World Cup Preview - Group G - Portugal

Nickname: “Selecção das Quinas”

FIFA ranking: 3rd

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Game Schedule:
June 15 – Portugal vs. Ivory Coast (Port Elizabeth, 10 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 20 – Portugal vs. North Korea (Cape Town, 7:30 a.m., ESPN)
June 25 – Portugal vs. Brazil (Durban, 10 a.m., ESPN)

Prospects: Despite struggling through the qualifiers and squeaking out a win against Bosnia in the play-offs, Portugal arrive in South Africa with an absurdly high FIFA ranking and huge expectations on a team with some fairly big character issues. Whether Carlos Queiroz is the guy to get his side into a groove that takes them into the later stages is still an open question.

Key Player: SA 2010 is the stage on which Cristiano Ronaldo can finally become a legend. If he finds the form he had with United in 07/08, Portugal could surprise a lot of favorites.

Youngster to watch: None; it's the usual old faces.

Who Will Get the Goals: The Portuguese are back to fielding a side without any real goalscorers. Likes of Nani, Simao and Ronaldo shared the goals in qualifying.

Who Will Get the Cards: Chelski's Ricardo Carvalho developed an alarming habit of manhandling opponents in the box this season. That will cost him on the highest stage.

Funniest Name: Malaga defender Duda.

Prediction: Group G will be fascinating and will likely go down to the last match, but I have Ivory Coast just edging out Portugal on the last day, when they play North Korea and Portugal face Brazil.