MONDAY, JULY 08, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Portugal plays France in a quarterfinal match that will decide a spot in the semi-finals of the EURO 24 tournament being played in Germany. For Goans, it is a match where their hopes and prayers lay with Portugal. However the Portuguese team has flattered to deceive.
It has been a mixed bag for the team wherein, their performance has not been up to the mark. Their victories have not been convincing.
Goan football lovers though will root for the Portuguese, they have pointed out some major gaps in their performance, which has to be plugged in tomorrow’s knock-out game, if they want to move ahead in this marquee tournament.
Former India Goalkeeper Brahmanand Sankhwalkar felt the Portuguese need to be more “defensive minded” when they lose the ball because the French are very good when on the attack. But once they get the ball, the Portuguese should be on the offensive.
“The Portuguese seem to slacken a bit when they lose the ball. They need to hold the ball and go forward. The match would be a tough encounter,” Sankhwalkar said.
Former Goa football administrator Savio Messias said he would be supporting Portugal, but it would be a tough encounter. He felt the team management should try younger players.
“They benched Ronaldo during a world cup match and they played very well. The coach however seems to have a lot of confidence in him. Let’s see,” Messias said.
Another former Goa football administrator Alberto Colaco said he hoped Portugal emerged victorious because they had outstanding players.
Omi Tunes, a musician and football fan based in Vasco, was of the opinion that it is going to be a huge encounter today when Portugal take on France in the quarters of the Euro 2024.
“Although France started pretty well in the tournament, in the last few matches, they haven’t looked that fluid, but they certainly look to be the better side than Portugal who have struggled in the tournament by their own standards. After coming through an amazing qualifying campaign, the Portuguese haven’t been very fluent in this year's tournament and have struggled to score. They were lucky to come out as the Victor against Georgia in the round of 16 where CR7 looked wasteful,” Tunes said.
“But having that said, I think the whole of Goa, including me, will be backing the Portuguese and hope that the big man comes up with a big performance when it matters the most,” he said.
Former India player, Bruno Countinho felt both the teams had not played well and it could be anybody's game. He said, “I feel Ronaldo will score and win the game. It will be a good game.”
For football consultant and the man behind the Football Dugout, Conrad Barretto the match he felt would be exciting.
“I think France are the better team on paper. But if Nuno Mendes and Dalot can close the wing and force France to attack from the middle, there will be chances for Portugal. Because, the threat from the centre will come from Tchuomeni, Griezman or Camavinga. This is something Portugal midfield can control,” Barretto said.
“Mbappe and Ronaldo will be the key players to watch out for. Both of them love having eyes of themselves. But if they play for the team instead of personal glory we’re in for an exciting match,” he added.
For businessman Wyn Coutinho, “Portugal has to firstly see that they give no chance to France to score any goals. Portugal should keep the pressure on France by playing the ball in their turf. The players have to coordinate properly.”
For Agnelo Dias, another businessman, the key was to stop France in their counterattack. He said, “France is a top team. They play very fast counter-attacking football. If Portugal can stop or control the pace in midfield...just as Argentina did in Doha (FIFA World Cup 2023), then maybe Portugal stands a chance”.
For Engineer Ritch Dodamani, it was a simple case of scoring goals.
“A Portugal side scoreless in two matches facing a France side which has scored just one goal in their last six matches, points to more offensive misery for the Selecao, whose own defence can still expect to hold out for large periods against an equally timid Bleus attack,” Dodamani said.
Businessman Siddarth Chowgule was of the opinion that with both sides displaying similarities in the round of 16, this upcoming quarter-final is set to be another cagey affair - defined by moments of inspiration in the attacking third.
“While this French side have epitomised defensive strength throughout the tournament thus far, we will witness the first true test for the Portuguese defence; in which they can expect reduced possession and much more of a necessity to work hard off the ball,” Chowgule said.
Sudhir Patil another businessman felt that France has a very strong team, but Portugal has the best player in the world right now (Ronaldo). If he is there, they have a chance to win the UEFA European championships. MORE ON PAGE 16))
