Portugal-0-0- Albania-F - TalkSoccer

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 02:01 AM

a most win

no excuses,

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 02:09 AM

Wednesday
Portugal v Albania, 20:45 pm/3:45pm

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Danny warning

Albania can play defence
19:14 - Futebol - Selecção AA
Danny: “Albânia defende bem”

Danny disse hoje estar confiante na vitória de Portugal ante a Albânia, quarta-feira, em jogo de apuramento para o Mundial’2010, mas alertou para o facto de a equipa albanesa defender bem. “Vimos algumas partes do jogo deles com a Suécia (empate a zero na Albânia). Eles defenderam muito bem, em bloco, atrás, e vai ser um bocado complicado nesse sentido, mas vamos fazer tudo melhor para ganhar”, afirmou o jogador luso, antes do treino da selecção, no Hotel da Falperra, em Braga. O médio do Zenit, que entrou apenas aos 86’ no jogo de sábado, na Suécia (0-0), afirmou ainda que está pronto para jogar mais, mas que essa decisão cabe apenas ao seleccionador nacional, Carlos Queirós. Sobre uma eventual titularidade, Danny remeteu, assim, para o técnico português: “têm que perguntar ao professor, estou aqui para jogar e ajudar a ganhar os três pontos, o treinador é que decide. Há 22 jogadores que querem ser titulares e os 11 que jogarem vão dar o seu melhor e os que entrarem também”, disse. Danny afirmou também que neste momento os jogadores esperavam ter mais pontos porque pensavam ganhar à Dinamarca: “mas isso já passou”, frisou, desvalorizando o desaire com os nórdicos (2-3, em Alvalade). Sobre o jogo de ontem, o jogador considerou que a selecção lusa fez um “bom” jogo: “controlámos bem, podíamos ter ganho, mas a Suécia também tentou ganhar e o empate é bom. É um ponto importante, pois nós não queríamos era perder”. Questionado sobre se pode ser o substituto natural de Deco, o jogador do Zenit foi claro: “o Deco é o Deco, é único, um dos melhores do Mundo nessa posição, eu também sou bom nessa posição, mas não me posso comparar”. O encontro entre Portugal e Albânia, do grupo 1 europeu de apuramento para o Mundial’2010, marcado para a África do Sul, realiza-se quarta-feira, no Estádio Axa, em Braga.

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Danny warning

Albania can play defence
19:14 - Futebol - Selecção AA
Danny: “Albânia defende bem”

Danny disse hoje estar confiante na vitória de Portugal ante a Albânia, quarta-feira, em jogo de apuramento para o Mundial’2010, mas alertou para o facto de a equipa albanesa defender bem. “Vimos algumas partes do jogo deles com a Suécia (empate a zero na Albânia). Eles defenderam muito bem, em bloco, atrás, e vai ser um bocado complicado nesse sentido, mas vamos fazer tudo melhor para ganhar”, afirmou o jogador luso, antes do treino da selecção, no Hotel da Falperra, em Braga. O médio do Zenit, que entrou apenas aos 86’ no jogo de sábado, na Suécia (0-0), afirmou ainda que está pronto para jogar mais, mas que essa decisão cabe apenas ao seleccionador nacional, Carlos Queirós. Sobre uma eventual titularidade, Danny remeteu, assim, para o técnico português: “têm que perguntar ao professor, estou aqui para jogar e ajudar a ganhar os três pontos, o treinador é que decide. Há 22 jogadores que querem ser titulares e os 11 que jogarem vão dar o seu melhor e os que entrarem também”, disse. Danny afirmou também que neste momento os jogadores esperavam ter mais pontos porque pensavam ganhar à Dinamarca: “mas isso já passou”, frisou, desvalorizando o desaire com os nórdicos (2-3, em Alvalade). Sobre o jogo de ontem, o jogador considerou que a selecção lusa fez um “bom” jogo: “controlámos bem, podíamos ter ganho, mas a Suécia também tentou ganhar e o empate é bom. É um ponto importante, pois nós não queríamos era perder”. Questionado sobre se pode ser o substituto natural de Deco, o jogador do Zenit foi claro: “o Deco é o Deco, é único, um dos melhores do Mundo nessa posição, eu também sou bom nessa posição, mas não me posso comparar”. O encontro entre Portugal e Albânia, do grupo 1 europeu de apuramento para o Mundial’2010, marcado para a África do Sul, realiza-se quarta-feira, no Estádio Axa, em Braga.

