JAKARTA - Portugal has definitely qualified for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. However, they still have to finish the last match against South Korea (South Korea), Friday, December 2 night.
It is possible that Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested. This was conveyed by the Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos at a press conference ahead of the match against South Korea.
The coach felt that the meeting would not be too crucial, so Ronaldo might be pushed over for fitness in the knockout phase.
"Will he (Cristiano Ronaldo) play? The opportunity is good, we will see later. It depends on the results of his training today, is he in good condition," Santos was quoted as saying by ESPN on Friday, December 2. "We have prepared a plan if he doesn't play," he continued.
Against South Korea, Santos has the opportunity to rotate the team formation. This was done by the coach on the grounds of reducing the pressure of the main players who had gone all out in the previous two matches.
In addition, the injuries of Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira, and Otavio made the Portugal squad start to worry. Therefore, in order to avoid further storm injuries, Santos felt the rotation needed to be done.
"I believe in all my players, now I have lost three players, let's see the other players," said Santos.
"Playing every four days is tough, the players are exhausted, which can lead to stress and eventually injury. Winning and topping this group is crucial because we have additional holidays to optimally restore the condition of the players," he explained.
Portugal only needed a draw against South Korea to ensure itself as group winners. The Selecao also still have a chance to top the standings if Ghana fails to beat Uruguay.
But if Portugal loses and Ghana wins, the determination of the group winner will be seen from the difference in goals in the final standings.
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