Relentless Ronaldo drives Portugal
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2012, Saturday
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PORTUGAL had not won a game this year coming into Euro 2012 but with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting top form, Paulo Bento's side has shown it is a serious contender for a first major title.
Goalless draws with Poland and Macedonia, then a 1-3 home loss at home to Turkey a week before the tournament started hardly inspired confidence.
A 1-0 defeat by Germany in its opening game, in a tough Group B also containing 2010 World Cup finalist Netherlands as well as gritty Denmark, left Bento facing mounting criticism back home but Portugal has rebounded in style.
An out-of-sorts Ronaldo was outshone against the Danes by substitute Silvestre Varela who scored a late goal to secure a 3-2 win, but you cannot keep the world's most expensive player out of the limelight for long.
He ran the Dutch ragged with two goals and only the woodwork denied him more, then against the Czech Republic in Warsaw on Thursday he again had the frustration of hitting the post twice before his superbly-timed jump to meet Joao Moutinho's cross in the 79th minute secured a semifinal with France or Spain.
The one goal that separated the Portuguese from the Czechs did not reflect the mastery of Ronaldo and the superior quality of his supporting cast.
Captain Ronaldo is the showman but he cannot do it all by himself, despite at times appearing to be trying to.
The golden generation of Luis Figo, Manuel Rui Costa and Deco among others has gone without any silverware - Greece saw to that by stunning the Euro 2004 host in a final it seemed destined to win - but talk that Portugal is a one-man team eight years on ignores some talented and important players in Bento's side.
Miguel Veloso sits in front of the back four and is the anchor that allows Moutinho and Raul Meireles, a real driving force of energy, to push forward, while Nani drifts from flank to flank, allowing Ronaldo the freedom to roam. The fluidity proved too much for the tiring Czechs, although more formidable opponents lie ahead.
"In the semifinals of a great tournament like this, there is always a great team with different characteristics, players of great quality, and well-drilled organization. We don't mind who we play," said Bento.
Ronaldo, who seemingly delivers week in, week out for Real Madrid, has often failed to hit the heights for Portugal when it matters on the big stage.
Clearly an unhappy and frustrated figure under previous coach Carlos Queiroz at the 2010 World Cup where Portugal lost in the last 16 to Spain, it would seem his moment has now come.
"We had a lot of chances," Ronaldo said. "We had a great unity on the pitch and that is why we have reached our goal."
Goalless draws with Poland and Macedonia, then a 1-3 home loss at home to Turkey a week before the tournament started hardly inspired confidence.
A 1-0 defeat by Germany in its opening game, in a tough Group B also containing 2010 World Cup finalist Netherlands as well as gritty Denmark, left Bento facing mounting criticism back home but Portugal has rebounded in style.
An out-of-sorts Ronaldo was outshone against the Danes by substitute Silvestre Varela who scored a late goal to secure a 3-2 win, but you cannot keep the world's most expensive player out of the limelight for long.
He ran the Dutch ragged with two goals and only the woodwork denied him more, then against the Czech Republic in Warsaw on Thursday he again had the frustration of hitting the post twice before his superbly-timed jump to meet Joao Moutinho's cross in the 79th minute secured a semifinal with France or Spain.
The one goal that separated the Portuguese from the Czechs did not reflect the mastery of Ronaldo and the superior quality of his supporting cast.
Captain Ronaldo is the showman but he cannot do it all by himself, despite at times appearing to be trying to.
The golden generation of Luis Figo, Manuel Rui Costa and Deco among others has gone without any silverware - Greece saw to that by stunning the Euro 2004 host in a final it seemed destined to win - but talk that Portugal is a one-man team eight years on ignores some talented and important players in Bento's side.
Miguel Veloso sits in front of the back four and is the anchor that allows Moutinho and Raul Meireles, a real driving force of energy, to push forward, while Nani drifts from flank to flank, allowing Ronaldo the freedom to roam. The fluidity proved too much for the tiring Czechs, although more formidable opponents lie ahead.
"In the semifinals of a great tournament like this, there is always a great team with different characteristics, players of great quality, and well-drilled organization. We don't mind who we play," said Bento.
Ronaldo, who seemingly delivers week in, week out for Real Madrid, has often failed to hit the heights for Portugal when it matters on the big stage.
Clearly an unhappy and frustrated figure under previous coach Carlos Queiroz at the 2010 World Cup where Portugal lost in the last 16 to Spain, it would seem his moment has now come.
"We had a lot of chances," Ronaldo said. "We had a great unity on the pitch and that is why we have reached our goal."
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