Each day between May 10 and the day before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FoxSoccer.com analyst Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event.
Country: Portugal
Nickname: “Selecção das Quinas” (“Team of the Shields” or “Team of the Bezants”); it is a reference to the five shields and/or five dots inside the national team badge.
Portugal today is primarily known as a sleepy Mediterranean tourist destination, with a crowded hub near the Algarve and a dusty, faded grandeur in the capital of Lisbon and elsewhere. Settled originally by the Celts in the 700s, Portugal was occupied by Romans, Phoencians, Greeks and Moors, all of whom left their imprint on the country.
Portugal was once a world power, with a vast empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. But the country was laid low with the 1755 destruction of Lisbon by an earthquake and subsequent occupation during the Napoleonic Wars.
Portugal was ruled with an iron fist by dictator Antonio de Salazar from 1926 until 1968 (when he suffered a brain hemorrhage after falling off a chair, if you can believe it), a period that saw Portugal lose many of its top minds abroad due to political persecution at home. In 1974, another military coup -- this time a left-wing one -- succeeded in installing broad democratic reforms, including the shedding of its African colonies.
Portugal is a founding member of NATO and has joined the EU. The country, however, is hampered by the EU's strict financial controls and has had great difficulty overhauling its business structure.
Portuguese football has not been insulated from these troubles. Just prior to 2004, 16 referees and football executives, including the chairman of the country's league, were arrested in a corruption scandal dubbed “Operation Golden Whistle.” Currently, Portuguese football is in decline. Despite some great individual players, the sum of the parts is less than the whole.
PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS: Despite a long tradition, this is only Portugal's fifth visit. Led by the great Eusebio, still the country's soccer icon, they finished third in their first visit to the World Cup finals in England in 1966. In 1986, the Portuguese packed their bags after the first round despite a win against England. The same fate awaited them in 2002, when they famously lost to the U.S. and never recovered. In 2006, they rebounded to finish fourth, losing 3-1 to Germany.
REGIONAL SUCCESS: Hosts of the European Championships in 2004, Portugal somehow lost in the finals to Greece. Prior to that, they'd reached the semis twice (1984,2000) and most recently reached the quarters in 2008.
LEAGUE OVERVIEW: Portugal is a poorer European country, and despite having some great names in their league -- Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting -- cannot always attract top talents. That said, Portugal has a long track record of success in European competition with FC Porto winning the Champions League as recently as 2004.
MANAGER: Carlos Queiroz. American fans will know Queiroz (pronounced “keer-OHshh”) well for his spell at the MetroStars, his abrupt withdrawal from consideration for the U.S. national team job, and his famous report on American soccer. He is best known as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, where the gaffer himself credited Queiroz with integrating some top foreign players into a winning side. Odd factoid: American college coach Dan Gaspar is once again with the team, prepping their 'keepers.
KEY PLAYERS: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) is the obvious No. 1. He's one of the world's top players and is both a key playmaker and scorer. Deadly whenever he has the ball, he can take over a game. Deco (Chelsea) is showing his age (32), and it's unclear what Chelsea's season will have taken out of him, but he's still a gifted playmaker with experience and guile. The gamble is on center back Pepe (Real Madrid), who is currently rehabbing from injury. They need him. Though he is on the preliminary roster, it's not clear whether he'll be fit. Nani (Manchester United) had a fabulous year for United, and his speed and scoring ability make him the player to watch. Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea) is their rock in the middle, but age and injury have hampered him.
FIFA RANKINGS: 3rd. High. In fact, this is their highest ranking ever. Lowest was 43rd (1998)
FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS: Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire, North Korea
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST BRAZIL: They share a language, a history, and as a result, a lot of meetings. In their 18 matches -- dating back to 1956 -- Brazil has dominated, winning 12 times with just four losses. However, in the one World Cup meeting, back in 1966, the Ports beat Brazil 3-1 in the first round. Most recently, Brazil whipped Portugal 6-2 at Gama in an exhibition.
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST COTE D’IVOIRE: Portugal has never played Les Elephants.
HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST NORTH KOREA: Portugal famously recovered in the 1966 World Cup quarters to beat the North Koreans 5-3. That comeback cemented the reputation of the now-legendary Eusebio, who scored four goals in the match.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: By the skin of their teeth. Portugal was held scoreless twice by Sweden and lost once to the Danes. The Danes won the group, sending Portugal to a playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they easily won, 2-0 over two legs.
PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO PROGRESS: 35%. They can get out of the group, but it will be tough. This isn't the best Portugal team. They rely far too much on Cristiano Ronaldo, and while they should whip North Korea, they are going to have a tough time with Ivory Coast and Brazil.
TO WATCH: Portugal lacks experience in goal and has real questions on defense. They can be picked apart. See if Gaspar has the guys in the net ticking over and watch to see if a 50% Pepe is good enough.
ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (FC Braga), Beto (FC Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Duda (Malaga), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel Brito (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Rolando (FC Porto), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Ricardo Costa (Lille)
Midfielders: Deco (Chelsea), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Eliseu (Zaragoza), Joao Moutinho (Sporting Lisbon), Manuel Fernandes (Valencia), Ruben Amorim (Benfica)
Forwards: Nani (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Danny (Zenit St. Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Makukula (Kayserispor)
TOMORROW'S TEAM: South Africa
