Portugal vs Ghana: Latest news, likely line-ups and prediction

Sport360 staff 12:56 26/06/2014
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  • Portugal coach Paulo Bento last night insisted that he would not resign if his country becomes the latest European nation to crash out of the World Cup.

    Bento’s side play Ghana in Group G tonight knowing they need a big win to even maintain their slight hopes of stopping Germany and United States taking the two qualifying spots for the last 16.

    “Whatever happens in tomorrow’s match, I will not resign from my post as coach,” Bento told his pre-match press conference. “That is not my intention. It is not the intention of the federation and not the intention of its president. With that everything has been said. 

    Portugal were hammered 4-0 by Germany before needing a last-gasp goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with the United States.

    Those results have increased pressure on a side which relies heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Bento admitted that the team faces “an extremely complicated situation” going into Thursday’s match.

    “We have to win and then we will see,” said Bento, who added that he did not believe that the Germany and United States would play for a deliberate draw that would squeeze out Portugal, no matter the score in the rival match.

    “There is no place for fear,” about the results,” he said, calling for a show of “dignity” by all sides.

    “We have a match to play, the United States and Germany have a match to play.

    “We must choose a strategy against a team (Ghana) that is technically advanced, physically very strong, with players that are fast on the counter-attack, a team that is going to get involved and try to qualify,” said Bento.

    Ghana are without key midfielder Sulley Muntari, who is suspended. Emmanuel Badu or Michael Essien will come in.

    LIKELY LINE-UPS

    Portugal (4-3-3) 
    Beto; Pereira, Alves, Costa, Almeida; Moutinho, Carvalho, Meireles; Nani, Ronaldo, Varela

    Ghana (4-2-3-1) 
    Dauda; Afful, Mensah, Boye, Asamoah; Badu, Rabiu; Atsu, A Ayew, J, Ayew; Gyan

    PREDICTION

    Ghana were magnificent against Germany and showed loads of heart. Portugal have shown little. 2-1 Ghana.

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