Portugal vs Netherlands 2006 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 June 25, 2006 - Nuremberg, Germany This was one of one of the more memorable games for me. The setting could not be more perfect. I as at my niece's birthday party, we are Portuguese and my brother’s wife is Dutch. On the dutch side the parents and grand parents attended. We all watched the entire game together with a barbecue going strong and a bottomless cooler of beer. The game did not disappoint as it was as entertaining as it was exciting. One of the big stories coming out just before the game started was the fact that Van Basten dropped Ruud Van Nistelrooy to the bench. To me this single choice cost him the game as there were countless opportunities where great balls were played in front the Portugal goal with no-one in reach. As a world renown poacher Ruud would have struck home on every one. Portugal Starting XI: Portugal played a 4-3-3 and had the penalty kick maestro in goal (Ricardo), Ricardo Carvalho and Fernando Meira as centre backs, Miguel and Nuno Valente as full backs, Costinha in the in front of them, Maniche and Deco in midfeild, Figo and Ronaldo wide with Pauleta up front. Netherlands Starting XI To me it also looked like the Netherlands were playing a 4-3-3 as well with Van Der Sar in goal, Boulharouz/Mathijsen/Van Bronckhors/Ooijer in defense, Cocu/Sneidjer/Van Bommel in midfield, Robben and Van Persie wide with Kuyt up front.
First Half: It was a methodical start by both teams who seemed to be canceling each other out. The tone was set early as Van Bommel went in studs up against Cristiano Ronaldo’s thigh. This left him infective for the little time he spent on the field before coming off due to this injury. This was the first incident to raise the temperature as Ivanov (the Russian referee) chose to keep his card in his pocket. The flying Dutchmen (Arjen Robben) was stonewalled constantly in the final third by Miguel’s fantastic defensive work who seemed to tackle and win the ball at the perfect moment. Of course Miguel had some help from Carvalho at times. In the 18th minute the Portuguese contingent of the crowd was chanting POR-TU-GAL to keep the team going. It was a very hot night in Nuremberg and some players were soaked with sweat by the 20th minute. At this point in the game Maniche took his revenge on Van Bommel for the foul on Ronaldo and was booked, the original foul was by Boulahrouz but it didn’t matter as anyone would do. The camera panned to a great sea of Orange in the stands, Van Basten standing calm and cerebral in front of his dugout while big Phil (Scolari) stood screaming with arms waving in signals toward his players. I once read that big Phil provided each of his Brazil squad of a copy of the Art of War in order to prepare mentally. It finally happened in the 23rd minute, a piece of pure beauty and skill that would forever seal the memory of Maniche amongst fans world wide. Deco on the right provides a laser pass to Pauleta who with back to goal quickly passes the ball to the on rushing Maniche...after side stepping his defenders fired a ferocious ball past Van Der Sar. The stadium erupted and Maniche ran toward the fans screaming and banging on his crest. Portugal fans were in ecstasy, pure nirvana. This was not the first time Maniche had scored against the Netherlands
and the announcer echoed “the Netherlands must be heartily sick of Maniche�. After the restart Portuguese fans provided a symphony of song which drove the team forward surging to attack. The Netherlands were temporarily deflated. Both teams unwilling to give an inch no matter what the result tackles started flying in and yellow cards being handed out. Ronaldo unable to continue was subbed for Simao. The camera panned to Ronaldo on the bench who was fighting back tears not knowing if he world cup hopes were over. Van Persie showed his skill by speeding down field, turning his defender into a pretzel then crossing balls into the box with no-one to connect. These are the occasions when the great goal poacher (Van Nistelrooy) would have hammered home. Both teams playing counter attacking football, surging runs up field at every turn. In terms of discipline some of the decisions by the referee were pure madness as seen in the 41st minute when Nuno Valente flew at Arjen Robben and slammed his studs against his chest in the box. This should have been a penalty and Valente red carded but Ivanov whistled for a goal kick. Just before the end of the half Consinha was shown his second yellow and then sent off. Portugal down to 10 men. Second Half: With Portugal now a man down big Phil started the half by pulling off Pauleta and bringing in Petit. Basically a forward for a midfielder. The orange came out attacking and very nearly scored when Cocu blasted the ball from point blank range to the top of goal. The ball slammed against the top bar, bounced off the line and out. Cocu could not believe his terrible luck, I don’t think Ruud would have missed that one. The Netherlands switched their attack from the wings to direct up midfield (no doubt due to the half time talk from Van Basten) and was starting to see some success and improved opportunities. The sea of orange chanting HOLLAND. Van Basten pulled of Mathijsen off and introduced Van Der Vart to add to the attack. However, even playing a man down Portugal almost capitalized on many opportunities still playing effectively on the counter attack. In the 58th minute the famous altercation and Figo head but against Van Bommel should have seen him sent off but instead a yellow card was handed out. Boulahrouz takes his revenge shortly their after on Figo, being his second yellow Boulahrouz is sent off. The orange swam the referee to no avail. Now with both teams playing with 10 men Van Basten pulls off Van Bommel and introduces Heitinga, a midfielder for a defender. Both teams continue to attack on the counter, fans chanting and fouls continue. In the 73rd minute as tempers flair Deco grabs the ball to prevent a quick restart, he is then presented with his second yellow and sent off. Portugal down to 9 men. Big Phil loses his marbles and is seething with rage on the touch line, Portugues fans booing Ivanov. In the 79th minute it looked like the orange would equalize as Kuyt finds himself wide open, one on one with Ricardo. Disappointingly Kuyt fires straight at Ricardo and the attack snuffed out. Again, not one Ruud would miss.
The Portuguese crowd chanting POR-TU-GAL! Tiago is brought on as Figo is pulled off, on his way to the bench being booed by the orange fans. Van Basten tries a change, Vennegoor of Hesselink for Cocu. Attacking continues as real goal scoring opportunities are seen one both sides of the field. Incredibly 6 minutes of stoppage time added by Ivanov. Crowds from both teams try out chanting each other as the game reaches the boiling point. in the 4th minute of extra time both teams are level with 9 players as Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is booked with his second yellow and is sent off. In the dieing embers of the game the camera pans to players who had been sent off for both teams sitting in the stands together watching the game with disbelief. The final whistle blows and one of the most dramatic games I have seen is over. Portugal goes through and the Netherlands are out of the world cup. By: TFC_Blogger http://tfcblogger.blogspot.com/ http://www.twitter.com/TFC_Blogger http://www.facebook.com/pages/TFC_Blogger/166609660052737
Sources: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/results/matches/match=97410052/report.ht ml