Portugal seeks to beat Turkey and go to the ‘play-off’ of the World Cup
Dafter the 2-1 triumph in Serbia, on Friday, the team led by Francisco Neto rose to second place in the group, which gives the ‘play-off’, organization for the last round with one more point than access to the Serbs.
With Germany already qualified (leaders, with 2 points, against 19 of Portugal and 18 of Serbia), the team only needs to make an efficient result to what the ex-Yugoslavs achieve in the trip to Israel.
Faced with a team with which they drew away in the debut in the qualifying phase (1-1, on September 16, 2021), Portugal only depends on itself, and a victory prevents the formation of the ‘quinas’ from having to ‘ look’ for the game of Nes-Ziona.
Without Catarina Amado and Jéssica Silva being injured, the Portuguese coach should not present an ‘eleven’ very different from the one he won in Serbia, by 2-1, in a comeback sealed with goals from Joana Marchão and Kika Nazareth.
In the second place, Portugal will almost certainly play in the first round of the ‘play-off’, as it is almost impossible for three to be one of the best runners-up, which will immediately guarantee a place in the second round.
To reach the 2023 World Cup, scheduled for Australia and New Zealand, from July 20 to August 20, the ‘quinas’ team will thus have to overcome two rounds, one hand, between October 03 and 11, with a draw on Friday.
Of the three defeated in the second round, the two best (results in the group stage, with first, fourth and fifth, and third in the ‘play-off’) go on to the World Cup and the third still for an intercontinental ‘play-off’ , to be played in February 2023 in New Zealand.
For now, to reach the ‘play-off’, Portugal needs to add today at least the points that Serbia and they manufacture in Israel, and the reception to Turkey is scheduled for Vizela, from 17:30, with arbitration by the check Jana Adamkova.