It ain't no thing but an Armenian Wing

Date: November 17th, 2007
Time: 9pm (local time)
Place : Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal

Portugal has a date with destiny this Saturday, playing the first of two crucial matches that will determine their 4th consecutive presence in a European Cup. Portugal faces Armenia before a sold out crowd in Leiria. Armenia is currently out of the running as far as qualification goes, 6th in the group. Their coach told the media today that they will play to leave a good image and to possibly surprise the Portuguese side once again. Portugal traveled to Armenia this past August and tied the Armenian side, in one of Portugal's worst performances of qualifying. This time Portugal plays before their home fans in a pitch that will be in far better conditions than the bumpy pitch they had to play in Armenia. This is a total different Portugal team from the team that traveled to Armenia, not in the personnel aspect of it, but because most players had just began their club seasons and lacked competitive rhythm and still showed some rustiness.

My Projected 11
Ricardo
Bosingwa - Meira - Alves - Caneira
Veloso - Maniche
Quaresma-Simao - Ronaldo
Hugo Almeida

Bosingwa, Meira, Caneira and Alves have started in most of their club team games and are rolling on all cylinders. Veloso has been an important member of Sporting and is currently going through one of the best years of his short career as a senior. Maniche seems to have earned his spot at Atletico de Madrid, a spot that wasn't always his last season. Quaresma has also been the man at Porto, while Simao is taking a little bit to break into the start studded Atletico de Madrid starting 11, but he's at a very good level. Cristiano Ronaldo has been blazing the Premiership and has hit full stride for Manchester United, being an instrumental for their success so far. Almeida is presently the most productive Portuguese forward, having scored 7 goals in 12 games for his club Werder Bremen. A very different squad from August, form wise.

Keys to the game
Quick Start -Portugal needs to go right at the Armenian side and control the game. An early goal will relieve some of the pressure and will allow the Portuguese to play their game.

Simao - Simao will be playing in a crucial position, while Deco's style is very different and mostly focus on the passing game, Simao can provide quickness and will very easily integrate into the attacking line. But how will Portugal adapt to Simao's game and playing style in the middle?

Quaresma and Ronaldo - Both wingers need to be on their best devilish behavior, crossing opposing defender's eyes with fast footwork while creating mismatches to free up marked players.
Stopping the Armenian Counter - The Armenian team will definitely play on the counter and hope they can surprise the all out attacking Portuguese side. Portugal's midfield need to close Armenia's transition quickly and both Bosingwa and Caneira should not allow any type of wing play from the Armenians and should shut down quick and high up on the field.

Portugal needs to win the game and i think that's what they will come out and do from the start.
I'm predicting 3-0 Portugal