Crisis times for goal-shy Portugal

Portugal's suffering in recent years compared with the achievements of the superpowers of Europe. His figure of four appearances in the FIFA World Cup ™ and five in the European Championship, UEFA, seems insignificant when compared with that of experienced qualifiers such as Germany, Italy and England.

However, in the last decade, the Portuguese have become increasingly virtual in major finals and has been surprised by the grand stage in more than one occasion, runner-up in the UEFA EURO 2004, fourth in Germany 2006 and achieve quarter-finals in Austria and Switzerland 2008.

Given that impressive run, Portugal were widely tipped to qualify for South Africa 2010 at a gallop. But despite that provides the current FIFA World Player Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly talented team of Carlos Queiroz are in serious danger of missing the finals for the first time since France 1998...[source]