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Portugal close to realizing potential
Posted: Tuesday June 27, 2000 12:25 PM
In recent years, Portugal's record at youth level has been nothing short of outstanding. It has won the Under-20 World Cup twice (1989 and 1991), the Under-18 European title twice (1994 and 1999) and the European Under-16 crown three times (1989, 1995 and 1996). The country has been a virtual assembly line of talent, but so far failed to produce the goods at the next level. It hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 1986 and, apart from a quarterfinal exit to the Czech Republic in 1996 (after an excellent first round), failed to make an impression in the European Championships. Just as telling is the fact that even at Under-21 level, which is generally much more competitive, if only because more nations take it seriously, it qualified for the European Championships only once in the 1990s, losing the 1994 final to Italy. Now, however, the Portuguese are the darlings of Euro 2000. They have proven the naysayers dead wrong (including, I will readily admit, myself) and have arguably played the best soccer in the tournament along with France. The doubts still remain. There is a difference between playing well and winning games. If they were one and the same, Brazil would probably have won six World Cups by now. Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, Luis Figo and Sergio Conceicao have been simply outstanding, but their quality was never in doubt. What surprised many have been the performances of Nuno Gomes up front and the way the backline has held together. We knew Nuno Gomes wasn't afraid to mix it up, but few expected him to get the job done at this level. He has averaged 20 goals a season at Benfica over the past four years, but was unproven on the big stage. Instead, he has been the much-needed finisher on a team that creates a lot but has few natural goalscorers. His first goal against Turkey, while apparently simple, was actually a masterpiece of timing, technique and instinct. As for the defense, it has held up well under Jorge Costa's expert guidance. Having said that, whether Portugal can keep it up is another matter. The Portuguese demolished England after conceding two early goals, but the fact remains, you can only get away with spotting the opposition two goals so many times. The game against Romania was only decided by a last-second goal, after the two teams pretty much battled to a stalemate. Portugal was impressive against Germany, but then, it was the Portuguese B team which was on display as coach Humberto Coelho rested seven regulars. Turkey was easily outplayed, but the goals only came after its rock-solid stopper Alpay was sent off on the half-hour in a rather dubious incident. Throw in Arif's missed penalty and the game becomes closer than it looked. The point is that possession, movement and nifty passing are important, but Portugal hasn't quite capitalized on the vast amount it has created. At some point, it could well pay the price.
A sad farewellIt's a pity that one of the purest talents in the history of the game, Gheorghe Hagi, should end his international career with a dive, a vicious tackle on an opponent (Italy's Antonio Conte will be out for the rest of the tournament) and a red card. One game obviously doesn't wipe out a glorious career and it should be remembered that Hagi hit the post earlier with a fabulous moment of intuition and skill. Still, it would have been wonderful if he had left the pitch amidst thunderous applause, not with his head bowed, on his way to the showers. Given what he has done for the game, he deserved a better exit.
Turning the cornerHolland's 6-1 demolition of Yugoslavia was truly a soccer masterpiece. There was little doubt Frank Rijkaard's men could play like that; it was only a question of when we were going to get to see it. Now the trick will be keeping it up against Italy. Many Italians are convinced that a good defense will always stifle a good offense any time. Personally, I don't agree and, if you love attacking soccer, you'll probably want to see Holland Having said that, Italy will not grant Bergkamp and mates the freedom they enjoyed against Yugoslavia. Which is why Patrick Kluivert will be crucial. Ever since he was 18, the critics have drooled over his combination of skill, strength and athleticism. He averages more than a goal every two games for Holland and he has won important trophies at Ajax and Barcelona, but you always got the sense that he had barely scratched the surface of his prodigious talent. His performance against Yugoslavia was out of this world. If he can repeat himself against Italy and in the final, he will be the man of the tournament and perhaps finally begin to fulfill his immense potential.
Mystery wrapped in a riddleGo figure what goes through French goalkeeer Laurent Barthez's head. To some he is a genius, to others a fraud. Against Spain, he made a brilliant save off Raul, but then almost threw it all away by upending Abelardo in the box and giving away a penalty. It matters little whether Abelardo took a tumble or not, Barthez had no business being anywhere near him. The man has his own personal, idiosyncratic style and, so far, it has worked for him. Sooner or later however, it could come back to haunt him. You can only make so many mistakes before you pay the price. London-based Gabriele Marcotti writes a weekly column on international soccer for CNNSI.com. To submit questions or comments to Gabriele Marcotti, click here.
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