WORLD CUP Q+A, HERCULEZ GOMEZ

Friday, July 7, 2006 | 7:24 a.m.

The hisses and whistles aimed at Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo didn't surprise at least one fan.

Herculez Gomez, the soccer star from Las Vegas, watched the World Cup match on TV with his eye on the 21-year-old star. Herculez figured the boos were from English fans. Ronaldo, who plays his club soccer for Manchester United, had helped eliminate the English national team earlier in the tournament.

"But I was surprised how he handled it. He's a young man who has gone through a lot. He recently lost his father. And now he's being so criticized by the English media. I'm surprised he didn't succumb to that."

Ronaldo's father, Dinis Aveiro, died in September. Hours later, Ronaldo played in a World Cup qualifier against Russia.

On Wednesday, France ousted Portugal, 1-0, from the semifinals.

Herculez was hanging out with his Los Angeles Galaxy teammates on the sand in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and then feasting on Mexican food at a popular seaside restaurant. We caught up with him for another round of World Cup insight and previews.

"My teammates know I like Cristiano," Herculez said. "He comes to play. Everything he does, he does with a purpose. He's always making a positive move to goal. It was good to see him act mature through all of this."

What did you think of Italy's 2-0 semifinal victory against Germany in Dortmund?

It was Germany's tournament to lose, and they lost it. Italy didn't come to life until that second overtime. I also said Italy would be my disappointing team of the tournament, but they proved me wrong.

And Portugal-France, decided by Zinedine "Zizou" Zidane's penalty kick after Ricardo Carvalho fouled Thierry Henry in the box?

A little boring, but what I expected. Henry is so fast. When you think you got him, on defense, you don't have him. In fact, you never had him. Zizou stepped up, and it's his tournament. Portugal had chances, but people have to understand that sometimes it isn't your day. Sometimes the best team doesn't win.

Can you analyze Sunday's championship game in Berlin, starting with Italy's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon?

He made some big saves versus Germany. That shows you why he's the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. (Juventus bought him for $62 million from Parma five years ago.) He's worth it. Italy is so good because of him being its last man on defense.

Italy's defense?

Fabio Cannavaro is a beast. That guy doesn't look like he's a center-back. Going up against German striker Miroslav Klose, Cannavaro showed you why he's the captain. He takes it to you and gives it to you. He's a defender who loves to defend, and he's all about the shutout.

Italy's midfield?

Francesco Totti needs to show up. If he's going to play that withdrawn center role, he needs to show more.

I don't think he's been there all tournament. In this sport, you're only as good as your last game.

If he has a good game, everything else is forgotten. I think he'll have a good chance to run through that French central defense.

Italy's strikers?

Luca Toni should have been the talk of the tournament, as he scored 31 goals for Fiorentina last season. He has to come out. He scored twice against the Ukraine, but I haven't been convinced. Andrea Pirlo set up both goals against Germany, so he needs to have a good game for them to beat France.

How about French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez?

Probably the biggest weakness for Les Bleus. I don't think he's as secure as he'd like to be, or as he thinks he is. It'll all depend on how his first touch of the game goes.

He could be brilliant or the biggest donkey on the field. Believe it or not, he's tied with Peter Shilton of England for all-time World Cup clean sheets, with 10 apiece.

The French defense?

They're getting up there in age.

If Italy can keep them occupied with diagonal runs and flipping balls through them, the Italians will have a very fun day. But France is doing good things back there right now. Their strength is getting back, defending well and countering.

The French midfield?

As creative as it gets. They get their strength from Claude Makelele, and skill and vision through Zidane. A midfield I'd love to play with. It's all about service, service, service. And possession. They make you work for it, and you won't see a lot of the ball if you're on the other side.

The French strikers?

Henry and David Trezeguet are fun to watch. That's my position, and I like to see exciting players.

Their first touches are always positive. They're smart, fast and creative finishers. Most importantly, they know how to win games.

Many of them were there in '98. They know what it's all about.

The final score?

France, 1-0.

The main reason why?

It's been that kind of tournament. The French score their goal, then defend well. They've been steady and conservative, and that's what it takes.