FIFA World Cup 2014 Brazil – Squad of Portugal
The team that had the best defence in the FIFA World Cup 2010, despite having Cristiano Ronaldo on their side, who is the highest goal scorer of his club, Real Madrid; but managed to score only one goal during the FIFA World Cup 2010. The goal came out of “luck” as many experts say it. The match was between Portugal and Korea, the Koreans were thrashed 7-0 and Ronaldo managed to score only a single goal.
Even though the Portuguese had an amazing run in the group stages, they disappointed in the pre quarter finals against Spain, as they kept on defending throughout the match and then eventually lost with a single goal that was conceded late in the second half.
The current coach of the Portuguese side is probably going to change by the time the FIFA World Cup 2014 is going to take place. His strategies were criticized throughout the tournament as few wrote them down as: “shields only, with bows without arrows.” Portugal, however, did not concede a goal throughout the group stages but still were known to be the best defence of the FIFA World Cup 2010.
The goalkeeper of the Portuguese team, Eduardo, would be 31 years old and would be definitely playing the next FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese goalkeeper has shown great form and did not let any team, except Spain, score a goal. The perfect substitute for him would be the 26 year old at that time, Patricio, who is young at this point of time, but would be experienced enough to play for the Portuguese side in the next FIFA World Cup.
Amongst the teams that are going to be a part of the FIFA World Cup 2014, Portugal is the team that is going to take almost the same squad as this year. With Ricardo Carvalho retiring by the time next World Cup is going to take place, Bruno Alves and Pepe are going to take his place and be the centre backs for the Portuguese side. The right back would be the very experienced; Bosingwa and the left back would be Coentrao. All these defenders are perfect and experienced enough to be part of the World Cup squad of Portugal in 2014.
In the midfield, if the Portuguese decide to play 5 midfielders along with 2 wingers and 2 centre midfielders then; the young Veloso is going to be the only defensive midfielder of the team. There is no better choice for the European side to play as defensive midfield. Upfront, in the centre midfield, the very experienced, Meireles and Moutinho would be present to assist there striker. The two wingers would include their captain, Christiano Ronaldo on the left hand side and the very experienced player Quaresma on the right. However, Nani is a good option on the right side but no one can be too sure of his place in the first team.
The “soul striker” for the Portuguese would be Almedia, who was able to score most of the goals that their team scored. He is going to be 30 by the time the next FIFA World Cup is going to take place and that means that he would be of perfect age and at his peak by 2014. Other players that the selection committee would have to look into include; Nani, the Manchester United superstar, has been amazing at the left wing of the team and even at the right wing while playing for his club. It was a shock for the Portuguese side, when he got injured before the FIFA World Cup 2010, and could not be a part of this prestigious event.
Therefore, the starting line-up of the Portuguese squad would probably be:
Eduardo, Bosingwa, Alves, Pepe, Coentrao, Veloso, Quaresma, Meireles, Moutinho, Ronaldo, Almeida.
Substitutes: Patricio, Carrico, Rolando, Micael, Amorim, Varela, Saleiro, Nani.
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