Euro 2016: Portugal relishing easy Group F

2004 finalists odds-on favourites to top group featuring Austria, Iceland and Hungary

KARACHI: Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will be rubbing their hands in delight as they take on the likes of Austria, Iceland and Hungary in a relatively easy Group F.

Austria and Portugal both topped their respective qualifying tables, and have the capacity to run riot in the group stages, despite debutants Iceland showing some promise by managing to finish second in Qualifying Group A. Hungary, meanwhile, defeated Norway in the play-offs to reach the tournament.

Portugal may be considering themselves odds-on favourites to top their group but may be in for a surprise from a well-balanced Austrian side that went through qualification unbeaten.



Austria

PHOTO: REUTERS

Austria’s only other appearance in the Euros was in 2008 where they failed to win a single match and were subsequently knocked out of the tournament.

However, the current Austrian side is arguably the strongest in their history, backed by the skills of players like top-scorer Marc Janko, Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and Stoke City’s Marko Arnautović.

Up against Russia, Sweden, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, and Moldova in the qualifying round, the Austrians won nine matches and gained 28 points to top Qualifying Group G.

Still, their poor run of form in recent international friendlies can be a source of worry for fans. The side mustered wins against Albania and Malta but suffered defeats at the hands of Switzerland, Turkey, and the Netherlands.



Portugal

PHOTO: AFP

Portugal usually shine in the Euros but have never won the trophy. They have participated in the tournament six times previously and reached the quarter-finals twice, semi-finals thrice and the final once.

However, the defeat to Greece on home soil in the Euro 2004 final must still gall Portugal fans.

With the likes of three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, his Real teammate Pepe and former Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho in the squad, Portugal have plenty of experience within their ranks.

They qualified for the tournament with seven victories in eight matches against Albania, Denmark, Serbia and Armenia. Their only loss was an embarrassing defeat at home against Albania. But they still managed to top the group with 21 points.

In the run-up to the tournament in France, Portugal have successfully overcome Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway and Estonia in friendlies but have lost to Russia, Bulgaria and England.



Iceland

PHOTO: AFP

Iceland are competing in the Euros for the first time in their history, having qualified from a tough group that included Czech Republic, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Latvia and the Netherlands. However the minnows surprised everyone and finished second behind leaders Czech Republic.

Their performances meant Turkey had to qualify via the play-offs, while traditional giants Netherlands missed out on the tournament altogether.

They won six out of their 10 matches and only lost two; away to Turkey and Czech Republic. They scored 17 goals and only conceded six, with Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring six goals. With Eidur Gudjohnsen also in their ranks, Iceland certainly have the capacity to cause an upset. However, the side have had a poor run in recent friendlies; losing to Poland, Slovakia, UAE, USA, Denmark, and Norway.

Hungary

PHOTO: REUTERS

Hungary are one of the biggest surprises in this year’s tournament, having qualified at Norway’s expense in their play-off.

France will be Hungary’s first Euros in 44 years after they accumulated 16 points in 10 games. That was enough to see them finish third in a Qualifying Group F that also featured Northern Ireland, Romania, Finland, Faroe Islands, and Greece.

Wins over the Faroe Islands and Finland helped them through but they will find goings tough at the Euros, especially considering their abysmal recent record in friendlies where they have failed to win even a single game.



Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2016.

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