Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo reacts after the drawn World Cup group 1 qualifying soccer match against Denmark. AP Photo/Tariq Mikkel Khan/POLFOTO
Currently sitting in third position in the FIFA World rankings, Portugal will no doubt have their work cut out if they are to emerge from a tough group and go on to claim a maiden World Cup.
Indeed, it is somewhat of a surprise that Portugal find themselves trailing only Brazil and Spain in the pecking order, given the below par performances they produced during World Cup qualifying that almost cost them a place in South Africa.
Having made the semi-finals in Germany 2006, Portugal were nearly left without a ticket to the African continent, after failing to qualify directly from a group which included tough nations Denmark and Sweden.
The two time semi-finalists eventually finished second in their group at the expense of Sweden, and were forced to play Bosnia Herzegovina for a place in the World Cup.
Despite winning both legs, Portugal were hardly convincing, and lucky not to concede an away goal at home after Bosnia pressured the hosts late on, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Having emerged the other side, however, a fit and firing Portugal are always a tough proposition, and it will be interesting to see how well they ply their trade in arguably one of the toughest groups at this year’s World Cup.
Portugal have been pitted alongside five time world champions Brazil and a dangerous Ivory Coast side, which features established stars Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou.
Such quality opposition should bring out the best in Portugal’s own superstar in Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo.
Like Lionel Messi for Argentina, Ronaldo will be the face of Portugal’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, in a tournament which could see him regain his world’s greatest player tag.
Having experienced a very solid first season for Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s form at the moment bodes well for Portugal’s chances to not only qualify from the group stages, but to perhaps go all the way.
Ronaldo, however, is just one key piece to a puzzle that makes up a solid Portugal midfield.
Chelsea star Deco will conduct proceedings in the middle of the park, while Manchester United winger Nani will serve as a key link in Portugal’s transition from defence into attack.
Other players such as Sabrosa and Simao are also integral to the way Portugal function in the midfield.
For all their creativity in the midfield however, Portugal have struggled to find the back of the net on a constant basis due to a lack of forward depth.
Ever since the legendary Eusebio stole the show for Portugal during his prime, the national team has yet to fill the gaping void left by arguably their greatest ever player.
Coach Walter Queiroz has tried incorporating several strikers in his bid to address Portugal’s woes upfront with little success.
Names such as Almeida, Liedson, Edinho, Pauleta and Gomes have failed to establish themselves as the potent force upfront Portugal need to really consider themselves as a prime contender on the world stage.
Even Ronaldo himself has experienced limited success as a forward, in particular against the top tier nations.
For all their shortcomings upfront, Portugal will still present themselves as a highly offensive unit, with Queiroz to most likely utilise an attacking 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation during the World Cup.
Such an offensive approach however demands a solid backline and Portugal have that, with figureheads such as Chelsea players Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira to marshal the defensive wall.
Valencia and Real Madrid defenders Miguel and Pepe will also prove crucial to Portugal’s stability at the back, and it will be interesting to see if the latter has overcome the anterior cruciate ligament injury which has kept the 27 year old out of action since December 2009.
Indeed, there is little doubt that Portugal have the means to create the opportunities necessary to give themselves every chance of replicating their semi-final showing four years ago.
Whether they have the capacity to take those opportunities when they present themselves will prove decisive in Portugal’s bid to consolidate their current status as one of the top three footballing nations in the world come South Africa.
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