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World Cup Qualifying Preview: Portugal - Hungary
The Seleccao come into this game looking for something of a miracle...
10-Oct-2009 12:31:36 AM
Kick-Off: Saturday, October 10, 21:45 CET.
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Make Or Break
When the group draw for the World Cup qualifiers was made, only a few pundits thought that Portugal would have to depend on others to secure a mere place in the play-off stage. But that is exactly what lies ahead for the Euro 2004 runners-up.
The Seleccao currently stand third in the group on 13 points, five behind leaders Denmark and just two behind Sweden, with the Scandinavian sides meeting each other this weekend.
Portugal will have to clinch all three points to keep their qualification hopes alive, always having one eye on the Parken Stadium. Questions remain about whether Denmark and Sweden will actually be serious in that match, taking into account the 2-2 draw at Euro 2004, exactly the only result that would make both sides go through their group.
The boys in red and green have been heavily criticised for their poor performances in the qualifiers, and coach Carlos Queiroz has not been able to find the right formula to kick start their engines just yet.
As a side whose strongest area is the midfield, one would expect plenty of goals from them, but the fact that they have just scored 10 goals in five matches shows their lack of inspiration in the finishing department.
Return To Glory
Hungary have been unable to recapture the glory days of the 1950s, but they could still clinch what they have missed out on since 1986 - a spot in a major competition.
The Magical Magyars are currently sharing the third spot with Portugal, but their worse goal record means they are behind the Seleccao in the table.
These two sides met last on September 9, when Hungary lost 1-0 in a poorly-played match where they looked just happy to let their opponents play. Hungary have lost their last three matches, all of which were played at home, and they will have to get back to winning ways before it is too late.
Although Portugal are heavily favoured for this encounter, Hungary coach Erwin Koeman believes things can be different this time around, and notes his side will give the Seleccao a run for their money.
"The difference between the two teams is big, but we are confident and we will fight for the result," he said at a press conference. "They also have some difficulties. In the match in Budapest, a goal on nine minutes cost us a point. If we reach the half-time break on level terms they may be in trouble."
FORM GUIDE
Portugal
September 9 vs Hungary (A) – WON 1-0 (World Cup qualifier)
September 5 vs Denmark (A) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup qualifier)
August 12 vs Liechtenstein (A) – WON 3-0 (Friendly)
June 10 vs Estonia (A) – DREW 0-0 (Friendly)
June 6 vs Albania (A) – WON 2-1 (Friendly)
Hungary
September 9 vs Portugal (H) – LOST 1-0 (World Cup qualifier)
September 5 vs Sweden (H) – DREW 2-1 (World Cup qualifier)
August 12 vs Romania (H) – LOST 1-0 (Friendly)
April 1 vs Malta (H) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
March 28 vs Albania (A) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
TEAM GUIDE
Portugal
Tiago has been ruled out of the match because of a minor knock, while Pepe will sit this one out due to suspension.
Goalkeepers: Beto, Eduardo, Rui Patrício.
Defenders: Bosingwa, Bruno Alves, Paulo Ferreira, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Rolando, Cesar Peixoto.
Midfielders: Deco, Duda, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Tiago, Nuno Assis, Pedro Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Simao Sabrosa.
Strikers: Liedson, Nuno Gomes, Edinho.
Possible starting XI (4-5-1): Eduardo; Duda, Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves; Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa, Deco, Liedson.
Hungary
Goalkeepers: Gabor Babos, Marton Fulop, Gabor Kiraly.
Defenders: Laszlo Bodnar, Csaba Feher, Roland Juhaz, Gabor Gyepes, Boldizsar Bodor, Miklos Gaal, Norbert Meszaros.
Midfielders: Szabolcs Huszti, Balazs Dzsudzsak, Peter Halmosi Zoltan Gera, Tamas Hajnal , Krisztian Vadocz, Balazs Toth, Pal Dadai, Akos Buzsaky.
Strikers: Sandor Torghelle, Rudolf Gergely, Tamas Priskin.
Possible starting XI (3-5-2): Babos, Gyepes, Juhasz, Gaal, Vadocz, Halmosi, Dzsudzsak, Gera, Hajnal, Torghelle, Priskin.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The Real Madrid star has regained full fitness after missing his club match against Sevilla last weekend, and has vowed to put an end to his dry spell in front of goal.
Balazs Dzsudzsak (Hungary)
The PSV winger was practically the only player from Hungary that tried to find the back of the net against Portugal last month, and he will be looking for a repeat performance on Saturday.
PREDICTION
Portugal have always been a better side when playing under pressure, so they should have the edge here, also taking into account they will be playing at home.
