Thursday, July 01, 2004
The One With The Semi (part 1)
Whoaaa.. *(still sleepy).. OLÉ!! Host Nation Portugal set their place in the Euro 2004 Final with 2-1 win against previous tournament semi-finalist Netherlands. The last host nation to qualify for final was France led by Platini in 1984. (They also emerged the Champion)
The game was interesting, both teams exchange attacks but Portugal got the first goal. On 26th minute, Pauleta won a corner, Deco delivered it well into the middle, unmarked Ronaldo headed the ball in. He later was booked for taking-off-shirt-goal-celebration. Netherlands quickly recovered. They pressed from the left, Davids was deflected and arrived to Overmars to freely volley it.. only over the bar.. (quoting the commentator : Overmars over bar!!) Unlucky.. after that, Overmars passed a through-ball, and Nistelrooy put it in.. but flag was up for offside.. Figo's outstanding solo effort then just hit the far post.. after first half whistle gone, still 1-0 to Portugal..
Advocaat desperate for equalizer, switched Overmars for Makaay, and Bouma for van der Vaart.. But it was Portugal who got another goal. Again from a corner-kick, quickly taken by Ronaldo, passed it to Maniche and the midfield fired an astonishing strike from left edge of the box, ended into the far corner of van der Saar's goal. 2-0.
Five minutes after the 2nd goal, Netherlands got their lifeline. Robben combined with van Bronckhorst and the latter's cross to van Nistelrooy got diverted by defender Andrade into his own net. Late in second half Netherlands got a freekick on the edge of the box. Sub van Hooijdonk just managed to hit the wall..
Portugal will meet the winner of Greece-Czech Republic game tonight. Final will be played early Monday morning Malaysia time.. Final result:
Portugal 2 : Ronaldo (26'), Maniche (58')
Netherlands 1 : Andrade (63' og.)
(MoM : Figo)
Whoaaa.. *(still sleepy).. OLÉ!! Host Nation Portugal set their place in the Euro 2004 Final with 2-1 win against previous tournament semi-finalist Netherlands. The last host nation to qualify for final was France led by Platini in 1984. (They also emerged the Champion)
The game was interesting, both teams exchange attacks but Portugal got the first goal. On 26th minute, Pauleta won a corner, Deco delivered it well into the middle, unmarked Ronaldo headed the ball in. He later was booked for taking-off-shirt-goal-celebration. Netherlands quickly recovered. They pressed from the left, Davids was deflected and arrived to Overmars to freely volley it.. only over the bar.. (quoting the commentator : Overmars over bar!!) Unlucky.. after that, Overmars passed a through-ball, and Nistelrooy put it in.. but flag was up for offside.. Figo's outstanding solo effort then just hit the far post.. after first half whistle gone, still 1-0 to Portugal..
Advocaat desperate for equalizer, switched Overmars for Makaay, and Bouma for van der Vaart.. But it was Portugal who got another goal. Again from a corner-kick, quickly taken by Ronaldo, passed it to Maniche and the midfield fired an astonishing strike from left edge of the box, ended into the far corner of van der Saar's goal. 2-0.
Five minutes after the 2nd goal, Netherlands got their lifeline. Robben combined with van Bronckhorst and the latter's cross to van Nistelrooy got diverted by defender Andrade into his own net. Late in second half Netherlands got a freekick on the edge of the box. Sub van Hooijdonk just managed to hit the wall..
Portugal will meet the winner of Greece-Czech Republic game tonight. Final will be played early Monday morning Malaysia time.. Final result:
Portugal 2 : Ronaldo (26'), Maniche (58')
Netherlands 1 : Andrade (63' og.)
(MoM : Figo)