- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Portugal training
- Date: 25th June 2010
- Summary: MAGALIESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 24, 2010) (REUTERS) CRISTIANO RONALDO AND PLAYERS RONALDO FABIO COENTRAO (LEFT IN PICTURE) AND BRUNO ALVES RONALDO HEADING THE BALL VARIOUS OF TEAM TRAINING TRAINER CARLOS QUEIROZ TEAM TRAINING WITH HILLS IN BACKGROUND TEAM WARMING UP RONALDO RUNNING VARIOUS OF DECO RUNNING SEPARATE FROM THE TEAM DUE TO INJURY GOALKEEPERS TRAINING VARIOUS OF TEAM TRAINING
- Embargoed: 10th July 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA2M1PBK1Z73CA3NB7HU3MODABA
- Story Text: Pride not pragmatism will be the watchword when soccer powerhouses Brazil and Portugal meet in a mouthwatering World Cup clash on Friday (1400gmt) to decide the winners of Group G.
Although whoever tops the group could meet Spain in the second round, any suggestion that either side might connive to avoid the European champions has received short shrift.
Unlike the Brazilians, who have two wins, the Portuguese could still mathematically be overhauled by the Ivorians for a last 16 spot despite Monday's 7-0 drubbing of North Korea.
That is highly unlikely given the nine-goal swing that would be required for Ivory Coast to catch Portugal assuming they beat North Korea and the Portuguese lose to Brazil.
Any thoughts of Portugal playing for the draw that would guarantee their progress will, however, be tempered by the memory of the 6-2 thrashing they got in their last meeting with the five-times world champions in a 2008 friendly.
Thrashing North Korea on Monday transformed Portugal's World Cup prospects after an opening draw with Ivory Coast and coach Carlos Queiroz is likely to start with the same lineup.
Deco, one of three Brazilian-born players in the Portuguese squad, might offer Queiroz an extra option if he has recovered from a hip injury but Tiago's fine form should secure his place after he scored twice against the Asian side.
Another boost in Cape Town was Cristiano Ronaldo breaking a two-year goal drought in competitive internationals, admittedly with the rather fortunate sixth goal. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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