Portugal's ability to overcome close wins and early struggles in the qualifying round has given them another shot at reaching South Africa next summer. With some help from the Swedish national team, who faltered down the stretch in qualifying, Portugal finished as runners-up in group 1 of European qualifying behind Denmark.
Controversy surrounds the Portuguese side as their impending playoff with Bosnia is just days away. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's premier footballers and Portugal's most indispensable player, has missed his last eight matches with Real Madrid. The club's doctors have ruled Ronaldo out for two weeks, as they hope to have him return for their match with Barcelona on November 29th.
Carlos Quieroz, the Portugal manager, has different ideas. Days ago, he named Ronaldo to his 23 man roster for the two game aggregate playoff with Bosnia. This has sparked outrage among the Real Madrid organization as their recent contract with Ronaldo made him the highest paid soccer player in the world. It seems they have more at stake than the Portuguese side.
Quieroz does not agree, of course, as the hopes of an entire nation rest on his shoulders. He expects to have Ronaldo re-evaluated by the national team doctors when he joins the team. "The specialists have to make the decision on if he can play," he said.
Losing a player of Ronaldo's caliber puts into question their ability to beat a Bosnian national team that has scored at will throughout qualifying. They have a young play-maker and goal scorer of their own. Edin Dzeko, the "Bosnian Diamond," and one of the best young strikers on the planet, is second in European qualifying with nine goals. His impressive ability to find the back of the net has turned Bosnia into one of the strongest and most potent offenses in Europe.
In these games,the pressure mounts from all countries, even those such as Bosnia with less tradition and history of success than Portugal. Miroslav Blazevic, the Bosnian manager, understands the significance of the two matches that will be played in Lisbon on November 14th and Zenica on the 18th, as Bosnia hasn't qualified for a major tournament since their recognition into FIFA in 1996. "I have never been involved in a more important match in my career," he said. "There is a lot of pressure and great expectations among the fans, so we mustn't let them down."
Quieroz, himself, is confident in his sides ability to stop the Bosnian strike force as they have only conceded 5 goals in qualifying. Playing at home in the opener, he hopes to come out with a solid result in preparation for the final match on the 18th. "As far as we are concerned, the World Cup starts now," he said. "We are going to try and put ourselves in a strong position for the return leg."
With Ronaldo likely to miss the two games, Portugal will have to lean on two of their other stars. Simao, who leads the team with four goals in qualifying, and Deco, who runs the show from the middle of the field, will be expected to carry the load if Portugal is to reach the World Cup for the fifth time.
With expectations high from both sides, the stage is set for a fiery playoff featuring some of the world's best players.
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