In just over two weeks, Portugal will play in a friendly match with China. It's obvious this decision was made to expose our players to the Asian brand of football before our encounter with North Korea (in our second group phase match). Also, though it is yet to be confirmed, it has been reported that the FPF is set to arrange a friendly with Mozambique. This is another strategic decision, meant to give our players experience with a style of football they will come up against in the group phase, i.e. that of Ivory Coast.
How important is it to have these types of friendlies against opposition similar to that of our World Cup group? Is every game different, or do these friendlies really serve as an eye opener on what to expect?
Personally, I think the most important part is having the team playing together, and gelling as much as possible. As long as the opposition is of a high quality and serves as a good test, then mission accomplished.
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I agree. We need to be playing top level teams so that Portugal get back into the groove of things. Portugals last competetive games were againt Bosnia in November, so a few more matches in the comming months before the world cup starts in June is very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI'm still on the fence about these teams we are going to face. Portugal will be playing china on March 3rd. China will be left without four players who play on the 'big four' teams of china's super league. Although i've never seen China's national team in action, and they are ranked 87th in the world, it'll at least be a good game where we can dust off the cob-webs and maybe get a bit of a morale booster. (hopefully)friendly against Germany or Italy a team where we know we have trouble beating would be most beneficial.
Mozambique is another team i've never seen play. Hopefully they are a tough match, and hopefully we can learn something playing them that we can use againt the Ivorians.
I'd like Portugal to play a couple more friendlies againt european and or south american teams.
Portugal need to face harder competition to prepare them for the world cup. These two teams won't cut it. They are good games to try out some new players, but we need this time to start gellin with our world cup squad.
ReplyDeleteThese qualifiers will be key in beginning preparation for the tournament, although the significant training without interruption just prior to the World Cup will be the most important, I feel.
ReplyDeleteAs far as African opposition and Asian opposition, I suppose there might be some merit to those choices. The opportunity that needs to be exploited is that of testing out the final cuts and seeing how they gel with some core players.
Some positions are essentially set in stone, such as most of the defense and our starting keeper. I'd like to see another keeper get a shot, namely Hilario. I'd also like to see the guys who are fighting for the final positions get called and get some significant playing time along with a good mix of the 'given' players.
Lets see Deco play with Veloso and Micael, letting Viana get some playing time in there as well. Meireles and Mendes we already know are going and how they play with the rest. Lets see Varela, Coentrao and Makukula get some time in with Simao and Ronaldo. Liedson and Nani are locks the same way.
If Pepe doesnt even get a roster spot because he's not ready in time, who would you guys like to see more: Rolando, Meira or Nunes?
Meira!
ReplyDeleteThese teams maybe a good warm up for Portugal, but they definitely need to face some top quality teams that will provide a challenge. But given Portugal's shaky performances during qualifying they may be tougher than everyone thinks!
ReplyDeleteTo further Zhime's ideas about seeing Deco play, if he can't compete I hope he gets relegated to the bench. There are definitely other players out there who are getting consistent playing time with their clubs who should have a chance to show their stuff.