Portugal and Brazil reach second round after goalless draw

June 25, 2010 - PRLog -- The game, held in Durban’s spectacular Moses Mabhida Stadium, was expected to be relatively low key, but had in the first half the intensity of a decisive match, with many fouls, some of them hard, ending the first 45 minutes with seven yellow cards, even despite the fact that Brazil was already qualified and Portugal was coming into the match with a huge advantage in goal difference over Ivory Coast, which practically guaranteed its spot in the round of 16 even with a loss.

In the second half, the teams calmed down and slowed down their play, especially in the final 15 minutes, earning them some whistles from the stands.

With this result, Portugal made it 19 games in a row without losing, matching a previous record, and finished the eighth official game without suffering a goal.

Just as he had announced the previous day, Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, did not spare the “yellow carded” Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal captain, but made some tactical changes, given the way Brazil play.

He made four changes to the team that played North Korea; Ricardo Costa was placed as the right back, in place of Miguel. Queiroz gave Pepe an opportunity in the center, while putting Duda and Danny in the wings, moving Cristiano Ronaldo to the middle up front.
When Portugal defended the team positioned themselves at 4-5-1, with clear concerns for the Brazilian wings, with C Ronaldo the only man up front, while Danny and Duda advancing when the team had the ball.

With more ball possession, Brazil was getting closer to the area, but without great danger, while Portugal depended heavily on incursions by Fábio Coentrão, responsible for the two most dangerous crosses by the “Selecção das Quinas” in the first half.

In a very intense game with some hard fouls, the first opportunity for goal came only at 30 minutes after the first Portugal defensive error that allowed Brazil striker Nilmar to appear alone at the far post, but a great save by keeper Eduardo, deflected the ball onto the right post.

In response, Portugal could also have created danger, but Danny and Tiago in a good position, did not shoot at goal defended by Júlio César.

At 39 minutes the Portuguese defense again gave lots of room to the advancing Brazilians, with Luis Fabiano in the middle of Ricardo Costa and Ricardo Carvalho shooting slightly to the side.

Just before the interval, Brazilian coach Carlos Dunga, replaced Felipe Melo, who had just seen a yellow card after a very hard entry on Pepe, serving as “revenge” to a previous misunderstanding between both players.

In the second half, the tempo dropped dramatically as well as the intensity of the players, with Portugal having the first two good chances to score, both by Cristiano Ronaldo.

At 48 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo isolated himself and tried to offer a goal to Danny, but Lúcio was there to cut the dangerous pass. The same Lúcio would cut another dangerous Ronaldo play, with the ball ending up with Meireles who shot at goal, but César prevented the ball entering the net.

Portugal keeper Eduardo shone again in discount time, when a shot by Ramires, deflected off the back of Bruno Alves, forcing a brilliant save.

It seems that Cristiano Ronaldo still hasn’t got it right with the new Jabulani ball, since all his famous free kicks are still missing their target by a long shot.

Brazil ended in front of Group G with seven points, two more than Portugal. Ivory Coast, which beat North Korea 3-0, was third with four points, while the North Koreans ended with zero.

Portugal will play next Tuesday against Spain, who finished first in their Group E, while on Monday Brazil will take on Chile placed second behind Spain.

More news and information about Cristiano Ronaldo can be found at: http://www.cristianoronaldoportugal.com

# # #

This website was made to bring you news and information about Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal captain and Real Madrid football star, the Spanish League Championship games as well as the 2010 World Cup where he will be playing from 11 June and hopefully till 11 July 2010.