PORTUGAL vs. GHANA
Date: June 26, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A
Last Match: N/A
Line: Portugal +110
Group G Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Portugal (4th), Ghana (37th)
Managers: Paulo Bento (POR), James Kwesi Appiah (GHA)
Captains: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Asamoah Gyan (GHA)
World Cup Appearances: 6 (POR), 3 (GHA)
Best Finish: Portugal (Third Place, 1966), Ghana (Quarterfinals, 2010)
Qualifying Records: Portugal (8-1-3, GF: 24, GA: 11), Ghana (6-2-0, GF: 25, GA: 6)
Previous Game Results
Portugal
Ghana
June 16th - USA def. Ghana 2-1
June 21st - Germany tied Ghana 2-2
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Ghana: Kevin-Prince Boateng (Suspended by Team), Sulley Muntari (Suspended - Card Accumulation, SENT HOME), Daniel Opare (Doubtful - Leg), Mohammed Rabiu (Yellow Card)
Overview
A must-win game for both teams if either wants to continue their journey in the 2014 World Cup. While Portugal have been seen as a team in disarray all tournament, reports coming out this morning suggest that Ghana is an even bigger mess.
Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari have both left the Ghana team, and not necessarily by choice from the sounds of things. Boateng has apparently been verbally sparring with their manager Kwesi Appiah over selection concerns, and Muntari apparently physically assaulted a Ghanaian staffer over unpaid bonuses. These are still rumours but neither play will have any part in this tournament going forward.
Muntari was suspended for this game anyway due to an accumulation of cards. Boateng is a key player for Ghana but they are loaded in attacking players that can supplant him up front. Biggest concern for Ghana in this game is their mental state. I can imagine the Ghana FA wants to keep as tight a lid on this as possible so its not known what the state of team morale or chemistry is. Stories like this are never a good sign in a tournament though (see: 2010 France).
Portugal's personnel troubles are known and are based on injury. Fabio Coentrao is still out. Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga are both doubtful and Beto may again see time in goal in place of Rui Patricio. That says nothing to the health of Cristiano Ronaldo who Portugal claim is 100% fit.
Won't even attempt to analyze formations until they come out with so many injuries/suspensions. Keys to the game will be the wing play. Ghana love to press high and attack the outside of the pitch before cutting towards goal. Portugal meanwhile like to counter-attack the flanks with Ronaldo and Nani. Expect a fast-paced back-and-forth contest in this one.
Personnel
In the Portuguese Third: Pepe is back from suspension which should bolster Portugal's defence. Even without Boateng and Muntari though, this is a scary offensive front to play against. Atsu and Andre Ayew have terrorized full backs throughout this tournament and Asamoah Gyan up front is one of the top target men around. Portugal have surrendered 6 goals so far this tournament, and will be hard pressed to contain this Ghanian front 4. Advantage: Ghana.
In the Midfield:Interesting question. Both teams love to counter-attack as the focal point of their offences. Difference in terms of pressure though, Portugal content to sit back and defend while Ghana love the high press. Can Ghana press Portugal without exploiting them to fast breaks? And can Portugal counter-attack against Ghana's speed? Advantage: Ghana, only because of the speed advantage.
In the Ghanaian Third: Ghana have some quality full backs but this is a weak central defence pairing. Eder is likely to start up front for Portugal and is the least experienced of the Portugal strikers, but Ronaldo, Nani and Moutinho among others can provide enough pressure themselves to cause Ghana concern. Advantage: Portugal.
Goalkeeping: Through 4 games, 4 different goalkeepers have played for these teams. I would imagine Dauda gets the call for Ghana on strength of his showing against Germany. For Portugal, depends entirely if Rui Patricio is healthy or not. Who knows? Advantage: Incomplete
Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari have both left the Ghana team, and not necessarily by choice from the sounds of things. Boateng has apparently been verbally sparring with their manager Kwesi Appiah over selection concerns, and Muntari apparently physically assaulted a Ghanaian staffer over unpaid bonuses. These are still rumours but neither play will have any part in this tournament going forward.
Muntari was suspended for this game anyway due to an accumulation of cards. Boateng is a key player for Ghana but they are loaded in attacking players that can supplant him up front. Biggest concern for Ghana in this game is their mental state. I can imagine the Ghana FA wants to keep as tight a lid on this as possible so its not known what the state of team morale or chemistry is. Stories like this are never a good sign in a tournament though (see: 2010 France).
Portugal's personnel troubles are known and are based on injury. Fabio Coentrao is still out. Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga are both doubtful and Beto may again see time in goal in place of Rui Patricio. That says nothing to the health of Cristiano Ronaldo who Portugal claim is 100% fit.
Won't even attempt to analyze formations until they come out with so many injuries/suspensions. Keys to the game will be the wing play. Ghana love to press high and attack the outside of the pitch before cutting towards goal. Portugal meanwhile like to counter-attack the flanks with Ronaldo and Nani. Expect a fast-paced back-and-forth contest in this one.
Personnel
In the Portuguese Third: Pepe is back from suspension which should bolster Portugal's defence. Even without Boateng and Muntari though, this is a scary offensive front to play against. Atsu and Andre Ayew have terrorized full backs throughout this tournament and Asamoah Gyan up front is one of the top target men around. Portugal have surrendered 6 goals so far this tournament, and will be hard pressed to contain this Ghanian front 4. Advantage: Ghana.
In the Midfield:Interesting question. Both teams love to counter-attack as the focal point of their offences. Difference in terms of pressure though, Portugal content to sit back and defend while Ghana love the high press. Can Ghana press Portugal without exploiting them to fast breaks? And can Portugal counter-attack against Ghana's speed? Advantage: Ghana, only because of the speed advantage.
In the Ghanaian Third: Ghana have some quality full backs but this is a weak central defence pairing. Eder is likely to start up front for Portugal and is the least experienced of the Portugal strikers, but Ronaldo, Nani and Moutinho among others can provide enough pressure themselves to cause Ghana concern. Advantage: Portugal.
Goalkeeping: Through 4 games, 4 different goalkeepers have played for these teams. I would imagine Dauda gets the call for Ghana on strength of his showing against Germany. For Portugal, depends entirely if Rui Patricio is healthy or not. Who knows? Advantage: Incomplete
Portugal will win if:
Comes down to individual battles on the flanks in my opinion. Can Andre Almeida and Joao Pereira do what neither Germany or the U.S. could do which is close down Ghana on the wings and prevent Ayew and Atsu from having their way with crosses and shots. Close those two players off and Portugal will severely limit Ghana's potential for goals. This is far easier said then done.
Ghana will win if:
Neutralize Ronaldo and own their penalty area. If Ronaldo is truly 100% fit (lol, no) then he will be the player to end Ghana's World Cup hopes. Have to find a way to keep him away from the centre of the field and harass him as much as possible on the ball. Ghana have not been able to keep opponents from their goalfront in the first 2 games. Can't win in this game if they don't close that down, Nani and Ronaldo will eat them alive with crosses.
I was all set to pick Ghana in this game. Then I remembered Muntari's out and Pepe's back. Then I woke up today and saw Ghana had gone in to full 2010 France Meltdown Mode.
I don't know to be honest. Can't judge the mental state of Ghana and how much fight-back potential Portugal has down so far in the group. I think there will be goals but impossible at this point to tell if either team comes out on top. If they have heads in the game, I still think Ghana. If not, does Portugal have enough to overcome their speed?
Ghana 2-2 Portugal.
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