Ahead of their Group F clash in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday, Portugal and Iceland UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
PORTUGAL – Francisco Alves (Architect, Dubai)
Judging by the promising performance shown in the last friendly match before Euro 2016, Portugal’s confidence levels should be high enough to get through the match against Iceland with ease.
Ricardo Quaresma was the absolute star of the show, scoring twice and providing two assists in the 7-0 thrashing of Estonia, and hopefully he recovers from an injury he picked up at the end of the game. We are obviously hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself fully fit too after the long and prolific season he has just had. If Quaresma doesn’t recover, Nani will start and could also be a good solution to unlock what I expect to be a strong and hard to penetrate Icelandic defence.
Looking at Portugal’s back-line, the possibility of including Raphael Guerreiro in the starting line-up got a bit stronger after his performance against Estonia. For the past days, rumours about his imminent signing by Borussia Dortmund should give him a boos and coach Fernando Santos should make the most of it. Compared to Eliseu, he gives a more attacking depth to Portugal’s left-wing but may not guarantee such a strong man-to-man defending when facing physical opponents like the Icelandic forwards.
Overall, Portugal has enough individual quality to overcome this first challenge but should be wary that over-confidence often leads to anxiety and may unsettle their prospects of progressing from the group stage.
PREDICTION: Portugal 3 -1 Iceland
LIKELY PORTUGAL XI: Rui Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Eliseu; Danilo, Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario, Andre Gomes; Ricardo Quaresma, Cristiano Ronaldo.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Ricardo Quaresma – Outstanding against Estonia, on this form he has the ability to put on a one-man-show packed with dazzling, skillful dribbles and once and for all end the self-sabotage and reach the world-class level he has always threatened.
ICELAND PLAYER TO FEAR: Gylfi Sigurdsson – Though Eidur Gudjohnsen is perhaps the most identifiable figure in the Icelandic squad, Swansea’s playmaker is the one more used to a high level of competition and, judging by his good season in England, I’m sure he will be a constant threat to Portugal’s defence.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Barasti Beach Bar
ICELAND – Sæmundur St. Magnusson (Private Client Advisor, Dubai)
Although we qualified well, Iceland’s form has been mixed in the lead up to Euro 2016. We lost 3-2 away to near neighbours Norway but rounded things off with a solid 4-0 home win against Liechtenstein, thanks to goals from Sigporsson, Saevarsson, Finnbogason and Eidur Gudjohnsen.
You can’t really take too much from these friendlies, after all Liechtenstein is one thing, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will be a different beast in the opening match of the European Championship.
It is a big moment for Iceland, playing at our first ever major international tournament, and I just hope the players aren’t overawed by the occasion. They certainly showed in qualifying that they can handle the pressure of important games and although Portugal is the worst possible first game, I believe Iceland can spring a surprise.
The form of the Iceland national team has not been so good in the last friendly games. But the last game we won 4-0 at home against Lichtenstein. Also we won Greece not so long ago, but we at not worried about the form in friendly games. In the end they don’t count.
PREDICTION: Portugal 0-1 Iceland
LIKELY ICELAND XI: Halldorsson, Skulason, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Sævarsson, Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Sigurdsson, Gudmundsson, Bödvarsson, Sigþorsson.
ICELAND PLAYER TO WATCH: Gylfi Sigurdsson – Our top scorer in qualifying and our most creative player – has a habit of scoring important goals for Iceland.
PORTUGAL PLAYER TO FEAR: Cristiano Ronaldo – What can be said that hasn’t already. The Real Madrid star is quite simply one of the best players in the world and a scary prospect, even when he’s not on top form.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Many Icelandic fans will be at Reform Social & Grill at the Lakes in Dubai.
