Portugal vs Turkey: Portugal is in action on Thursday when they face Turkey in a must-win Semi-final clash of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
Match Details:
Teams: Portugal vs Turkey
Venue: Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Date: Friday 25th March, 2022
Time: 01:15 AM IST
Live Link: http://www.sonyliv.com/
Preview
Portugal will have one last chance to keep their World Cup hopes alive when they meet Turkey at home in this knockout semi-final clash.
The winner faces the winner of Italy/North Macedonia in a crunch final next week while the loser sees their dreams dashed.
The hosts come into this after a 2-1 home loss against Serbia in their previous Qualifier clash last month.
Sanches broke the deadlock for Portugal before goals from Tadic and Mitrovic in either half ensured Serbia qualified directly for the WC as they finished top of the table.
Portugal was left ruing the chance to book their trip and will take the play-off route once again.
On the other hand, Turkey beat Montenegro 2-1 away from home to seal 2nd spot in their qualifying group in November.
Also read: World Cup 2022 Qualification Live: Steps required for Portugal to qualify for WC 2022; check out
Beciraj scored the opener for Montenegro before Akturkoglu and Kokcu struck in either half to help the Turks win.
With that win, Turkey ensured a place in the play-offs as they aim to keep their WC dream alive.
The knockout nature of the clash leaves the contest on a knife-edge.
Both sides last met in a friendly match in 2012, where Turkey beat Portugal 3-1.
Form Guide
Portugal: LDWWW
Turkey: WWWDL
Last Matches of both teams:
Portugal 1-2 Serbia
Montenegro 1-2 Turkey
Where to watch the live streaming and broadcast of Portugal vs Turkey in India?
The match can be live streamed on the Sony LIV App, Jio TV; while the broadcast is on Sony TEN 2.
Team News
The hosts have a number of players missing out due to injuries and Covid. Pepe, Dias, Cancelo, Sanches are the ones to miss out for Portugal after Santos announced his 25-man squad.
Meanwhile, Turkey has no concerns ahead of this clash.
Portugal will be without Cancelo, Dias and Sanches for their crucial World Cup playoff match against Turkey 👀 pic.twitter.com/dZ0RbVSepL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 17, 2022
Portugal possible 11:
Patricio, Soares, Fonte, Djalo, Guerreiro, Pereira, Moutinho, Fernandes, Silva, Ronaldo and Jota
Turkey possible 11:
Cekir, Erkin, Demiral, Soyuncu, Celik, Under, Kokcu, Calhanoglu, Akturkoglu, Yazici and Yilmaz
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in his last 10 matches for Portugal 🇵🇹
They’ll need him to produce in these crucial next two matches 👀 pic.twitter.com/LIt3QIuxiQ
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) March 23, 2022
Prediction: Portugal 2-0 Turkey
The hosts will be under pressure to deliver with captain Ronaldo looking to take on the mantle.
This should be an exciting clash between two strong attacking side. However, Portugal has the more skilled, experienced players which gives them the edge.
We fancy a Portugal win.
Players to watch out for: Ronaldo, Felix, Yilmaz and Calhanoglu.
