October 11th, 2011
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance - 72396 (Sell-Out)
Referee - Julio Alcantara (Spain)
PORTUGAL (4-3-3) Patricio
Coentrao - Alves - Pepe - J. Pereira*
Moutinho - Amorim* - Danny
Varela* - Ronaldo - Nani
Bench:
GK - Beto
CM - Viana
CM - Meireles
CM - Veloso
CB - Rolando
RW - Djalo
RB - Miguel Lopes
Oct 11, 2011 - Portugal vs Wales
TEAM
1
2
SCORE
Portugal (5-3-0)
1
2
3
Wales (3-3-2)
0
1
1
Team Stats Comparison
Portugal
Wales
3
Goals
1
10
Shots
6
8
Shots on Target
2
9
Tackles
7
4
Fouls
3
2
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0
0
Injuries
0
80
Shot Accuracy
33
82
Passing Percentage
88
Portugal Heading To Poland/Ukraine for EURO 2012! Dominating performance all over the pitch help Portuguese claim 1st!
It was quite a night in Cardiff. First off, Denmark defeated Finland earlier in the day, putting the pressure on both Wales and Portugal to pick up three points.
Gary Speed's team had played their way into a position where they controlled their own destiny. A victory, and they would be into a 2nd-place playoff with a spot in the EURO on the line.
As for Carlos Verde's boys, a solitary point would get them into a play-off, while a victory would send them straight to the EURO next June.
Thus, the stage was set for an epic match at, for the first time ever, a sold out Millennium Stadium. 70 000+ for a football match in WALES. Who would have ever imagined that!
The first half was very tense and defensive, with neither team wanting to make that first mistake and find themselves behind the eight ball.
Just on the stroke of halftime, in the 45th minute, Ruben Amorim, making his first start of qualifying, played a long ball seemingly to no one. Then, out of nowhere came a lightning-quick Cristiano Ronaldo, who latched onto the ball, dribbled in on goal, and fired a high hard one past Mayberry to put the visitors up 1-nil at the break.
The 2nd half started with the Welsh desperately attacking, and it paid off.
In the 60th minute, Portuguese right back Joao Pereira took down Aaron Ramsay in the area, and the Welsh had a way back into the match.
However, Ramsay stepped up and thumped his penalty effort off the post and out, so Portugal retained their one-nil lead.
Another shock moment for the crowd came in the 74th, when Cristiano Ronaldo did his typical jig, losing three Welsh defenders in the process, before curling a high shot towards the Welsh goal. Mayberry completely misplayed it, but luckily for the Welsh it bounced off the top of the crossbar and out of play. Crisis averted.
But just two minutes later, Ronaldo made sure that he put the Portuguese up for good, receiving a cross from Nani and half-volleying it past Mayberry to double the seleccao lead and pretty much kill the match.
The game got a bit rough at this point, with Gareth Bale picking up a yellow in an altercation with Bruno Alves.
Then, in the 85th, Ronaldo gave the fans their full money's worth. After being savagely brought down by a vicious tackle from Miedmer which solicited a yellow card, Ronaldo stepped up to take a free kick from 28 yards out. He curled the ball around the wall and under the outstretched arms of Mayberry to complete the hat trick, send Wales home dejected, and kick off the party in Lisbon.
Gareth Bale got a consolation goal in the 89th, but by then it was all over.
3-1 Portugal the final, and manager Verde made sure everyone knew where this team had come from. After the match, he ripped off his suit jacket and dress shirt, and sported a t-shirt which simply stated- "South Africa - NO. Poland/Ukraine - YES."
This team is flashy, dashing, and passionate. And they may just turn some heads next summer in Poland...
I can't help it, the tears stream down my face now. We did it. I did it. I saved my job, and we've made it to EURO 2012. Elation is the best word I can find to describe it. Each whistle from the Welsh faithful as we celebrate in our corner with our traveling supporters, each whistle is music to my ears.
I had a heart-to-heart talk with Gary, and he told me he's received an offer from Newcastle United to become their new manager. Great for him. What a great day all around. Time to go do my TV interview!
"Hello Carlos, congratulations on the accomplishment, Dean Murray here with Sky Sports. What can you say about this moment here in Cardiff tonight?"
"Well I would just like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to two federations- first and foremost, the San Marinese for giving me an opportunity to wet my feet in this game again when no one else would give me the time of day. I will be forever indebted to that nation. And secondly, to the Federation here in Portugal, they've done a great job raising excellent players through their system, and I can't thank them enough for believing in me!"
"Any particular words for your old bosses at Blackburn Rovers?"
"Plenty, but none that are PG-enough for television. They chose a new direction and it didn't involve me. Last I checked they were relegated from the English Premier League last year, so that looks like the direction is really great. Happy for them. Not to mention, my wages are much higher with the Portuguese Federation, haha!"
"Still a great interview as always! Plans going forward to the EURO?"
"Well, first we need to see which other teams will qualify, and then who we get in the group draw. Then we'll begin planning our tournament schedule. I'm very excited. I've never managed at an international tournament before, and I think this is an excellent opportunity both for my players and for me as a manager!"
"I won't keep you any longer, go celebrate with your charges! Tonight Mr. Verde, you, are the toast of Portugal!"
"Thank you Dean, have an excellent season! Nothing but the best to the lads at SkySports!"
