“I wonder if we can set up a roadblock on the Argentina bus?”
Luis Figo, Portugal striker (L) Rafael Marquez, Mexico’s captain (R)
Things became interesting for a while because in the other match, Angola went one up against the Iranians. Mexico was suddently threatened with their seemingly easy entry to the round of sixteen. It required Angola to beat Iran, 3-0, with the Mexico- Portugal scoreline at 1-2, and Angola would squeak through. Mexico really picked up the pace and played exciting soccer. It was a tough match with 47 fouls and 9 yellow cards. The Portugese rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco, players with previous yellow cards. Luis Boa Morte replaced Figo, and Zinha, the pint sized Brazilian came on for Manuel Rodriguez to give more depth to the Mexican attack.
However, Iran who played the better soccer was able to pull one back and closed the door on Angola. It was curtains for both teams, Ali Daei and Team Melli and Fabrice Akwa and the Black Impalas. They played their hearts out and they should go back with the thought that they are amongst the elite in the soccer world. For Angola it was their first trip to the World Cup but it may not be their last one.
As for Portugal and Mexico, they have the unenviable task of facing Argentina or Netherlands, two teams that would not raise an eyebrow if they were to play the finals, today.
3 comments on “Group D: Mexico and Portugal through (Portugal 2 Mexico 1)”
I feel sorry for Mexico. They deserved to win, but were done in by the referee again in what is getting to be a plague of bad calls.
Before this game I felt that Portugal had a chance to go all the way. Not now, not the way they played against Mexico.
Has anyone news on this – ie: why? Did you see it?
I had an appointment the next morning & having been up all nite the previous nite- I was tempted to go to bed and watch it sometime the next day- but I thought – I’ll watch the first game- Mexico are a bit fragile- see what happens- so (SBS(Australia) showed Mex V Por first) – Mexico play hard – Portugal play well- Portugal end up winning- so I think well- Angola have a real chance against the poorest nation in the group- I’m not going to bed when history could be made- this may have been their plan – keep hanging in thru the tournament- then hopefully there’s still a chance in the last game- which is the most winnable. For the 1st half- they still played with 9 men behind ball- Akwa like the previous 2 games- left up front on his own- then pretty much the same in 2nd half- I’m thinking – well they are trying to make sure they get a hold of the game & have a real go in the last half. Akwa gets injured goes off- they have a guy who looked really good off the bench who plays for Benfica- very fast & incisive- Mantorras. He didn’t come on- another guy-Flavio came on – and amazingly scored in the 6oth minute- so they now have 30 minutes – thats HALF AN HOUR, Tim to score 2 goals (I know they wouldn’t have known exactly how much they needed- but they would’ve known- if there was achance- they would’ve needed to win by 2 or 3.
Then they pretty much still sat back- then let Iran score. It was the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen- a place is sitting there for them to take in the last 16- and they put players behind the ball – as if to say – its our first World Cup- we’re happy with what we’ve achieved!- we’re happy to go home. They got a few corners in the last 15 minutes- they STILL ONLY PUSHED 5 PLAYERS up for the corner- then in the last 10 minutes when they’re crazy keeper had the ball — he was time-wasting- waiting for the Iranian forward to rush at him- before he picked up the ball- I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. I went to bed totally demoralised & sick of World Cup 2006- If you don’t want to progress/win matches- TELL US – or dont come!
I then had to get up 4 hours later for my appointment- as you can tell – I am still in shock & demoralised.
Any news on this over in Germany or Angolan press?- Any light to shed from coach etc?
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