feels the same way, because they will be surprised on Wednesday.

The sad part is, even if Mexico wins on Wednesday, you guys will argue that Portugal was not using their “A” team (but that would actually mean that your theory that only Marquez would play for Portugal was wrong, since supposedly, we have no player that can be better than yours).

NICE JOB RENE!

For the record, Carvalho is the most hated player in the EPL and quite frequently loses his starting job, and his coach is even Portugese.

Rene, I was pretty impartial as far as wanting to play either Holland or Argentina but your convincing me to go for Argentina. For once and for all let’s show the world what we already know. Get it over with and bring it on.

Mexico plays them dead even every time. Yellow cards will fly and as the game wears all the pressure shifts to them. Remember Collocinni. That fires me up right there.

Posted from  United States

Ahhh more lovely statistics. I love the passion this game creates.

Rene – we can argue the merits of both our teams. That’s half the fun of this game we love to watch, but rest assured neither team will underestimate their opponent. Our boys are very level headed since they’ve tasted the bitter taste of dissappoinment. Mexico as well is quite grounded after the Angola game. It should be great game. Lets celebrate it together.

Posted from  United States