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Danny don't compare me with Deco

I'm a different play
Deco is one of the best players at that position

quinas1139 · 13-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Question - Why not use Veloso at left back?? He played the position before for Sporting and did a good job and he's naturally left footed??

Another question - With the abundance we have at central defence (Pepe, Meira, Alves, Tonel) and since we havent had a good true DM since the days of Costinha & Paulo Sousa, why not use Carvalho in that position??? He's the smoothest player we have, doesnt get into much foul trouble, he's fast and is a very good passer....why not??? Thoughts???

I would love to see the following lineup -

--------------Quim------------

Bosingwa--Pepe--Alves--Veloso

-----Carvalho------Fernandes---

--Ronaldo---Deco---Quaresma--

------------Danny--------------

Danny up front because all our forwards are just average. Danny seems to play well up front. Simao or Quaresma on the left is fine but I think this would be a great lineup....
I know that Veloso, Deco & Carvalho arent part of the current squad, I'm just talking about the future.

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 06:56 PM

Portugal needs win over AlbaniaUpdated: October 13, 2008, 12:33 PM EST 11 comments add this RSS blog email Print LISBON, Portugal (AP) - After a shock loss to Denmark last month, Portugal aims to reinvigorate its World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over visitor Albania on Wednesday.

After the home loss to Denmark, the Portuguese are scrambling to stamp their mark on Group 1 where three points separate the top four teams.

Portugal picked up a point in Saturday's unimpressive goalless draw in Sweden and needs a convincing victory over Albania to restore its confidence.

"We're still in the fight," Cristiano Ronaldo said. "I'm sure our team will keep growing in stature."

The Manchester United winger is fully fit after ankle surgery kept him out of action for three months and he played the entire 90 minutes, as captain, against Sweden.

But Ronaldo made little impression in that match as Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz struggles to shape his team after taking charge in July following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Ronaldo played as center-forward against Sweden and didn't get enough possession to show off his dribbling skills.

With four regulars sidelined by injury, including midfield playmaker Deco, Queiroz needs to find an attacking lineup that produces goals.

"We have to focus on the essential: playing attractive football and putting together a team, not just a group of good players," Queiroz said. "We have a strong squad, so I'm very confident."

Portugal was cautious against Sweden but against Albania it's going for all three points.

That means Danny could feature in the starting lineup as a replacement for Deco, though the in-form Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder reckons the Albanian back line could be tough to crack.

"They have a pretty impressive defense. They are good at keeping it tight, mounting a barrier at the back. It won't be easy to break them down but we have home advantage," Danny said.

Portugal has won all three previous meetings with Albania.

The two countries share third place on four points after three games. Denmark leads with seven points, two more than second-placed Sweden.

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 08:07 PM

PREVIEW-Soccer-Queiroz sure Portugal will qualify for World Cup
Module body

Sun Oct 12, 10:00 PM

LISBON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Portugal go into their World Cup qualifier against Albania in Braga on Wednesday (1945 GMT) with coach Carlos Queiroz in no doubt they will reach the 2010 finals despite a shock defeat in their previous home tie.

"Without a doubt, I'm convinced we'll qualify (for South Africa)," Queiroz said after Portugal drew 0-0 with Sweden in Stockholm in their third Group One game on Saturday.

"With the players we have, it is possible to ensure qualification," he told reporters, adding that his team's versatility would trouble most opponents.

