A1: Portugal 2 - 0 Turkey - 07/06/08

[NJ10]

Was very impressed with Portugal. Especially Joao Moutinho & Pepe. In Pepe & Carvalho you have perhaps the best centre half pairing in the world at the moment, both so good at reading the game, both strong and quick, and both so assured on the ball.

I thought Nuno Gomes did ok as the lone striker, he got a bit of stick in the English press but he hit the woodwork twice and his return pass for Pepe's goal was excellent. Moutinho was MotM for me, just a great all round performance from him, culminating in a great piece of skill and awareness for Raul Meireles' goal (great first touch from Meireles too). Ronaldo did well in patches, at times he seemed to be trying to do a bit too much, ran up a couple of blind alleys but in the form he has, you can't argue. I was a bit disappointed with Deco, i thought he was very wasteful on the ball, his long passing was ok but he gave away plenty of good positions by being careless.

Was really surprised to see Quaresma not used, was that a shock to Portuguese fans?

Btw that challenge from Mehmet Aurelio on Nani was disgusting. First replay i saw, it looked like he had broken his leg. Thankfully not.

Portugal have a real chance.

[z187]

Originally Posted by NJ10

Was very impressed with Portugal. Especially Joao Moutinho & Pepe. In Pepe & Carvalho you have perhaps the best centre half pairing in the world at the moment, both so good at reading the game, both strong and quick, and both so assured on the ball.

I thought Nuno Gomes did ok as the lone striker, he got a bit of stick in the English press but he hit the woodwork twice and his return pass for Pepe's goal was excellent. Moutinho was MotM for me, just a great all round performance from him, culminating in a great piece of skill and awareness for Raul Meireles' goal (great first touch from Meireles too). Ronaldo did well in patches, at times he seemed to be trying to do a bit too much, ran up a couple of blind alleys but in the form he has, you can't argue. I was a bit disappointed with Deco, i thought he was very wasteful on the ball, his long passing was ok but he gave away plenty of good positions by being careless.

Was really surprised to see Quaresma not used, was that a shock to Portuguese fans?



Btw that challenge from Mehmet Aurelio on Nani was disgusting. First replay i saw, it looked like he had broken his leg. Thankfully not.

Portugal have a real chance.

pretty accurate assessment of the match you have, I just watched it again (without being drunk like I was when I watched it live!)

anyways, yes alot of Portuguese fans were surprised Quaresma isnt used. We have tremendous depth in that position but hopefully Quaresma gets a chance to play soon he is a talented player.

[NJ10]

Absolutely. I rate Quaresma above Nani, and I dont think he is too far (if at all) away from Simao- although Simao did well last night.

[z187]

Originally Posted by NJ10

Absolutely. I rate Quaresma above Nani, and I dont think he is too far (if at all) away from Simao- although Simao did well last night.

The thing is Simao is consistent, he is always reliable. he wont let you down, but he wont take over a game.

Quaresma can let you down he can be inconsistent. but if he has a good day, he can take over a game and outshine every other player on the pitch and dominate

[jec1]

Scolari rates Nani above Q-Boy.... Quaresma will get his chance maybe the third game if Portugal wins. He's a better crosser then Nani and when he's on his game, can win balls and create plays.

Btw, Ronaldo is a DIVER but it's part of the game, all the power is in the hands of the refs, 50/50 decision.

[Trim]

Pepe is the official Man of the Match.

euro2008.uefa.com - Fanzone

[Mark]

Scolari is an idiot. Quaresma is the best player in the world.

[jec1]

I like Q-Boys attitude. He leaves it all on the practice field to impress scolari. I don't think its a smart move singling out Quaresma or Nani for that matter because they're cocky, selfish or showboating, ronaldo is just as much as a show boater yet doesn't get the same treatment as them, and he always starts. I think quaresma's relationship with the coach is frail, isn't as morally strong as ronaldo persay.... you can see that.

How is the guy supposed to prove himself if he continues being used as a sub or on the bench wasting his talents away. He proved he can be a dominate player, look what he's done with Porto, won championships year after year, if not the best player in portugal and all what the media speculates saying that he's a detriment to the team is bollux.... All he needs is that chance.

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Mark

Scolari is an idiot. Quaresma is the best player in the world.

Yeah Scolari is an idiot? Haha good joke. Scolari is such of an idiot that he use all of his subs wisely. If he would of put Quaresma in the whole enviroment of the game would have changed. Scolari is a smart man..