Portugal 1–0 Hungary
Luís Mira, Goal.com
When the group draw for the World Cup qualifiers was made, only a few pundits thought that Portugal would have to depend on others to secure a mere place in the play-off stage. But that is exactly what lies ahead for the Euro 2004 runners-up.
The Seleccao currently stand third in the group on 13 points, five behind leaders Denmark and just two behind Sweden, with the Scandinavian sides meeting each other this weekend.
Portugal will have to clinch all three points to keep their qualification hopes alive, always having one eye on the Parken Stadium. Questions remain about whether Denmark and Sweden will actually be serious in that match, taking into account the 2-2 draw at Euro 2004, exactly the only result that would make both sides go through their group.
The boys in red and green have been heavily criticised for their poor performances in the qualifiers, and coach Carlos Queiroz has not been able to find the right formula to kick start their engines just yet.
As a side whose strongest area is the midfield, one would expect plenty of goals from them, but the fact that they have just scored 10 goals in five matches shows their lack of inspiration in the finishing department.
Return To Glory
Hungary have been unable to recapture the glory days of the 1950s, but they could still clinch what they have missed out on since 1986 - a spot in a major competition.
The Magical Magyars are currently sharing the third spot with Portugal, but their worse goal record means they are behind the Seleccao in the table.
These two sides met last on September 9, when Hungary lost 1-0 in a poorly-played match where they looked just happy to let their opponents play. Hungary have lost their last three matches, all of which were played at home, and they will have to get back to winning ways before it is too late.
Although Portugal are heavily favoured for this encounter, Hungary coach Erwin Koeman believes things can be different this time around, and notes his side will give the Seleccao a run for their money.
"The difference between the two teams is big, but we are confident and we will fight for the result," he said at a press conference. "They also have some difficulties. In the match in Budapest, a goal on nine minutes cost us a point. If we reach the half-time break on level terms they may be in trouble."
FORM GUIDE
Portugal
September 9 vs Hungary (A) – WON 1-0 (World Cup qualifier)
September 5 vs Denmark (A) – DREW 1-1 (World Cup qualifier)
August 12 vs Liechtenstein (A) – WON 3-0 (Friendly)
June 10 vs Estonia (A) – DREW 0-0 (Friendly)
June 6 vs Albania (A) – WON 2-1 (Friendly)
Hungary
September 9 vs Portugal (H) – LOST 1-0 (World Cup qualifier)
September 5 vs Sweden (H) – DREW 2-1 (World Cup qualifier)
August 12 vs Romania (H) – LOST 1-0 (Friendly)
April 1 vs Malta (H) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
March 28 vs Albania (A) – WON 1-0 (Friendly)
TEAM GUIDE
Portugal
Tiago has been ruled out of the match because of a minor knock, while Pepe will sit this one out due to suspension.
Goalkeepers: Beto, Eduardo, Rui Patrício.
Defenders: Bosingwa, Bruno Alves, Paulo Ferreira, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Rolando, Cesar Peixoto.
Midfielders: Deco, Duda, Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Tiago, Nuno Assis, Pedro Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Simao Sabrosa.
Strikers: Liedson, Nuno Gomes, Edinho.
Possible starting XI (4-5-1): Eduardo; Duda, Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves; Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa, Deco, Liedson.
Hungary
Goalkeepers: Gabor Babos, Marton Fulop, Gabor Kiraly.
Defenders: Laszlo Bodnar, Csaba Feher, Roland Juhaz, Gabor Gyepes, Boldizsar Bodor, Miklos Gaal, Norbert Meszaros.
Midfielders: Szabolcs Huszti, Balazs Dzsudzsak, Peter Halmosi Zoltan Gera, Tamas Hajnal , Krisztian Vadocz, Balazs Toth, Pal Dadai, Akos Buzsaky.
Strikers: Sandor Torghelle, Rudolf Gergely, Tamas Priskin.
Possible starting XI (3-5-2): Babos, Gyepes, Juhasz, Gaal, Vadocz, Halmosi, Dzsudzsak, Gera, Hajnal, Torghelle, Priskin.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The Real Madrid star has regained full fitness after missing his club match against Sevilla last weekend, and has vowed to put an end to his dry spell in front of goal.
Balazs Dzsudzsak (Hungary)
The PSV winger was practically the only player from Hungary that tried to find the back of the net against Portugal last month, and he will be looking for a repeat performance on Saturday.
PREDICTION
Portugal have always been a better side when playing under pressure, so they should have the edge here, also taking into account they will be playing at home.
Portugal 1–0 Hungary
Luís Mira, Goal.com
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