England – Not surprisingly Gary Neville returns and Owen Hargreaves moves back to a holding role in midfield and Michael Carrick, unluckily, has to make way and is on the bench.
Neville should provide England with better options down the right side and the only issue is how sharp he will be after missing three games. Ashley Cole has played his way back to match fitness and look for him to link up with Joe Cole on the left. Is this the game where Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both play well at the same time and will Lampard get a goal or even two.
For England it’s important that Rooney gets support and is not left isolated.
Portugal suspension and injury problems have been in midfield and the back four is not a surprise. Carvalho as played well and Meira has looked decent as well. Miguel has been outstanding at right back and the match-up against the Cole boys will be worth watching. It looks like big Phil is going to anchor the midfield with Petit and Tiago.
The interesting part of the selection is Maniche and where he will play. It seems that there are three options, (a) ask him to play in a midfield bank of three with Tiago and Petit with Figo and Ronaldo tucking in to support Pauleta, (b) Maniche taking over the Deco role with Figo and Ronaldo wide or (c) Figo in the Deco role with Maniche a bit wider on the right than normal and Ronaldo on the left. Option A is the most interesting as it would change the shape that Portugal has normally played under Scolari.
I guess we will find out in a few minutes.
As for a prediction – if Costinha and Deco were playing it would be extremely difficult to pick between the two teams. But there are not Playing so I am going for England 2-1.
This looks like it is going be a long (at least) 45 minutes for Portugal – the Dutch have their tails up. Portugal needs to slow this one down and keep possession for an extended period.
Costinha’s red card was dumb – Costinha’s action not the referee’s.
Van der Vaart in for Mathijsen – Cocu will probably drop back.
The Miguel vs. Robben battle is a well-matched affair. I don’t think I have see a better right back than Miguel at this World Cup so far. It’s interesting how Portugal is defending Robben. It looks as if Miguel is being given free rein to nip in front of Robben when a pass is delivered with Carvalho tucking in behind in case it fails.
Gabriele Marcotti described Pauleta as possessing the mobility of Ayers Rock in an article yesterday – cruel but perhaps more than an element of truth.
The Dutch have gone with three at the back and four in midfield to match the Portuguese midfield.
What a cracking wee player Maniche is. He arrives late in the box and creates a little bit of room for himself then hit a rocket beyond EvdS.
It looks to me as if Big Phil is playing Deco on van Bronkhorst from time to time. I thought Gio was a very decent midfield player but I have never found him to be a convincing full back.
How many countries that can replace someone like Ronaldo with Simao? What a great run from van Persie about 8 minutes from half time.
Costinha is fortunate to be still on the field – others referees would have cheerfully given him a second yellow card. Re-write this piece. He’s gone this time – he was red card waiting to happen.
A fantastic save by EvdS off Pauleta just on half time. That save kept Holland in with a shot in this game. The chance came from the left side of the Dutch defense again.
With Portugal down to 10 men this game is finely balanced.
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