Section of Portuguese team embroiled in infighting - International football news
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 national team is facing a small meltdown of its own. A small section of the squad is embroiled in infighting, with questions being raised about squad selection.
The arrival of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-c8346 Queiroz continues to haunt the team.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 right-back Jose Bosingwa is at the centre of the controversy as his expulsion from the national squad continues to be a mystery.
Atletico Madrid’s Silvio and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joao-Pereira-c18664 of Sporting CP have gotten the nod ahead of the experienced Chelsea man, as questions continue to be raised.
The former Sporting coach’s selection criterion has come under suspicion but so far he has the roster’s affection. The Portuguese team has rallied around their coach with Real Madrid defender, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670, coming to his rescue
"The coach is a pretty consistent and ideal," he said ahead of their match against Bosnia.
Portugal will look to continue their winning tradition against Bosnia in play-off ties. They need to beat their opponents in the two-legged affair to progress to Euro 2012.
History, however, is on their side, having knocked out the hosts two years ago in 2010 World Cup play-offs.
The team has improved since then, and according to Luis Figo "it is much stronger now than two years ago."
For their part, Bosnia will be hopeful of a positive result with revenge on their minds. The scars of beings ousted from World Cup are still fresh which will make it a much heated affair.
"I'm optimistic. We have not lost in the last six games, have only conceded a single goal and we're playing great," Safet Susic, the Bosnian coach remarked.
Susic also sent a little message for their rivals: "Portugal have very good players but they do not defend well."
Ahead of the match, the pitch at Zenica has raised controversy. Portuguese Federation president, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gilberto-c14882 Madail, did not like what he saw before the match and let his opinions heard.
"The field is impracticable. You can hardly walk, so imagine what will be playing football," he said.
"Bosnians have done nothing to improve the situation, it seems that have stopped it from getting worse," he complained.
Tags: