wc06: semifinal (NOT taepodong missile) II preview

Last night’s proceedings were a spectacle to behold and I expect tonight’s to be the same.

I am talking about World Cup footie, in case you’ve lost sight, while ducking your heads to avoid recent low-flying birds of a different feather, of other endeavours still, er, endeavouring here on Earth.

Portugal v. France:

As with the first semifinal, stories abound pertaining to this fixture, stories that are not necessarily all related to the actual game that will commence on the pitch:

• Portugal have openly admitted to wanting to extract a bit of revenge for a loss to France six years ago, in the Euro 2000 semi-finals
• Deco and Costinha return to the Portuguese midfield after serving suspensions against England in the last match
• Six of France’s starting XI have bookings on their record from their last match played and would miss the final should they receive one here and France win
• Portugal are the only nation among the semi-finalists never to have reached a World Cup final, much less win the prize
• The two nations have combined to give up only three goals so far in the tournament, so goals will probably be hard to come by in this one, as well

Portugal should be very happy to have a rested Deco and Constinha back because they will be major keys to shackling France’s rejuvenated and electrifying midfield and forwards. If Portugal play as lackadaisically as did Brasil against France, which I don’t anticipate, book France into the final. Though Portugal’s defence has been stingy the past three and a half weeks, allowing just a solitary goal so far, if the midfielders don’t at least partly contain a now-rampant Zidane and Vieira, there will be loads of trouble for Portugal.

On the flip side, France are rightly favoured. There should be no reason to start thinking that les Bleus are suddenly going to revert to their group stage selves, not with the finish line so very much in sight. The French defence, like Portugal’s, has been very tough, conceding only a slow-motion crap goal to Korea and a penalty to Spain. The defence put a wiltering hammer to Brasil’s attack, but Portugal are not going to be as uninspired and will be more dangerous.

While Portugal are going to have concern themselves with Zidane, Henry, Ribery, Vieira, and more, France’s concern will be of a different hue: not allowing themselves to be drawn into Portugal’s less-than-honourable style of play. Whereas Portugal cannot allow Zidane, Henry, & Co., to run riot, France cannot allow themselves to be suckered into a barroom brawl like Holland and England were.

In the end, I believe France’s experience prevails. Zidane and his mates can feel the Cup nearly in their grasp and I think they’ll nick a tight one late in regulation or in extra time.

Of course, I’ve been known to be wrong on these things…