FIFA WC: Portugal would like to avoid facing Brazil in Round of 16, Ronaldo…

Ronaldo, Suarez and Son Heungmin
– Photo: Social Media

Already through to the knockouts, Portugal will face South Korea in the Gruch-H of the FIFA World Cup on Friday. The Portuguese team will be eyeing a point to avoid meeting Brazil in the last-16. In the current table, Portugal is on top with six points, while Brazil is also on top of Group G with six points. In such a situation, the top team in Group-H and the second-ranked team of Group-G will be face to face in the last-16. Group-G and H teams will play their last matches of the group stage on Friday. There will be two matches of Group-H from 8.30 pm Indian time. Portugal will face Korea Republic and Ghana will face Uruguay. There, Group-G matches will be held at 12:30 pm (December 3) according to Indian time. Brazil will face Cameroon and Serbia will face Switzerland.

Two veterans of Uruguay – Suarez and Cavani
Cristiano Ronaldo did not appear in training
After Sunday’s win over Uruguay, Santos said he plans to rest several key players, including Ronaldo, against Korea Republic. Three matches in nine days may be too much for the 37-year-old Ronaldo.

Ronaldo missed the team’s training session on Wednesday while he was practicing in the gym. It is possible that he will play only in the last-16 match. This could give Goncalo Ramos or Andre Silva a chance to start. Center back Danilo Pereira is also expected to miss the match after suffering a rib injury in training last week.

Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes keen to continue his fine form
If Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes is selected, he will look to continue his fine form. He has scored two goals so far and has made two assists. At the same time, Korea will also need to register a win and the result of the match between Ghana and Uruguay at the same time in their favor so that they can advance to the next round along with Portugal from the group. If Ghana wins, South Korea will not qualify, regardless of the result against Portugal.

Current status of Group-H

Brazil will try reserve players against Cameroon today

Brazil, which have entered the round of 16 despite the absence of star Neymar, will look to test their reserves against Cameroon on Friday. Coach Tite is expected to make changes at every position. Experienced Dani Alves can be fielded in defence. Fabinho will be in midfield. Antoine and Gabriele Martinelli could be brought into attack. Coach Tite would like to field all the seven players who are yet to feature in the tournament.

brazilian team
Apart from Neymar, right back Danilo and left back Alex Sandro are also unavailable due to injury. Five-time champions Brazil need just a draw to top Group G.
This match is more important for Cameroon. He will need a win to keep his hopes alive. However, even victory will not be enough.

Current status of Group-G

His further journey will also depend on the result of the match between Switzerland and Serbia. Brazil have six points, three more than Switzerland and five more than Cameroon and Serbia. Cameroon will aim to reach the last 16 for the first time since 1990. 32 years ago the team reached the quarter finals. The team could not even qualify in the last tournament held in Russia. The African team lost their first match to Switzerland and then played a draw against Serbia.

switzerland star footballer shaqiri

Expansion

Portugal, who have already reached the knockouts, will face South Korea in the Gruch-H of the FIFA World Cup on Friday. The Portuguese team will be eyeing a point to avoid meeting Brazil in the last-16. Portugal is currently on top of the table with six points, while Brazil is also on top of Group G with six points.