Portugal friendly with Cape Verde 0 - 0
Portugal and Cape Verde played out a frustrating 0-0 stalemate, which brings a wave of red flags ahead of the World Cup.
The Portuguese entered the game showing their attacking intent, but every time they got close to Cape Verde's goal, it was only with modest danger.
Portugal had their first chance on goal 18 minutes into the game, when Pedro Mendes picked up the ball outside the area and tried his luck from distance, but his shot was punched away by Fock and Semedo chested the ball down for his 'keeper to grab.
Eight minutes later, Fabio Coentrao, who was given his first starting chance at senior level, whipped in a cross but Liedson's header went slightly wide of the goal.
The Seleccao were clearly in the driving seat, and they almost scored in the 31st minute, when Nani combined well with Deco before powering a low drive from inside the box which Fock was forced to parry away.
Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz was visibly unhappy with what he was seeing, and Cape Verde gained momentum in the latter stages of the first half, with their supporters shouting 'Ole' every time their players exchanged passes.
The second half followed the same trend, with Portugal having much more possession but being unable to capitalise on their superiority, as they produced a dangerous chance for the first time in the 62nd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball near the top of the area from Hugo Almeida and shot first time for Fock to punch away.
The despair among the Portuguese players was noticeable two minutes later, when a cross from the left found Ronaldo, who sent the ball against the bar with his hand, receiving a yellow card in response.
Portugal were forced to play the last 20 minutes of the match with just 10 men as Tiago, who had come on just 15 minutes before, picked up an injury, leaving Queiroz with no other options as the permitted six substitutions had already been made.
Shortly later, the referee blew his whistle for full time, with no more chances on goal from either side. Portugal, who will meet Brazil, North Korea and the Ivory Coast in South Africa, continue to look out of shape. Their next friendly is scheduled for June 1, against Cameroon.
by Luis Mira in Goal.com
The Portuguese entered the game showing their attacking intent, but every time they got close to Cape Verde's goal, it was only with modest danger.
Portugal had their first chance on goal 18 minutes into the game, when Pedro Mendes picked up the ball outside the area and tried his luck from distance, but his shot was punched away by Fock and Semedo chested the ball down for his 'keeper to grab.
Eight minutes later, Fabio Coentrao, who was given his first starting chance at senior level, whipped in a cross but Liedson's header went slightly wide of the goal.
The Seleccao were clearly in the driving seat, and they almost scored in the 31st minute, when Nani combined well with Deco before powering a low drive from inside the box which Fock was forced to parry away.
Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz was visibly unhappy with what he was seeing, and Cape Verde gained momentum in the latter stages of the first half, with their supporters shouting 'Ole' every time their players exchanged passes.
The second half followed the same trend, with Portugal having much more possession but being unable to capitalise on their superiority, as they produced a dangerous chance for the first time in the 62nd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball near the top of the area from Hugo Almeida and shot first time for Fock to punch away.
The despair among the Portuguese players was noticeable two minutes later, when a cross from the left found Ronaldo, who sent the ball against the bar with his hand, receiving a yellow card in response.
Portugal were forced to play the last 20 minutes of the match with just 10 men as Tiago, who had come on just 15 minutes before, picked up an injury, leaving Queiroz with no other options as the permitted six substitutions had already been made.
Shortly later, the referee blew his whistle for full time, with no more chances on goal from either side. Portugal, who will meet Brazil, North Korea and the Ivory Coast in South Africa, continue to look out of shape. Their next friendly is scheduled for June 1, against Cameroon.
by Luis Mira in Goal.com
Posts
No comments
Post a Comment