Brazil, Portugal play for pride
Source: Agencies |
June 25, 2010, Friday
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PRIDE not pragmatism will be the watchword when Brazil and Portugal meet in a mouthwatering clash to decide the winner of Group G.
Although whoever tops the group could meet Spain in the second round, any suggestion that either side might connive to avoid the European champion has received short shrift.
"In Brazilian national football our duty is to win every game," defender Lucio said on Wednesday. "We play for the honor of the Brazilian shirt and the Brazilian public. We don't pick our opponents."
Brazil coach Dunga does not like to meddle with his team but will have to replace playmaker Kaka, who is suspended after his red card in Sunday's 3-1 win over Ivory Coast.
Julio Baptista or Dani Alves are likely to step into midfield.
Unlike Brazil, which has two wins, the Portuguese could still mathematically be overhauled by the Ivorians for a last 16 spot despite Monday's 7-0 drubbing of North Korea.
Any thoughts of Portugal playing for the draw that would guarantee its progress will, however, be tempered by the memory of the 6-2 thrashing it got in their last meeting with the five-time world champion in a 2008 friendly. "It was a big defeat for us and now we have a chance to beat them," playmaker Tiago said.
Coach Carlos Queiroz is likely to start with the same lineup that thrashed North Korea. Deco, one of three Brazilian-born players in the Portuguese squad, might offer Queiroz an extra option if he has recovered from a hip injury.
Although whoever tops the group could meet Spain in the second round, any suggestion that either side might connive to avoid the European champion has received short shrift.
"In Brazilian national football our duty is to win every game," defender Lucio said on Wednesday. "We play for the honor of the Brazilian shirt and the Brazilian public. We don't pick our opponents."
Brazil coach Dunga does not like to meddle with his team but will have to replace playmaker Kaka, who is suspended after his red card in Sunday's 3-1 win over Ivory Coast.
Julio Baptista or Dani Alves are likely to step into midfield.
Unlike Brazil, which has two wins, the Portuguese could still mathematically be overhauled by the Ivorians for a last 16 spot despite Monday's 7-0 drubbing of North Korea.
Any thoughts of Portugal playing for the draw that would guarantee its progress will, however, be tempered by the memory of the 6-2 thrashing it got in their last meeting with the five-time world champion in a 2008 friendly. "It was a big defeat for us and now we have a chance to beat them," playmaker Tiago said.
Coach Carlos Queiroz is likely to start with the same lineup that thrashed North Korea. Deco, one of three Brazilian-born players in the Portuguese squad, might offer Queiroz an extra option if he has recovered from a hip injury.
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