觀察者說（Billed as）

2002 déjà vu, just slightly different.

昔日重現，稍許不同。

 

實言相告(The lowdown)

Yes, this is a re-run of the Group D game of 2002, when Bruce Arena's Team USA upset the Portugal of Luis Figo and Rui Costa to win 3-2, a result that helped them through to the knockout stages behind group winners and co-hosts South Korea. That unexpected USA victory came in their opening game, this encounter comes a game later, but the Portugal of 2014 are in grave danger of exiting in the same surprisingly sorry manner unless they pick up all three points.

不錯，這是2002年D組比賽的翻版，當時美國隊以3-2戰勝了路易斯·菲戈（Luis Figo）和魯伊·科斯塔（Rui Costa）領銜的葡萄牙隊，前者也藉此位居聯合東道主韓國隊之后挺進淘汰賽。美國那場出乎意料的勝利是他們當時的第一場比賽，而這次兩隊則在第二輪相遇，不過，2014年的葡萄牙隊除非全取三分，否則將以同樣令人吃驚的遺憾方式面臨出局的嚴重危險。

 

關鍵對位(Key battle)

貝克爾曼VS穆蒂尼奧（Kyle Beckerman Vs Joao Moutinho）

While it's tempting to paint this as battle between Cristiano Ronaldo versus The Whole Of America, it's likely theUSAwill attempt to counter his threat by placing at least nine men on him at all times. In which case,Monacomidfielder Moutinho is likely to hold all the aces.

盡管關鍵對位更應該是C羅VS美國隊，但美國隊在整場比賽中可能至少派9名球員緊盯C羅，應對他的威脅。在這種情況下，摩納哥中場穆蒂尼奧可能會掌控大局。

Against Germany he topped almost every key attacking stat for the Portuguese – Passes 46/53, Attacking Third Passes 20/22, Interceptions 2, Chances Created 3. Against inferior opposition, no disrespect intended, he's likely to have more time to craft the bullets for Ronaldo and perhaps Nani to fire. Moutinho's battle with the feisty, dreadlocked American could be where the game is won and lost.

在對德國一戰中，穆蒂尼奧幾乎在所有的關鍵進攻數據上都名列前茅——傳球53次，成功46次；攔截2次，創造3次機會。此番面對更弱的對手（沒有不敬的意思），他可能會有更多機會給C羅和納尼輸送炮彈。穆蒂尼奧與梳著辮子、性情暴躁的貝克爾曼的對位可能是決定勝負的關鍵。

 

歷史數據(Facts and Figures)

? Portugal have only won 1of their last 8 games at the World Cup – the 7-0 tonking of North Korea in 2010 – drawing 3 and losing 4.

在過去的8場世界杯比賽中，葡萄牙只贏了其中的一場——2010年以7-0狂勝朝鮮，平了3場，輸了4場。

? Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 2 goals from a total of 55 shots at the World Cup.

C羅在世界杯上射門55次，進球2個。

? The USA have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 24 games at the World Cup – but they have scored in 7 successive World Cup games.

在過去的24場世界杯比賽中，美國隊只有兩場比賽沒有丟球，但他們連續7場世界杯比賽都有進球。

 

預測(Prediction)

If Ronaldo is 100%, Portugal to win 3-1. If he's not, revise that prediction downwards to the point where the USA may even win.

如果C羅正常發揮，葡萄牙3-1勝。如果發揮失常，要改一下預測比分，獲勝的甚至可能是美國隊。

 

（譯者:非石頭 編輯：王旭泉）