Group D: Portugal Atones For 2002; Pauleta Shines
1>>>PORTUGAL 9 points. Serious demons will need to be exorcised during the first round. There's no question that the Portuguese have as much firepower as any team in the tournament. Their defense is strong, too. The goaltending of Ricardo is the big question mark. Even in advancing to the finals of Euro 2004, he looked shaky. If their famously volatile tempers are controlled, a long run in this tournament is likely.
2>>>MEXICO 6 pts. The Mexicans are an enigma and possibly shaky with some questionable roster moves and two pre-World Cup warm ups of dubious distinction. The tall Jared Borgetti should be no match for the Iranians and the Angolans in what will be a straight-forward group.
3>>>Iran 3 pts. The Iranians are a rugged bunch. Hopefully for this Cup's focus they don't advance and risk the arrival of their president, which would pose an unfortunate distraction from sport. Iran's time, if it ever had one, passed between 1998 and the present. Too much reliance on older players in skilled positions like Ali Daei and Ali Karimi will bring this team down.
4>>>Angola 0 pts. It will be interesting to see the energy level of the Angolans in their first World Cup game, in addition, to playing their former colonial masters. Senegal did well against France in 2002 and the Portuguese are prone to playing down to lesser teams. Because of the familiarity of their roster with the Portuguese league, any possible points will come against their Iberian rivals.
Pivotal Match: Jun 11th. POR 4-1 ANG. Known for their maddening slow starts and habit of playing down to weaker opponents finally ends.
Group MVP: Pauleta (POR)
2>>>MEXICO 6 pts. The Mexicans are an enigma and possibly shaky with some questionable roster moves and two pre-World Cup warm ups of dubious distinction. The tall Jared Borgetti should be no match for the Iranians and the Angolans in what will be a straight-forward group.
3>>>Iran 3 pts. The Iranians are a rugged bunch. Hopefully for this Cup's focus they don't advance and risk the arrival of their president, which would pose an unfortunate distraction from sport. Iran's time, if it ever had one, passed between 1998 and the present. Too much reliance on older players in skilled positions like Ali Daei and Ali Karimi will bring this team down.
4>>>Angola 0 pts. It will be interesting to see the energy level of the Angolans in their first World Cup game, in addition, to playing their former colonial masters. Senegal did well against France in 2002 and the Portuguese are prone to playing down to lesser teams. Because of the familiarity of their roster with the Portuguese league, any possible points will come against their Iberian rivals.
Pivotal Match: Jun 11th. POR 4-1 ANG. Known for their maddening slow starts and habit of playing down to weaker opponents finally ends.
Group MVP: Pauleta (POR)
