Portugal scrapes through into the South Africa World Cup 2010

: Image by Ricardo Machado – design e ilustração via Flickr

Portugal Carlos Queiroz was delighted to see his boys maintain the early second half goal where he addressed that his team plays well away than at home. Without the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks it was always tense and a 50-50 chances in these matches where one moment of magic all that can separate any two teams is. Portugal had enough quality except Ronaldo but it’s a matter of pressure, intensity and perseverance of not conceding until the final whistle and the Portuguese team showed just how to do it.

Raul Meireles’ goal shook the Bosnian hearts as Bosnia did not come back and equalize. In about the 55th minute of the match, Meirales received a through pass from Nani and wasted no time in driving a low shot past Bosnian keeper Kenan Hasagic. The Portuguese players were pleased at their own performance for showing enough character in a not so comfortable pitch. However Meireles praised all his teammates for the blatant display.

Bosnia on the other hand were creating very few chances in the first half when their inform target man, Edwin Dzeko got very little scope against the solid Portuguese back line. The second half substitute Zlatan Muslimovic tried hard but pressure was crumbling upon the Bosnians after conceding. At about 77 minutes, the pressure was more prominent with Bosnian midfielder, Sejad Sahilovic being sent off for a second offence and it did nothing but sent the crowd furious and awry.

Meanwhile Portugal substituted Edinho in place of Nani at the 78th minute before the game was paused for a throwing incident from the crowd towards the assistant referee following the sent off. At the closing stages Deco replaced Simao while the Bosnian coach urged his team to go for a final blow. But Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibasevic could not really score and it was Portugal’s relief at last after the final whistle.