Queiroz has had to do without several injured regulars for this month's qualifiers, midfielder Maniche, playmaker Deco, central defender Ricardo Carvalho and winger Simao Sabrosa.

He was pleased with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the team after ankle surgery, saying: "The team's spirit is in place and Cristiano was a great captain. I want a team of leaders... he was a great example."

The winger missed last month's 4-0 win in Malta and 3-2 defeat in Lisbon against Denmark, who lead the group with seven points after three games, two points ahead of Sweden and three above Portugal, Hungary and Albania.

Queiroz, who believes Portugal were the better side in Stockholm, added: "We'll be playing at home (on Wednesday) and we want to show that we're determined to build a great team, playing good football.

"For one reason or another, the national team hasn't yet reached it's potential," he added of the 2006 World Cup semi-finalists who only reached the last eight at Euro 2008.

Albania, who lost 2-0 away to Hungary on Saturday, could be without striker Hamdih Salihi on Wednesday due to injury.

Their Dutch coach Arie Haan has no illusions about the task facing his team. He said the group will be won by Portugal, Sweden or Denmark.

Probable teams:

Portugal: 1-Quim; 4-Jose Bosingwa, 5-Pepe, 2-Bruno Alves, 3-Paulo Ferreira; 10-Joao Moutinho, 6-Fernando Meira, 8-Raul Meireles; 11-Nani, 9-Hugo Almeida, 7-Cristiano Ronaldo

Albania: 1-Arjan Beqaj; 6-Debatik Curri, 3-Kristi Vangjeli, 4-Armend Dallku, 2-Elvin Beqiri; 5-Lorik Cana, 10-Klodian Duro, 14-Altin Lala, 7-Amsi Agolli, 13-Ervin Skela; 16-Erion Bogdani

Referee: Knut Kircher (Germany) (Writing by Rex Gowar in London, editing by Justin Palmer)

**Frank Cunha** · 13-10-2008, 08:10 PM

Nuno Gomes and Danny are potential starter's
www.record.pt

**z187** · 13-10-2008, 10:53 PM

yes, nothing less than 3 points would be considered a disaster.

santos6 · 14-10-2008, 02:05 PM

This is a must win game and a must play game for Antunes and Quaresma. I would like to see this line up.

---------------Quim----------------
Boswinga---Pepe---Alves---Antunes
--------------Meira----------------
-------Moutinho---Fernandes-------
Danny-------Ronaldo-------Quaresma

If Antunes isn't good enough for Albania, he's not good enough period. Also with Nani off form he needs to know he's not up to scratch and Simao injured this is make or break time for Quaresma.

quinas1139 · 14-10-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santos6

This is a must win game and a must play game for Antunes and Quaresma. I would like to see this line up.

---------------Quim----------------
Boswinga---Pepe---Alves---Antunes
--------------Meira----------------
-------Moutinho---Fernandes-------
Danny-------Ronaldo-------Quaresma

If Antunes isn't good enough for Albania, he's not good enough period. Also with Nani off form he needs to know he's not up to scratch and Simao injured this is make or break time for Quaresma.

I rather see Ronaldo on the wing with Danny up front or in the middle. No need for 3 defensive midfielders against this team.

EURODAD · 14-10-2008, 05:22 PM

Nani is completely off form. He needs to sit big time. We desperately need Danny to start. Every time he comes on, he makes things happen. He has great vision and makes great passes. I also agree that I would like to see Danny in the middle with the liberty to roam the field. I would give Quaresma one last chance at being a starter with this game. So far, he has not been impressive to me at all. Very disappointed.

santos6 · 14-10-2008, 06:30 PM

Fernandes and Moutinho are not defensive midfielders! Both are box to box players that can both defend and attack, and in both cases attack better then they can defend.

**z187** · 14-10-2008, 07:16 PM

Albania is a team that cannot be underestimated, Portugal will have to play a good game in order to win.