Portugal to put record straight

[FRANK III]

<span style='font-size:12'>(Soccernet) </span>

<span style='font-size:9'> None of Portugal's present stars have ever played in the World Cup finals. Yet Luis Figo et al are still too experienced to be overawed and Portugal are the strongest of the outsiders.

Poland will be quietly confident of reaching the knock-out stages in their first World Cup finals for 16 years. South Korea are anxious not to become the first host to bow out in the first round and the USA will hope to put a pitiful France '98 record behind them. </span>

[Mark]

even though you got no experienced players Portugal should still stroll that group, no fears :)

[Frank Cunha]

Portugal has to defeat the United States in the first game, its not going to be a easy task.. USA a veteran team mix with some speedy youngesters.

[cucumberman]

Portugal were impressive qualifiers for the Finals and go into their opening match as strong favourites. However, the American side won the last encounter between the pair, 10 years ago. That game in the US Cup - a rehearsal for the 1994 World Cup - was the only previous meeting not to have been a completely friendly affair.

USA
Injured goalkeeper Kasey Keller is still a contender for a starting place in the USA's World Cup opener.
The Tottenham Hotspur player hurt his left elbow in training on Wednesday. Keller was in too much pain to undergo an immediate scan. But hospital tests have now revealed nothing more serious than bruising.

Portugal
Abel Xavier will miss Portugal's opening game against the USA on Wednesday after injuring his thigh. Xavier suffered a thigh strain in training on Thursday and will definitely miss the first game in Suwon. But he is also doubtful for Portugal's second match against Poland in Jeonju on 10 June. Xavier went for a scan in Seoul which revealed a small rupture of the thigh muscle. The team doctor estimates he will be sidelined for eight to 10 days.



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FIXTURE HISTORY

DATE COMP MATCH RESULT
20 Sep 1978 F Portugal 1-0 USA
07 Oct 1980 F Portugal 1-1 USA
19 Dec 1990 F Portugal 1-0 USA
03 Jun 1992 USC USA 1-0 Portugal

[Footy Fanatic]

portugal should stroll through with S.Korea 2nd

[Mark]

look like they're in a bit of trouble now tho it seems..we'll see the real Portugal in the next game maybe

[Manic Loop]

pehaps yes, but maybe that was the real portugal

[Shed Boy]

Portugal were strong today but exactely what opposition were they up against. Poland, first Europeans to qualify, 1st out. They were very poor. I expected more from Olasanabie (sp?) after he seemed to do alot of running and was in the spaces for chances to come to him. The normally solid Dudek also has made some mistakes. I think Portugal will go thru.

[Manic Loop]

Portugal were strong today but exactely what opposition were they up against. Poland, first Europeans to qualify, 1st out.
erm, slovenia

[cucumberman]

Portugal were very strong today, but Poland were defensively very poor.

Things would have been so different if that Polands disallowed goal had stood.

Once again the quality of poor refereeing decisions must be called into question.

[free radio]

It is Clearly EEUU & Korea going thru. :({)

[caddy]

I hope so!! I hate Figo he isnt half as good as Becks!!!