Deco spat is latest to unsettle Portugal
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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CRACKS are already appearing in a Portugal camp readying itself for a crucial Group G game against North Korea.
Ranked No. 3 in the world, Portugal could only muster a 0-0 draw in its opener against Ivory Coast. The on-pitch shortcomings are now being worsened by off-field grievances and public spats.
Deco was the center of attention yesterday as the Portuguese scrambled to regroup. The midfielder had grumbled to reporters after the opener about coach Carlos Queiroz's tactics and substitutions.
"Why was I replaced? You have to ask the coach," he had told reporters after being substituted. "I felt good. He told me to go to the right wing, which I have never done in my career as I am not a winger, then he took me off," added the disgruntled player.
"The way we approached the game in the second half was not right, betting on the direct style was not the best solution."
With team unity apparently fraying, Deco said in a statement posted on the Portuguese Football Federation's Website the following day that he expressed his opinions "in the heat of the moment" and had not intended to question Queiroz's leadership.
"It wasn't the right thing to say," he said, adding that he had apologized to his teammates. "I never expected it to cause such a furor."
Central defender Ricardo Carvalho was the first to unintentionally rock the boat. He told reporters that Portugal's 2006 World Cup squad was the strongest he'd played in? a comment taken to mean that his teammates in South Africa weren't as good.
Ranked No. 3 in the world, Portugal could only muster a 0-0 draw in its opener against Ivory Coast. The on-pitch shortcomings are now being worsened by off-field grievances and public spats.
Deco was the center of attention yesterday as the Portuguese scrambled to regroup. The midfielder had grumbled to reporters after the opener about coach Carlos Queiroz's tactics and substitutions.
"Why was I replaced? You have to ask the coach," he had told reporters after being substituted. "I felt good. He told me to go to the right wing, which I have never done in my career as I am not a winger, then he took me off," added the disgruntled player.
"The way we approached the game in the second half was not right, betting on the direct style was not the best solution."
With team unity apparently fraying, Deco said in a statement posted on the Portuguese Football Federation's Website the following day that he expressed his opinions "in the heat of the moment" and had not intended to question Queiroz's leadership.
"It wasn't the right thing to say," he said, adding that he had apologized to his teammates. "I never expected it to cause such a furor."
Central defender Ricardo Carvalho was the first to unintentionally rock the boat. He told reporters that Portugal's 2006 World Cup squad was the strongest he'd played in? a comment taken to mean that his teammates in South Africa weren't as good.
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