PREVIEW – Portugal v Ghana
Portugal and Ghana’s futures in this World Cup are reliant on a win here, and a win for Germany in the other Group G match against the USA. While both have failed to live up to expectations it’s Portugal who have most people talking with their lacklustre effort against Germany which ended in a 4 nil defeat. This followed up by a 95th minute draw against the USA courtesy of a stunning Varela headed goal has the Iberian nation still in content by the tips of their fingernails.
Ghana has the best chance out of these two teams to make it through to the last 16. If Germany beat the USA by 1 goal and Ghana beat Portugal by 2 then Ghana go through or If Germany win by 2 plus goals Ghana will only need to beat Portugal to make it to the Round of 16.
The path for Portugal to progress however is substantially harder. If Germany defeat the USA by one goal Portugal will have to beat the Black Stars by 4 goals or more to make it into the Round of 16. They will be hoping that the Germans can find similar goalscoring form that they showed in their opening match because if Germany wins by 4 goals then Portugal would only need to win to go through.
Portugal has been plagued with injuries and Paulo Bento will be without first choice goalkeeper Rui Patricio as well as defenders Fabio Coentrao and Andre Almeida. To make things worse Portugal will be without their first and second string strikers Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga making a near impossible task even more unlikely. In better news for the Portugal, key defender Pepe will return after missing the USA match after his reckless header on Germany’s Thomas Muller.
As for Ghana their starting eleven should be close to the one that ran out against Germany in their last match where they earned a solid point in a match that many felt they were unlucky not to win. The only likely change will be to key midfielder Sulley Muntari who is the heartbeat of this African team. The Milan midfielders holding role will most probably be taken by his Milan teammate Michael Essien.
Ghana’s manager Kwesi Appiah is adamant that his side has the ability to beat a wounded Portugal side in order to progress to a second round match against the winners of Group H. Going forward Ghana are deadly with captain Asamoah Gyan the talisman for a side featuring the offensive flair of the Ayew brothers as well as Chelsea’s Christian Atsu.
For Portugal it will be about scoring goals, something they have thus far struggled to do. Portugal have not had a world class striker since the days of Eusebio and the injuries to Bento’s two preferred strikers could well prove to be a real conundrum. If Portugal is to score the goals that they need, wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani will both have to be firing. The Real Madrid star has been more miss than hit in the opening two matches but an inspiring effort here could further enhance his status as the world’s best.
As for Nani it is vital for him to be playing at his very rarely seen best. If he is able to be an outlet that provides a consistent threat down the right hand flank it will balance out the side that tends to play down Ronaldo’s left hand side.
The other problem that Portugal will have is their defence which has already lost its two left backs meaning that either midfielder Miguel Veloso or Ricardo Costa will need to become the makeshift left back for this match. Pepe returning is a bonus but he and his partner Bruno Alves are not the quickest which could be a real problem against a pacey Ghanaian attack. Beto in goals may be a Europa League winner but he is less than convincing in between the sticks.
Probable line ups
Portugal (4-3-3)
Beto
Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Veloso
Carvalho, Moutinho, Meireles
Nani, Varela, Ronaldo
Ghana (4-2-3-1)
Dauda
Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah
Essien, Rabiu
A.Ayew, Boateng, Atsu
Gyan
Key Players
Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani
Ghana – Kevin Prince Boateng and Jonathan Mensah
This will be a a good game for the neutrals as both teams will be looking to score goals. My heart says that Portugal will win this match but it has said that for the last two games. Player for player Portugal are the better team and if Ronaldo and Nani can play even at 90% Portugal should be able to come out of this game with a 2 or 3 goal victory.
The two things Ghana will aim to exploit is the slow Portugal defenders as well as the leftback whether it be Veloso or Costa. If they can successfully do these two things then I can see them grabbing a handful of goals themselves which could send Portugal packing.
In the case of a draw it would be all over for these two teams.
Score Prediction
Portugal 4 Ghana 3
The action kicks off at 2 am on SBS so make sure you are positioned in front of a television in what could be a miraculous match.
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