Will Portugal rest their yellows?

also agree with john, and gus you have good points.

Independently of playing with subs or not, i think it is a mistake to think that if portugal plays with the subs, then it is an easy team. The subs are there for something, not just to fill a spot. overall, that applies to the teams that are aiming to be in the top 8, and both mexico and portugal aim to be there. (that they can do it is a different story dependent on argentina and netherlands, assuming mexico gets through, which hasnt happened yet!)

Subs or not, Mexico has to play to win. It will not be an easy game. The opposite side is an experienced team, with good players, and a good coach. It is a team that has been 2nd in the last european cup.

I insist, if mexico thinks they can get to the last 4, as Lavolpe claims, then they have to show it by not only winning but by dominating portugal. A tie with mexico dominating, would be a positive for the next rounds, but not enough. A loss, but still getting through (angola dependent), would only mean that mexico is dead meat the following match.

For me, this is a match that can go either way. I think it will be more tactics than individual play. Lavolpe trying to figure out a system to crack portugal, but at the same time trying to choose the right players for it.

For portugal, it is also a good test. They will face a side that, even if it hasnt satisfied its followers, is no easy team either, both can give a bad headache to any of the big boys.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Regardless on how Mexico do I think people forget that Mexico is the 4rth best team in football in the world and other nations should stop looking down on them.
They may not play European groups that often but who really gives a damn. England in doing terrible and Scotland did not even get in.
Iran & Angola did a fantastic job I agree.
I can’t help to love the Mexican spirit and admire how they boo other countries footballers once they have the ball in there graps.

For me VIVA MEXICO.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Eliza,

I also support Mexico, but one thing is to support them, and another to think they really are 4th.

Fifa rankings are biased. That’s a fact. Even the Mexican press mock that. A realistic ranking for Mexico would be between 12th and 6th in my humble opinion.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Ok so basically i dont know how the rankings works…anyone care to tell me?? Its a very stupid ranking system IMO

Posted from  United States

Some good points guys. Anything can happen this Wednesday. Both teams are dangerous and hungry. Both teams want a level of respect that the media often fails to provide. It could be a wide open game or a tight and bruising battle. It could also be a tactical dance as outlined above. La Volpe will try to pick the lock while Scolari constantly changes it to keep the thiefs out.

It will be a great game. Both teams deserve it.

Força Portugal!

Posted from  United States

Mexico is 4th in FIFA world cup standings; Argentina is 9th. Farcical? Indeed. Finally everyone has put enough pressure on FIFA to revise their ranking system. Why should Mexico get as many points for beating Honduras, as Portugal would get for beating Russia?

Mexico demonstrated one thing in the last 2 games; they are outclassed by the big boys on the global stage, and Portugal will be the final turn of the screw.

P.S. I hope the refs stay out of it.

Posted from  United States

@Silverbeard
“Mexico demonstrated one thing in the last 2 games”
I hope you don’t mean the last 2 games in the world cup, because I can’t see how putting 3 goals past Iran, and dominating Angola on a day that the ball just didn’t want to go in, shows that Mexico is outclassed.

Portugal, one of the “big boys” could only score once against Angola in their first 4 minutes of World Cup christening, when they were the most nervous, but after that could not do it again.

Yes, the FIFA rankings are not the best system. FIFA is supposed to come up with a better ranking system after the World Cup, let’s hope they get it right this time.

Posted from  Australia

The only consolation some of these teams may have is that the ball is round; who knows where it may go.

The world cup will always be 50% skill/tactics and 50% luck.

If you created a tournament for the world’s top 32 teams, you would have very little representation from outside Europe and SA. Imagine how poorly the ‘beautiful game’ would be promoted in other areas of the world? Look at how football has risen in Korea, Japan, and many countries in teh middle east.

Until then, we must tolerate the T&Ts, the Angolas, and yes, maybe even the entire Concacaf. It is for the good of the game.

I wish Mexico the best of luck against Portugal, because they will need their fair share against a more skillful team.

1. It does make a diference to play with subs, even if its Argentina, Portugal, Netherlands or Mexico.

2. Argentina has an advantage since a tie would put them in first place.

3. Portugal will play withouth their players in yellow, probably Mexico will do the same. (we can play without Salcido)

4. Argentina would be a tougher oponent.

5. Both games will be played even. They will play with some subs and try to win.

6. Mexico is the only team that needs to win to truly assure their spot, so I think they will win this one.

7. Let’s hope we do a good game, rest some players, clean their sheats and play against the less good team of group C.

GO MEXICO!!!

Posted from  Mexico

I know Argentina looked pretty invinceable in there last game, but I think Mexico would be better off playing them. They match up better with Argentina. Simular styles. Teams like the Netherlands give Mexico alot of trouble because they are very physical, fast, and they are much taller.

Posted from  United States

After the first 2 matches I really think Torrado needs to sit down I would like to see Ramoncito start with Pardo being the only defensive midfield.I also felt that when Cabrito came to the field the team look a bit sharper(not saying much though…)so he should also start.As much as a lot of people have criticized Franco I think he’s done an ok job and he should pobably start.This next match will help el Tri a statement to the rest of the world.
Vamos Mexico

Posted from  United States

People who support mexico but say that they should be lower down the rankings is no supporter of Mexico at all! I love the fact how I see British people here say how Mexicans are outclasses but there own countries football teams are not in it or if they are they aren’t doing amazing so far in the world cup.

