Source: Xinhua
06-12-2008 13:40
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsGENEVA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Pre-tournament favorites Portugal came close to emerge as the first qualifying team to the Euro 2008 quarterfinals, after a dying-minute goal by substitute Ricardo Quaresma help the 2004 runners-up to trounce the Czech Republic 3-1 here on Wednesday.
The Porto forward scored the quick free-kick work to catch the Czechs out in the first minute of the stoppage time, as Deco put Cristiano Ronaldo in the clear but the latter unselfishly squared for Quaresma to wrap up the game.
An eighth-minute goal by veteran Deco and a cracking strike from Ronaldo on 63 minutes, however, had earlier put Portugal in ahead, though Libor Sionko's header at 16 once denied the earlier lead of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.
With the 3-1 win, Portugal made a clear move at the top of Group A after having won the opening day match 2-0 over Turkey, while the latter faces co-hosts Switzerland later in Basel, looking to lose the title of "Masters of Disappointment".
An unbeaten result for Turkey will ensure Portugal's procession to the last eight as the UEFA rated a win-to-lose principle first in the European Championship advancing law.
Both sides came here with three points in hand after having claimed opening day victories respectively over Switzerland and Turkey.
A 63-minute goal from Ronaldo, who right-footed the ball from the center of the box to the bottom left corner in the 63 minute, put the victory earlier in sight of the Portuguese.
The high-rated goal scorer of this season's UEFA Champions League winners Machester United, 23, made a first-time shot through a quick free-kick, an instant pass from Deco to leave Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech without any chance to cancel it.
Czech team had cancelled an early 1-0 lead of the Euro 2004 runners-up Portugal, with a diving header by forward Libor Sionko from the center of the box to the high center of the goal over the Portuguese captain and keeper Ricardo in the 17 minute.
Jaroslav Plasil assisted the equalizer by swung in a corner after Portugal midfielder Petit conceded it to favor the Czechs.
Eight minutes earlier, Deco opened the scoring for World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, with a right-footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
The goal followed an earlier left-footed shot of the Barcelona playmaker, which was blocked by a Czech defender, after Cristiano Ronaldo danced through the center of the Czech back four to launch the first established attacking action of the Portuguese.
Cech made a superb stop to Ronaldo's attempt before the ball trickled to the feet of Deco, against whom Cech again denied an opening score. But the ball dropped back to Deco, who bundles it past Czech left back Marek Jankulovski on the line.
The Chelsea goalie later proved himself the key man for Karel Bruckner's side, impressing with several fine saves against Ronaldo and denying five shots on target from the rivals before break.
Portugal held a 18-12 better mark of shots and occupied 59% of the ball possession throughout the match, but found troubles in breaking the deadlock before Ronaldo's 63-minute goal, despite the Czechs failed in organizing even a single piece of dangerous challenge on the other end in 45 minutes around the break.
Editor:Zhang Ning
