This feature originally ran in The Standard-Times on July 1, 2006.

By Nick Tavares

For some, last Saturday's match was one to forget.

As Portugal took on Holland in Nuremburg in the World Cup Round of 16, referee Valentin Ivanov of Russia handed out 16 yellow cards and four red cards in the match, narrowing the field to nine players each by the end, while letting more serious penalties go undisciplined.

But, for many, Saturday's match was one to remember.

Through the flying elbows and fallen bodies, Portugal defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, on the strength of a goal from Maniche, advancing the nation to the quarterfinals, already their second-highest position ever.

The yellow cards mean that Portugal will be without brilliant playmaker Deco and midfielder Costinha for today's match against England.

On top of the two suspensions, Portugal is also battling injury. Young midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo, fouled hard in the leg by the Netherlands' Khalid Boulahrouz, is questionable for today's match. Head coach Scolari will move his captain and midfielder, Luis Figo, into Deco's playmaking spot, while the offense will rest in the legs of veterans Pauleta and Maniche.

Even though Portugal is handicapped by the suspensions and injury, fans in the New Bedford area are optimistic they can prevail over England.

Jesse DaCosta has been following the World Cup and feels that Portugal's attack will be able to carry on in Deco's absence.

"For me, it's Pauleta; he's the best," he said. "He can score whenever he wants. The other who will be strong up front is (Luis) Figo. And on defense, Richardo Carvalho could be the key" to stopping England's attack.

Mr. DaCosta was optimistic about Ronaldo's chances as well, and thinks the Portuguese can handle England.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is an excellent player," he said. "I think he'll play tomorrow, definitely.

"And England has some good people, especially up front. Rooney &

they'll have to watch out for him. But I think their defense should be able to stop him.

"I think Portugal wins, 2-1, with goals from Pauleta and Figo."

Anna Teixeira, bartender at United Fishermen's Club on Orchard Street in New Bedford, was even more enthusiastic.

"Portugal is the best," she said. "It will be Portugal and Germany in the final, and tomorrow Portugal will win 2-1."

While still hopeful, other fans were more cautious yesterday.

"This is going to be a tough game. England is very good, especially with Portugal missing some people," Sebastian Veiga said at the Fishermen's Club.

"I mean, it could come down to penalties," he said. "It will be very even for the 90 minutes, and it could come down to penalty kicks."

Gilbert Gardin feels that Portugal's spirit and toughness could be enough to carry them to victory today.

"I think Portugal will win, 1-0," he said. "They want this, and it won't be easy, but they'll go at it 100 percent. Work hard, and play well, that's what they'll do."

He was also confident in Ronaldo's ability to bounce back from injury.

"Ronaldo will play, I think. He got hit hard in the leg, and that should've meant a red card (for the Netherlands). But, I hope, he'll come back and play."

The history heading into the match is deep. England and Portugal met in the semifinals in the 1966 World Cup. Host England defeated the Portuguese, 2-1, and later West Germany by the same score in the final to capture what is still their only World Cup title.

The third-place finish in '66 is still the greatest in Portugal's history, highlighted by Eusebio's nine goals to lead all players in the tournament.

This Portugal team is aware of its history, but their eyes are set sternly on today's match.

"Nothing will erase the achievement of '66," Figo told The Associated Press. "We're already making history. We're proud of what we've done so far and we're going to keep working hard to get more."

Striker Pauleta, the first player from the Azores to play for the national senior team and now the nation's all-time leading international scorer, remembers that part of that history includes an extremely disappointing finish in 2002, falling in the group play phase of the tournament.

"We have been together now for about three years and we're desperately keen to show our country that they can rely on us and we'll do everything we can to ensure dignity for the national team," he said.

Regardless of today's result, the Portuguese team has already done more than its share to secure its place in history. Surprisingly, with only the fourth appearance in the World Cup, Portugal could be securing a spot as a world power for years to come.

Keep the cards in the officials' pockets, and they could secure a date in the semis, too.

Nick Tavares is a columnist for The Standard-Times. Contact him at ntavares@s-t.com

Date of Publication July 01, 2006 on Page A06