Preview: Portugal vs. Netherlands

June 25th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

GAME DETAILS
Netherlands vs. Portugal, Nuremberg, 21:00 CET
Travel to Nuremberg
Bet on Netherlands vs. Portugal (UK Bets Here)
World Cup Gear: Netherlands | Portugal

THE BIG PICTURE
Portugal had a relatively easy time in Group D, winning all three of their matches while only yielding one goal. Today they face their biggest challenge, taking on a Dutch team that more than held its own in the Group of Death. Both teams rested key players in their final group play matches and will be at full strength for this tilt. The last time Netherlands lost in a major competition was when they were beaten by Portugal in Euro 2004.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers; name, caps, goals, coach

Portugal (4-5-1): 1-Ricardo (52-0); 13-Miguel (31-1), 16-Ricardo Carvalho (27-1), 5-Fernando Meira (33-2), 14-Nuno Valente (25-1); 6-Costinha (46-2), 18-Maniche (34-5) 7-Luis Figo (123-32), 20-Deco (36-3), 17-Cristiano Ronaldo (34-12); 9-Pauleta (84-47) Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Netherlands (4-3-3): 1-Edwin van der Sar (112-0); 3-Khalid Boulahrouz (14-0), 13-Andre Ooijer (22-2), 4-Joris Mathijsen (10-0), 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst (59-3); 18-Mark van Bommel (39-7), 20-Wesley Sneijder (26-5), 8-Philip Cocu (100-10); 17-Robin van Persie (13-2), 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy (54-28), 11-Arjen Robben (22-7) Coach: Marco van Basten

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Netherlands vs. Portugal LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Netherlands

About 30% of all Dutch babies are born at home.

After Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers.

The Netherlands’ highest point is 323 metres high and is therefore called a “mountain”.

Netherlands Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy a Netherlands jersey to support the team

Portugal

The westernmost point in continental Europe is Cabo de Rocha, Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan.

The world’s earliest recorded balloon was a hot air model invented by Father Bartolomeu de Gusmão (né Lourenço), which was flown indoors at the Casa da India, Terreiro do Paço (better known as Praça do Comércio) in Lisbon on 8 August, 1709. He later ran away to Spain for fear of being accused of performing black magic by the Inquisition.

Portugal Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy a Portugal jersey to support the team

TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
Netherlands Team Blog
Portugal Team Blog

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Comments

By Trent | June 25th, 2006 at 2:31 pm

“Cristiano Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan.”? Holy smokes.

Wikipedia says it’s because RR was CR’s dad’s favorite actor(!).

Some days, everything just falls into place and life really makes so much sense.

By Keyser | June 25th, 2006 at 4:00 pm

No matter how much Ronald Ronaldo complains, portugal is loosing this one. NED 3-1 POR.

By Deviilz. | June 25th, 2006 at 4:18 pm

the odds from my bookies :
Ned to win by a goal margin within 90mins.
Possible..?

Posted from Malaysia

By Welsh | June 25th, 2006 at 8:29 pm

I am a fan of dutch football and would like them to win not only the game also the WC. But, as I see it this Portugal team is too strong for them, we have not seen the full potential of the Portugese team yet. Argentina did not push the dutch as required, because they were playing for the tie; the only team that did was the Ivory Coast, but were unlucky not to win because of the ref as we all know it by now. Today is the real test and if they win convincengly then they are going all the way, but I have my doubts since they are playing another European team I don’t think the ref will interfere this time.

Posted from United States

By Hernan | June 25th, 2006 at 8:31 pm

Portugal will win….and you can write that on stone.

Posted from United States

By futbol | June 25th, 2006 at 8:53 pm

So far I have not see any team that truly stands out like the Brazil ‘82 team (Zico, Falcao, Socrates et al). I truly miss that team even it lost to Italy (Paulo Rossi)

Posted from United States

By Jessica | June 26th, 2006 at 3:52 am

OMFG!! CRISTIANO RONALDO IS THE HOTTEST OF THEM AALL..(PORTUGAL)….AND I’M HECKA SAD HE GOT [[HURT]]….I WISH I COULD OF BEEN THERE…I’LL DO ANYTHING TO GET TO MEET HIM BUT OH WELL I GUESS SOME WHISHES ARE NOT TO COME TRUE…BUTT THANK GOD PORTUGAL WON!!