Hungary |
0 - 1
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Portugal |
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HungaryHungary’s hopes of qualifying to the World Cup remain alive despite losing 2-1 to Sweden on Saturday.
Though the Magical Magyars have failed to record a win in their last three international games, double wins over Albania and Malta previously look to have minimized the pressure.
Hungary hold a three-point advantage against fourth-placed Portugal with three more matches to go before the end of the campaign .
Among these three matches left, Hungary have a double header against the Portuguese. The first part of this mission comes on Wednesday evening and expectations are high in the camp of the Hungarians.
Knowing that the chase for the top spot in Group A is not over yet, Hungary will surely play at their full strength to clinch the maximum points away from the out-of-form Portuguese.
Only four points separate Hungary from the leaders Denmark as nine more points remain at stake.
The gate to enter the promise land which is South Africa is narrowing every match day for the Portuguese. With only two victories from seven games in the qualifiers, Portugal find themselves fourth in the table behind Hungary and Sweden.
The standings explain that Portugal’s fate doesn’t only lies in their own hands now. The disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark on Saturday has left Portugal hanging from a thread.
Winning the remainder of their qualifiers is not the only solution for the Portuguese to stand the chance of playing in the World Cup. Now their eyes will be on Sweden’s result too.
Either way, ahead of Wednesday’s thrilling encounter away to Hungary, Portugal will be focused on nothing else but this all-important clash.
Carlos Queiroz will need to readjust his tactics at the back for Portugal. The former Manchester United assistant manager is certainly aware of the danger that Hungary’s Sandor Torghelle could pose to his defenders. However, the worry is especially upfront where Portugal’s forwards struggle to find the back of the net.
Statistically, everyone would expect the Portuguese to bag at least three goals per game because of the amount of chances that they create. But this has not been the case and as time passes by, their dream of qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa is fading away.
Pressure will also be high on Cristiano Ronaldo to perform as a real leader, not just tactically but also mentally. The 2008 World Player of the Year has still not recorded a single goal in Portugal’s World Cup qualification campaign.