Matias Vulej, Jun 23rd 2010

Almost 200 years ago Brazil broke free from the Kingdom of Portugal. Now both nations will be facing each other on relatively familiar ground, to see if the Portuguese makes it to the round of 16.

Portugal is back on track after a historic victory over the Korean squad. Brazil has not entertained the crowds as much as expected, and their goal has been breached in every single match of this competition. Kaka's controversial red card against Cote d'Ivoire will call for some modifications in Dunga's strategy, for he will be lacking the play maker that made their classic 4-3-1-2 formation shine at their best; Julio Baptista might be the natural substitute, but Daniel Alves, Ramires or Nilmar have also chances of occupying his position. Portugal's coach Queiroz will try to catch the Carioca squad off guard with another unexpected scheme, will it work against the most experienced squad in this competition?

There's no doubt Brazil is a serious candidate for this year's title, and the 100% efficiency of the Verdeamarelho during the first two matches have shown they can bear with the label of candidate without hesitating. Maicon and Michael Bastos are the architects of this unstoppable Brazil, helping from the bands both in offense and defense, as well as troubling their rival's goalkeeper with violent shots from mid distance.

 

Julio Cesar has shown there's a reason why he's widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the globe. If only their offense was as constant as their defense, the Brazilians will have no problems in getting to the latter stages of this competition, but Robinho and Luis Fabiano have not been able to capitalize such opportunities.

 

Dunga's favorite Elano has been going through a rather rocky patch, and now Bastos has taken over the free kicks his role in the squad has clearly become less decisive. Without Kaka, Dunga will have to find somebody to lead team's advance, and Rome's Julio Baptista might be the one, thanks to his natural offensive instinct and body balance. On the other hand, Dani Alves' absence is still criticized, and Barcelona's right winger might offer Dunga more presence in the middle of the field, as his versatility might adapt to whatever need Dunga has in his strategy: the opportunity to change roles with Maicon in the right band can prove decisive to break Portugal's scheme. On the other hand, Ramires is one of the players with most experience against Portuguese (he's been playing for Benfica since 2009) and plays the kind of football Dunga will be lacking without the Merengue star.   

 

Having won their last six matches, Brazil is ready to send Portugal back to the Atlantic Coast. It will be tough against a team that has not yet received a single goal in this competition, but the expertise of the South American in the opposing area might change this. Brazil is aware Maradona's boys are the current favorite for the title, though a sounding victory against the Europeans might offer the Verdeamarelhos an opportunity to reclaim what's theirs.

The Durban Stadium will host one of the most expected matches of this competition, as it was thought from the beginning these two teams were going to be leading the Death Group, and thanks to Portugal's 7-0 victory over Korea DPR it looks like both teams are going to advance to the latter stages of FIFA World Cup. Having not worried Cote d'Ivoire's goalkeeper Barry a single time in the first match, the Asian feast of last week has returned their spirit to most of the players, and Brazil will be the perfect opportunity to measure their strengths against a real opponent.

 

Team's coach Carlos Queiroz tried to remain calm after the historic match. "I want to congratulate my players for the marvelous way in which they performed. The attitude was superb and that called for a beautiful game. We scored seven goals, but won only three points. This has been a single match and nothing more. Now we need to focus in our clash against Brazil to make it to the round of 16" were his humble words. It is not only that Portugal is the top scoring team of the competition with seven conversions, they're at the same time one of the four teams that kept their goal shut for the whole competition (along with Chile, Netherlands and Uruguay). Portugal has one of the cleanest defenses having managed to keep their goal shut on almost 80% of the matches played under Queiroz's leadership.

 

Everyone remembers the last time these two teams faced each other back in 2008, when the Scratch defeated Portugal 6-2. "It will be a total different game, but we don't want Brazil scoring: It is not only a mathematical matter, it has much to do with our pride" were Quiroz's words a few days before this match. Such adverse luck for the Portuguese defense could give Didier Drogba's team an opportunity to make it to the next stage, shall they obtain a loose advantage over Korea.

 

Pedro Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo will have to keep their nerves particularly cooled for this decisive clash, as the caution they've received against Korea might keep them away from an important match in the next round. Tiago's aerial prowess will be decisive against Lucio and Juan. Cristiano Ronaldo has tasted once again the net wearing its National Football Team colors after over a year. Will he celebrate again after Friday's game? 

Portugal	Brazil
Yellow Cards
Alexandre Fabio Coentrao (45') Pepe (40') Tiago (31') Duda (25')	Melo (43') Juan (25') Fabiano (15')
Statistics
Shots Total 3 5 Shots on goal 0 0 Fouls 11 18 Corners 0 0 Offsides 2 0 Possession Time 31.5 68.5 Yellow Cards 4 3 Red Cards 0 0 Saves 0 0
Squad
1 Eduardo (G) 21 Ricardo Costa (LD) 6 Ricardo Carvalho (CD-L) 2 Bruno Alves (CD-R) 5 Duda (RD) 19 Tiago (CM-L) 15 Pepe (RCM) 16 Raul Meireles (CM-R) 10 Danny (LM) 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (RM) 23 Alexandre Fabio Coentrao (CF)	1 Julio Cesar (G) 2 Maicon (LD) 3 Lucio (CD-L) 4 Juan (CD-R) 6 Michel Bastos (RD) 13 Dani Alves (CM-L) 8 Gilberto Silva (RCM) 5 Felipe Melo (CM-R) 21 Nilmar (LM) 19 Julio Baptista (RM) 9 Luis Fabiano (CF)
Substitutes
12 Beto 3 Paulo Ferreira 4 Rolando 8 Pedro Mendes 9 Liedson da Silva Muniz 11 Simao 13 Miguel 14 Miguel Veloso 18 Hugo Almeida 22 Daniel Fernandes	12 Heurelho Gomes 11 Robinho 14 Luisao 15 Thiago Silva 16 Gilberto 17 Josue 18 Ramires 20 Kleberson 23 Grafite 22 Doni
Substitutions