"Well that's it then for our coverage from the Millennium Stadium here in Cardiff. It's a dominating performance from the Portuguese and they book themselves a ticket to the 2012 EURO! Manager Carlos Verde returns to the big stage again!"
Italy 3:0 Greece
Di Natale (27, 89)
Ranocchia (47)
Hungary 0:1 Slovakia
Vittek (57)
-----------------------------------------------
Thoughts
- It looks as though our group mates Denmark will be joining us in Poland/Ukraine, can't see them allowing three goals at home against Romania.
- Ireland have a very real chance of qualifying, if they can just hold down the fort at home and not give up a goal.
- Italy, despite a 2nd-place scare, will be in Poland/Ukraine, no doubt.
- Looking back, I'm very glad I chose the Portugal offer over the Hungary offer. That national team is just in complete disarray, and are on course to miss their fifth consecutive major tournament!
I personally believe we should be a Pot 2 team, though if we miraculously get a Pot 1 designation I wouldn't complain.
Pot 1 Ukraine*
Poland*
Germany
Spain
Pot 2 Netherlands
England
Portugal
Serbia
Pot 3
Italy
Sweden
Croatia
Russia
Pot 4
Belgium
Denmark
Ireland
Slovakia
Thoughts:
Pot 2, about where I figured we would land. There are some brutal Pot 4 teams though. There's such a different in quality between Ireland and Slovakia vs. Belgium and Denmark. On their day, Belgium and Denmark can beat anyone. I don't think Slovakia and Ireland can touch Pot 1 and 2 teams.
Very interesting group for England, as they draw the worst Pot 1 team (Ukraine), but then draw the best Pot 3 team (Italy). The fact they drew a pushover Pot 4 team (Slovakia) tips the scales and makes this a winnable group for them. I'm seeing England and Italy in no particular order advancing. The host Ukrainians might make something happen, while Slovakia are just lucky to be in the tournament, and probably won't pick up a single point.
EURO 2012 - Group B
TEAM
GP
W
D
L
PTS
Spain
Serbia
Russia
Belgium
An interesting group sees Spain in the driver's seat with three quality sides. Though none of Belgium, Serbia, and Russia will be a threat to win the tournament, all three can pull of a giant-killing. Spain will have to be very weary in all three matches, as all three boast good offenses. I predict Spain in 1st, and the Pot 4 team (Belgium) advancing in 2nd-place!
EURO 2012 - Group C
TEAM
GP
W
D
L
PTS
Germany
Netherlands
Sweden
Denmark
Clearly the 'Group of Death,' Group C features four quality sides and two tournament favorites in Netherlands and Germany. Going to be very difficult for both Sweden and Denmark to advance, though I suppose anything's possible!
EURO 2012 - Group D
TEAM
GP
W
D
L
PTS
Poland
PORTUGAL
Croatia
Rep. of Ireland
Yes boys! A nice group, which we should win as long as we maintain our focus throughout the group stage. Croatia's the only team that should pose any kind of threat, I think we're on a different level than Ireland and Poland. We'll stay frosty. I expect us to win the group and be followed by Croatia!
June 1st, 2012 - Arrive in Poland for main camp (Lodz)
June 5th, 2012 - Tune-up match against Group C's Sweden (Warsaw)
June 11th, 2012 - Poland v. PORTUGAL (Warsaw)
June 15th, 2012 - PORTUGAL v. Rep. of Ireland (Wroclaw)
June 19th, 2012 - PORTUGAL v. Croatia (Warsaw)
CV - Hello everybody, I'm very glad to be here in Poland, and my squadhas exceptionally high morale thanks to the kind greeting of the people of Lodz. Starting off, I'd like to note that I will not be discussing tactics and formations in this press conference. Now, moving along...questions?
Rep.: Diego Arranzubieta, Marca.COM, are you feeling any of the pressure other managers describe when managing a well-known footballing nation in your first international tournament?
CV - Gracias for the question Diego. No, I'm very comfortable with this group of players as they are with me. We've been together on and off for almost two years now, so I think they know my style and I theirs. We've been looking forward to this since beating Wales back in October, and now that we're here, we plan to make the most of our opportunity.
Rep.: Jack Hobson, Daily Telegraph, any truth to the rumor that Liverpool FC have extended you an offer to manage them for the 2012/13 season?
CV - Mr. Hobson, my sole career goal right now is managing Portugal as best as I can. The Reds have not approached me, but if they did I'd be all ears. I highly doubt that I will ever manage in England again after my unceremonious exit from the EPL back in '06. However, if anything changes, my press secretary will personally make sure you're the first to know.
Rep.: Bom dia Senhor Verde, Joao Porfirio from RTP Sport, who is going to play at Right Back? You've flip-flopped between Fabio Coentrao and Eliseu for the duration of qualifying.
CV - Oh, you know me, I'll probably flip a coin on the day of the Poland match and start whoever calls tails!
Rep.: Is Cristiano Ronaldo completely match fit? He had a nagging ankle injury throughout this past campaign at Real Madrid?
CV - I will not be discussing injuries at this time (Ronaldo's completely fine, I smirk to myself, if Poland want to waste energy figuring out if he's injured or not, their loss).
Rep.: After the choice remarks you made about John Terry and the English national team about a year ago, would you still fancy a match-up with them in the Knockout Round?
CV - I would, I think they are not one of Europe's elite teams. You can quote me on this. Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy. I'd rather play England than those four any day. No more questions? Thanks gentlemen...
07-08-2013, 12:19 AM
