#360fans: Portugal vs Austria – UAE fans preview, players to watch & prediction

Sport360 staff 15:04 18/06/2016
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  • Ronaldo (l) and Alaba will be key for their sides.

    To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions and players to watch.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Share with us your thoughts and predictions by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    PORUGAL – Fracisco Alves (Architect, Dubai)

    After a somewhat disappointing first match (though let us give the deserved credit to a well-organised and solid Icelandic team), Portugal will need to step up their performance in order to keep alive any hope of going through the group stage. Most of all, it will depend on the willingness and fortunes in front of goal of Cristiano Ronaldo to inspire the team. More than once he has put his super-ego above his team’s needs, but this time he will need to transform his selfishness in favour of a collective goal.

    Due to a three-day gap between matches, coach Fernando Santos may be forced to make some changes to the starting line-up, and I would expect Cedric Soares to replace Vieirinha who was partly to blame for the goal we conceded against Iceland. Renato Sanches would be a welcome, galvanising addition to the midfield and Ricardo Quaresma would also freshen up our attack.

    Coming into this one on the back of an even more surprising defeat against Hungary, Austria will also be desperate to secure all three points. I’m expecting a much more focused performance in attack from the Austrians but the urge to score can leave some space in behind for the Portuguese counter-attack. Overall, I’m hoping for an open match from both teams.

    PREDICTION: Portugal 2 – 1 Austria

    LIKELY PORTUGAL XI: Rui Patricio; Cedric Soares, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Raphael Guerreiro; Danilo, Joao Moutinho, Joao Mario, Renato Sanches; Ricardo Quaresma, Cristiano Ronaldo.

    PORTUGAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo – He will always be in the spotlight for Portugal, asked to prove his value as a leader. He has done it before and can do it again. The ‘haters’ will trash him if he keeps up the passive aggressive attitude he showed  against Iceland. For the beauty of the game, let’s hope for an inspired performance.

    AUSTRIA PLAYER TO FEAR: Marko Arnautovic – With 11 goals and six assists in the 2015-16 Premier League, Stoke City’s forward has been Austria’s major attacking reference and has the necessary strength and talent to beat Portugal’s defence. If the connection between Christian Fuchs and David Alaba goes well, I would expect great supply from the left wing.

    WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Barasti Beach Bar

    AUSTRIA – Thomas Lattacher (Assistant Product Manager, Dubai)

    The defeat to Hungary has really shaken Austria, who were very confident of getting a result against their old rivals. The manner of the loss was a huge shock but we must now pick ourselves up for the challenge of a Portuguese side who also suffered an upset in their first game, drawing 1-1 with Iceland.

    A point against Portugal really is the minimum requirement but we will have to do it without a couple of important players.  The red card for defender Aleksander Dragovic will certainly hurt us but not as much as the injury to our playmaker Zlatko Junuzovic. Hopefully their replacements (probably Sebastian Prodl for Dragovic and Alessandro Schopf for Junuzovic) can fill the void.

    PREDICTION: Portugal 1-1 Austria

    LIKELY AUSTRIA XI: Almer; Klein, Prodl, Hinteregger, Fuchs; Alaba, Baumgartlinger; Harnik, Schopf, Arnautovic; Janko.

    AUSTRIA PLAYER TO WATCH: David Alaba – With Zlatko Junuzovic missing, Alaba is going to have much more opportunity to be part of Austria’s attack. He should leave more of the defensive work to Julian Baumgartlinger and then Austria can benefit from his copious attacking talents.

    PORTUGAL PLAYER TO FEAR: Cristiano Ronaldo – They don’t come much scarier! Iceland did a great job of keeping him quiet and Austria should follow suit. Not letting him pick up the ball and run at the defence will be crucial and he will also be dangerous from every free-kick near the box.

    WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: ON42 at the Media One Hotel – it’s been rocking so far.

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