Angola Keep Pressure on Mexico in Group D
June 21, 2006
Mexico said they are unfazed by taking on Portugal's array of stars such as Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo in their crucial Group D encounter in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.
Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 title, is keeping his starting line-up under wraps. But that does not worry the Mexicans, who have to go for the win after only following up a win over Iran with a draw against Angola.
"It shouldn't matter to Mexico whether Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco or Pauleta play," said Mexico's Argentine-born Villarreal striker Guillermo Franco. "We know they are important players who make a difference for Portugal, but what matters for us is that Mexico go out there and win to take first place in the group."
Midfielder Pavel Pardo agreed.
"A win is vital as that's the only result which really serves our purpose," he said. "Although a draw might well see us reach the next round we are only thinking of winning."
Mexico will be boosted by signs that Portugal, already qualified with maximum points from their two games, will take a more relaxed approach to the match.
"Against Mexico we can be calmer, we can rest some players and then we'll have to see what happens in the last 16," Portugal coach Scolari said.
Portugal will also be keen to continue their winning streak -- and not just for reasons of pride. Winning Group D is likely to mean missing a date with free-scoring Argentina, favorites to top the parallel Group C.
Angola left doing the math
If Angola overcome Iran in Leipzig on Wednesday and Portugal beat Mexico handsomely, the Africans would jump over Mexico and reach the last 16.
World Cup debutants Angola are aiming to create the biggest surprise of this World Cup when they take on Iran.
Written off as no-hopers when they arrived in Germany, a gritty performance to force a goalless draw with Mexico has given the southern African nation a shot at finishing in the top two of Group D.
They need to beat an Iranian team smarting from their elimination after two defeats and desperate to return home with a face-saving victory.
The odds are stacked against Angola, in addition to having to hope Portugal beat the Mexicans, Mexico also have a superior goal difference -- the next criteria after points in deciding the group positions -- so the Angolans need to score the first goals in their World Cup finals history to stand any chance of progressing.
Coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves said there was no pressure on his team because they had already exceeded all expectations.
"We had two objectives when we came here: to make our country and our continent proud and I think we achieved that to perfection in this game," he said after the Mexico match.
Iran disappointed with World Cup campaign
Iran entered the tournament with high hopes of reaching the second round for the first time but they crashed to Mexico and then Portugal, scoring a solitary goal on the way.
Their Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic was heavily criticized by the Iranian press.
"He has to be held accountable for all this extravagance and wasting of money," fumed leading sports daily Iran Varzeshi.
Brankovic could be about to hand 37-year-old Ali Daei -- the scorer of a world record 109 international goals in 148 matches -- his farewell World Cup appearance after he was dropped for the Portugal defeat.