FIFA World Cup 2010: Portugal Coach Pleased with his Team’s Performance
Portugal put on a fabulous show on the 10th day of the World Cup, when they trounced North Korea 7 nil in their 2nd group match. Questions were raised over their performance in the first match, but all doubts were set aside, and their critics were made to eat their words, after what transpired on the pitch in the 2nd game.
Team coach Carlos Queiroz believes the win was just what his team needed to prepare for their big match against Brazil. And a win as resounding as this will most definitely instil immense confidence within the team.
The first game against Ivory Coast, which ended in a 0-0 draw, was a major disappointment according to the coach, but the key was not to panic and change too much in the team. Queiroz said he knew his team was capable of much better, and that was precisely what they did in the next game.
The former Manchester United assistant coach is of the opinion that scoring goals is always something that boosts up a team. Regardless of how many hours players put in at training, performance on the match day is what matters.
Carlos said that he was immensely pleased by the way his players stuck to the plan; every player knew what he had to do, and the results were there for everyone to see.
After the big win, Portugal now have moved to 4 points from 2 games, and even though other teams in the group may be able to come at level with them at the end of group games, their superior goal difference means they are all but sure to qualify for the final 16.
Ivory Coast, who are yet to hit their stride in the tournament, have a chance to improve against North Korea in their last group match. However, even if they do manage to win, and Portugal lose to Brazil, the Europeans will have no problems in going through on goal difference, unless they concede 7 or more goals against Brazil, which is very unlikely.
Queiroz said that he would like to express great satisfaction after the biggest win for Portugal at the international stage, and he admires the attitude and reverence of his players. According to the manager, it was simply beautiful, and a historic day for Portuguese football when they defeated North Korea by a wide goal margin.
Queiroz went on to say that his players are raring to go now; they are incredibly upbeat and cannot wait for the next game to prove they have the ability to take on the best in the business.
While there were 7 goals in the match, the most important one for Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was the one he scored (although with some amount of luck). Ronaldo said that he had been under some pressure due to lack of goals at an International level. Not being able to score for his country for almost 2 years was a big burden on his shoulders. Ronaldo said that he was glad to finally get the monkey off his back.
Ronaldo is believed to be one of the best players in the world along with the Argentine Lionel Messi, and just like Messi, he is always compared to some of the greats of the game. Pundits of the game, though, still think he has to come good at an International level for him to be considered one of the bests of all time. The time is right for the winger to prove his worth, with the biggest match of his international career coming up next against Brazil. And even though they may already have a safe passage through to the next round, there will be enough motivation for not just Ronaldo but all the Portuguese players to take on the 5 time world champions Brazil.
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