PETALING JAYA: For the folks at the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, watching the Germany versus Portugal game earlier today turned out to be a nightmare.
Thomas Mueller's hat-trick helped Germany to a humiliating 4-0 mauling of 10-man Portugal in their World Cup 2014 opener on Monday.
Portugal's football team has strong support among the residents at the settlement with big crowds turning out at the square every time a Portugal match is shown live.
Alderly Lopez, the settlement's youth football squad goalkeeper, said Portugal's tactics did not work against Germany.
“There is no variation. They were keeping the ball down and the keeper looked shaky too. We watched the game at home and my father was fuming when he watched them play,” Lopez, 24, told The Star Online.
On Portugal defender Pepe's sent-off, Lopez said:
"He doesn’t know the right time to grab the spotlight. Pepe is a gangster. For club and country, he just wants to create chaos. He always wants to be on the spotlight and he got it on the wrong time.”
Eventhough Portugal was literally brough down to its knees by Germany, Lopez said the team will bounce back and sees them finishing second in the group.
“Portuguese spirit is very strong. They will surely fightback and go to the latter stages,” he said.
Gerard Lazaroo, 60, said the team played well but luck was not on their side and playing with 10 man didn’t help.
"The Germans were a better team. Hopefully in the next game, we will have more luck against the United States.
“As for Pepe, he shouldn’t have done that. The whole world is watching and he should have been patient. If you care for the other player and he will care for you back. Sportsmanship is key in any sports,” said the former Telekom Malaysia employee.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
