tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 14, 2011 11:45:03 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 14, 2011 11:45:03 GMT -5
No one else watching? We're through to the semis after beating Argentina in a dramatic pk shootout, after we missed 2. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMgf0HSz20Fantastic stops frim Mika and amazing that our young guys we're able to keep their composure against Andrada, who was spectacular. I like this team. It's been getting better each game and yesterday they put in a gutsy performance.
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U-20s
Aug 15, 2011 10:39:37 GMT -5
Post by ograndetrinco on Aug 15, 2011 10:39:37 GMT -5
Nope, but I will be watching now. Thanks for the info.
5 games, 3 goals scored, 0 conceded. The stats don't indicate much excitement.
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tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 15, 2011 12:09:47 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 15, 2011 12:09:47 GMT -5
Yes, the goal front has been our old nightmare. All build up with no end product.
We drew France, one of our bogey teams at the senior level. Game is on Wednesday.
Forca Portugal!
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axp
Junior Player
Posts: 147
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U-20s
Aug 15, 2011 13:57:19 GMT -5
Post by axp on Aug 15, 2011 13:57:19 GMT -5
Eng66 has been providing running commentaries on Facebook
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U-20s
Aug 16, 2011 7:42:28 GMT -5
Post by penguin on Aug 16, 2011 7:42:28 GMT -5
I started to have this argument with Eng66 on facebook, but I'll be bring it here. While it's great they've gotten to the Semifinals, they've played awful football. This coach is a Querioz clone who has them playing like Greece circa '04. He puts out 3 trincos in midfield who do nothing but beat the crap out of people and can't string 3 passes together. Had the 4 best teams in this tournament not been in the upper half of the draw (Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia), they never would have made it this far.
That being said, there is some very good talent on this team that I like. The goalie looks promising, though it's a shame he's going to rot on Benfica's bench for the next few years. I like the 2 Sporting kids in defense - Cedric (RB) and Nuno Reis (captain, CB). I can see them being long term replacements for Carrico and Joao Pereira. Upfront, I like Nelson Oliveira and Caetano. Oliveira might be the best overall talent on this team and our next great hope as a striker. I wonder if Jesus is going to keep him on the roster or loan him out. Caetano is a combination of Rui Barros & JVP. I can't understand how Porto released him.
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tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 16, 2011 8:56:01 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 16, 2011 8:56:01 GMT -5
Oliveira? Really? Can't say I've liked his performance so far. He looks skilled, but goes down like a house of cards at the slightest (imaginary) contact. Type of player that gives Portuguese football a bad name.
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U-20s
Aug 16, 2011 10:54:11 GMT -5
Post by penguin on Aug 16, 2011 10:54:11 GMT -5
His flopping is probably more tacitcal than anything; better for him to draw a free kick than to try taking on 4 defenders all by himself. Oliveira and Caetano are constantly on an island by themselves. You would see him in a different light if he actually got support from his midfield.
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tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 16, 2011 14:46:17 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 16, 2011 14:46:17 GMT -5
I can see that...but hopefully he draws more free kicks and not cards. We could learn something from the Italians when it comes to artfully effective diving.
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axp
Junior Player
Posts: 147
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U-20s
Aug 16, 2011 17:07:39 GMT -5
Post by axp on Aug 16, 2011 17:07:39 GMT -5
I started to have this argument with Eng66 on facebook, but I'll be bring it here. While it's great they've gotten to the Semifinals, they've played awful football. This coach is a Querioz clone who has them playing like Greece circa '04. He puts out 3 trincos in midfield who do nothing but beat the crap out of people and can't string 3 passes together. Had the 4 best teams in this tournament not been in the upper half of the draw (Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia), they never would have made it this far. If your concern is this haphazard run turning into a better job Vale, then I think its fair; but I have little confidence in this team going far playing a balanced style. I'm not too concerned about player development. IMO, these tourneys are like a televised summer camp. So knuckle drag it up. France will be interesting. They showed some mental toughness in extratime vs. Cameroon; but that tying goal began with an abomination in marking. They then gave Cameroon life in XT with the 2nd goal.
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U-20s
Aug 17, 2011 10:39:21 GMT -5
Post by ograndetrinco on Aug 17, 2011 10:39:21 GMT -5
I can see that...but hopefully he draws more free kicks and not cards. We could learn something from the Italians when it comes to artfully effective diving. Hear, Hear! As for the tournament, the comments are disheartening, but I will watch tonight (TLN for the Canadians). At this age, it's about getting some big/stress filled matches under their belts, so regardless of criticisms of style or coach, playing in the final will make tournament a success. FORCA PORTUGAL
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tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 17, 2011 18:18:02 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 17, 2011 18:18:02 GMT -5
Ummm
These kids are playing a huge game. Danilo has been monster
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axp
Junior Player
Posts: 147
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U-20s
Aug 17, 2011 19:02:44 GMT -5
Post by axp on Aug 17, 2011 19:02:44 GMT -5
Not the same French team from the weekend. Very glad to see that.
Mika had a great finish to the game. Made some big saves.
Looking forward to watching Mexico - Brazil. Mexico could wrap up an impressive summer if they pull this tournament off (U-17 world title and Gold Cup).
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U-20s
Aug 18, 2011 9:03:34 GMT -5
Post by ograndetrinco on Aug 18, 2011 9:03:34 GMT -5
Portugal look terrible offensively, granted with the goal lead, they caged the game even more and played 4-5-1-0...the GK was great, and there were a few bright spots on the team, but this team is in the final on determination, luck, draw, whatever, ...not pure skill.
Brazil on the other hand look fierce, precise, fast tempo, in sync, skillfull.... etc.etc.etc.
Good luck boys, FORCA PORTUGAL
Should they win, what would this team be called, the "Iron Ore Generation"
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tinto
Youth Player
Posts: 76
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U-20s
Aug 18, 2011 9:04:09 GMT -5
Post by tinto on Aug 18, 2011 9:04:09 GMT -5
So we have ourselves a Portuguese-speaking final.
I didn't catch any of Brazil's games. Opinions about the team would be welcome. How do we match up?
Yesterday's performance by our team was really great. Yes, France made many defensive blunders, the pk call was questionable and we were lucky on several occasions, but on the other hand, you can see the confidence growing in this team from game to game. Nuno Reis has fulfilled the Captain's role admirably. I wish the senior seleccao had his like. Danilo was MoM
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U-20s
Aug 18, 2011 13:53:37 GMT -5
Post by pila on Aug 18, 2011 13:53:37 GMT -5
This is the scrappiest team I've ever seen. Terrible distribution, but they do know how to frustrate an opponent. How the hell did we become the 90's version of Italy? How exactly has this happened?
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