I bet the next comment will be well this person is writing from Britian. I love Britan but Mexico, Brazil & Argentina are all awsome teams & Mexico has the passion that bet Brazil last year that people tend to forget.

So I stand by VIVA Mexico and as a mexican, brazillian & argentinian my self I think 4th in the world is to low.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Thanks Eliza, I would hope our companions had the same spirit. Go Mexico!

Posted from  Mexico

Hey Mexican fans,

I cheer for Portugal, but FYI unconfirmed news from Portugal sites is Scolari will rest all yellow carded players.

The thing is, both ARG and NED will also be resting players and tinkering, so NED could easily win, although with tie for ARG meaning 1st, would lend itself to MEXICO wanting to push for win.

Lets hope for a clean, injury free game and hope neither of our stars miss the round of 16!

Good Luck Mexico (after the Portugal game of course!)

Posted from  Canada

yeah I think portugal will not take their chances on the star players.Look for Mexico to advance to the second round

Also look out for Germany and of course Brasil

This could turn out to be the match of the year! It could go either way. Mexico may be a bit more pressured, but that may give them the extra incentive. Scolari knows the Mexican players & football very well, whereas Volpe problably doesn’t know the Portuguese bench(in my opinion, the bench could play even better that the starting line-up, they are hungrier). This will be an interesting match, because of the respect both teams have for each other (even if Volpe refuses to acknowledge it). Then again, for that same reason, it could end up being very boring, with too much reliance on defensive tactics. Who knows. Either way, i think both teams will pass the group &, though i am rooting for Portugal, i say: Amigos Mexicanos: fuerza y adelante. Like Portugal, Mexico has what it takes to beat Argentina or Holland.

Posted from  Canada

oh yeah…the rankings: these are the opinion of a group of jaded journalists. & there can be no such thing as unbiased rankings. i’d say make judgenments based on what you see, not what you are told. Is Brazil currently the best? Does angols deserve to be down at 70 something?

Posted from  Canada

Glad to see the fans are excited to see Mexico v. Portugal. Too bad it will be a boring game. A draw and Portugal still finished top of the group while resting their starters.

A loss really does not hurt Portugal because the results from group C are unknown.

A loss wouldn’t hurt Mexico as much either judging by Angola’s goals scored so far.

Players will cruise through this game from both sides. Think friendly pre-world cup match.

Posted from  United States

big baller, hope you are wrong, but you are describing a scenario that should be considered.

i think lavolpe has a big ego (he is argentinian in the end, no offense to argentinians whatsoever), and his big ego will make him try to win.

i would tend to agree with you regarding franco. i found it frustrating that he had a couple of clear opportunities to kill angola, and didnt.

it is not the first time i say it. torrado should be sent on holiday to the costa brava, and buy him a ticket direct to mexico.

starting team for me:
defense: no change
midfield: morales, pardo, arellano, zinha
attack: franco, bravo

probably, kikin to start, keeping zinha out, looking for a substitution for arellano if he is not up to it.

well, lets see, good luck.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Good points: Winning the group is what Lavolpe will want to brag about until the end of time.

I will say that Salcido must be benched for the entire game because he is such a key player and is carrying a yellow.

Also, Sinha is a tool. This guy has shown flashes and looked good as a sub when oppossing defenses are a little loosened up but he hasn’t been up to it as a starter lately.

As a fan, I hope to see Guardado play finally and get Gringo Castro, Maza and Kikin some minutes, it’s not fair that the non-productive Pineda and others have eaten all the minutes.

Posted from  United States

I’m almost certain we will see Ramoncito morales on Wednesday. Since Pineda already has a yellow card, I see it very feasable.

From what i understand, Mexico might play Maza from the start and move Rafa to the midfield to help Pavel Pardo. That would mean most likely that Franco would go back to being a 9 1/2 and Kikin will start on top, leaving Omar Bravo take more of an attacking midfielder position on the right side.

I know… it sounds wierd, but my gut feeling is that if you want to break that double 4 of Portugal, Rafa needs to feed the long ball to bypass them, and the best way for him to do that without having to run all day is to be closer to the opposing goalline. It seems to me that El Tri will take that battle to the midfield, and having Kikin from the start, plus marquez, pavel, franco and bravo gives you a team that will stop, steal and shoot.

It doesn’t sound weird, it sounds logical. My biggest gripe with the Angola game was playing with two defensive midfielders (Pardo and Torrado) who did their job on defense but were terrible in the attacking third. And playing with 3 central defenders. Overkill, we didn’t need it.

You could have taken both Pardo and Torrado out and pushed Marquez into their role (as he did for Barca last year) and inserted Maza to cover the backline. And added Kikin as a forward. Salcido and Osorio had it locked down anwyay.

It still would have been enough defense for the likes of Angola.

If this happens it will be playing with 5 forwards. Not unheard of, Argentina and Brazil do this almost every game.

Posted from  United States

I’m not a big fan of Maza and I hope he doesn’t start he doesn’t seem mentally ready for a World Cup to be honest I rather have Claudio playing defense and he has the experience.
It seems Luis Perez is going to start and that seems a good idea pair him with Omarcito and it can be a more offensive midfield.I think its going to be a close game but I can see our beloved Tri rising to the ocasion.
Vamos Mexico

Posted from  United States