Portugal’s new era under new coach Paulo Bento kicked off well with a victory over Denmark. Iceland is next on the Portuguese’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign agenda, and the Selecção are favorites to win.
It’s perhaps too early for Portugal and their fans to jubilate all night long, but it’s certainly not wrong for them to realistically dream about a bright future following Denmark’s defeat on Friday night.
A great performance and two goals from Manchester United’s Luis Nani played the trick for Bento’s side. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo also got his name on the score sheet – not only to round up Portugal’s sweet victory, but also to mark something new in his international career for the benefit of the entire team which is experience Paulo Bento’s leadership.
Denmark proved to be no match for the Selecção and Iceland are also expected to suffer nothing else but defeat on their own soil, come Tuesday.
Analytically speaking, it’s just as if Iceland’s presence in Group H is for the rest of the table’s contenders to recover from lost points. Norway and Denmark have already made the most of their meeting with this side earlier in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Portugal will also have to emulate the Danes and the Norwegians should they keep the momentum alive and qualify from Group H. Although there are many more matches to be played before the end of qualifiers, the game against Iceland is one that the Selecção cannot afford to draw or to lose. On paper, they are way superior to Tuesday’s hosts, so not materializing their strength on the pitch will offer nothing less than disappointment to the Iberian country.
Actually, Portugal will need to watch out for an upset knowing that Iceland manager Olafur Johannesson will line up “wise old players” for this Euro 2012 qualifying fixture. Another important fact to point out is that despite occupying Group H’s fifth and last spot, Iceland haven’t proved to be an easy team to defeat.
Results speak for themselves: both Norway and Denmark could only register one-goal margin wins against them just like Portugal previously lost 1-0 to the Norwegians. However, if Portugal progress from the already-fine performance they displayed against Denmark, then there’s a great chance that Iceland will endure their third defeat on the trot in the Euro 2012 qualifying phase.
A great performance and two goals from Manchester United’s Luis Nani played the trick for Bento’s side. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo also got his name on the score sheet – not only to round up Portugal’s sweet victory, but also to mark something new in his international career for the benefit of the entire team which is experience Paulo Bento’s leadership.
Denmark proved to be no match for the Selecção and Iceland are also expected to suffer nothing else but defeat on their own soil, come Tuesday.
Analytically speaking, it’s just as if Iceland’s presence in Group H is for the rest of the table’s contenders to recover from lost points. Norway and Denmark have already made the most of their meeting with this side earlier in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Portugal will also have to emulate the Danes and the Norwegians should they keep the momentum alive and qualify from Group H. Although there are many more matches to be played before the end of qualifiers, the game against Iceland is one that the Selecção cannot afford to draw or to lose. On paper, they are way superior to Tuesday’s hosts, so not materializing their strength on the pitch will offer nothing less than disappointment to the Iberian country.
Actually, Portugal will need to watch out for an upset knowing that Iceland manager Olafur Johannesson will line up “wise old players” for this Euro 2012 qualifying fixture. Another important fact to point out is that despite occupying Group H’s fifth and last spot, Iceland haven’t proved to be an easy team to defeat.
Results speak for themselves: both Norway and Denmark could only register one-goal margin wins against them just like Portugal previously lost 1-0 to the Norwegians. However, if Portugal progress from the already-fine performance they displayed against Denmark, then there’s a great chance that Iceland will endure their third defeat on the trot in the Euro 2012 qualifying phase.
