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WHO WILL RULE THE WORLD????
GROUP D PREVIEW THANKS TO J-MO FOR THE STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND STAR MAN |
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MATCH SCHEDULE 11 JUNE 2006
MATCH 7: MEX vs IRN, Franken-Stadion, Nurenburg, 6:00PM
MATCH 8: ANG vs POR, Stadium Cologne, Cologne, 9:00PM
16 JUNE 2006
MATCH 23: MEX vs ANG, Stadium Hannover, 9:00PM 17 JUNE 2006
MATCH 24: POR vs IRN, Walstadion, Frankfurt, 3:00PM
21 JUNE 2006
MATCH 39: POR vs MEX, Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 4:00PM
MATCH 40: IRN vs ANG, Zentralstadion, Leipzig, 4:00PM NOTE: All times local German Tiime, Matches correspond to FIFA World Cup Match Schedule
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ANGOLA
FIFA WORLD RANKING: 57 (As at April 2006) QUALIFICATION: Won African Zone Group 4 BEST RESULT: 1st appearance in Finals JAPAN/KOREA 2002: Failed to Qualify for finals COACH: Luis DE OLIVEIRA GONCALVES (Angolan) SQUAD:
KEEPERS: JOAO RICARDO (Unattached), LAMA (Petro Atletico, Angola), MARIO (InterClube, Angola)
DEFENDERS: DELGADO (Petro Atletico, Angola), JAMBA (AS Aviacao, Angola), KALI (FC Barreirense, Portugal), LEBO LEBO (Petro Atletico, Angola), LOCO (Primeiro Agosto, Angola), MARCO ABREU (Portimonense, Portugal), MARCO AIROSA (FC Barreirense, Portugal), RUI MARQUES (Hull City)
MIDFIELDERS: ANDRE (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), EDSON (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal), FIGUEIREDO (Varzim, Portugal), MENDONCA (Varzim, Portugal), MILOY (InterClube, Angola), ZE KALANGA (Petro Atletico, Angola)
FORWARDS: AKWA (unattached), ANDRE TITI BUENGO (Clermont Foot, France), FLAVIO (Al Ahli, Egypt), LOVE (AS Aviacao, Angola), MANTORRAS (Benfica, Portugal), MATEUS (Gil Vicente, Portugal)
PRESENT STAR MAN: Benfica striker Pedro Mantorras has yet to achieve his potential, partly due to a knee injury, but has the ability to take over from Akwa as the focal point of the side.
STRENGTHS: Goncalves has moulded the team into a very efficient
defensive unit and they will be looking to cause a major shock in Germany.
WEAKNESSES: The team lacks a playmaker of international class and they can sometimes struggle for goals.
ODDS TO WIN (All prices courtesy of TAB Sportsbet Australia, current as of 27/5/2006):
TOURNAMENT: $1001
GROUP: $19 |
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IRAN
FIFA WORLD RANKING: 23 (As at April 2006) QUALIFICATION: 2nd in Asian Stage 3 Group B BEST RESULT: 1st Round 1978, 1998 JAPAN/KOREA 2002: Failed to Qualify for Finals COACH: Branko IVANKOVIC (Croatian) SQUAD:
PRESENT STAR MAN: Ali Karimi has plenty to offer, notably his ability to take on defenders, and exceptional ball skills.
STRENGTHS: They boast some good quality in their forward line. Veteran Ali Daei is one of the most prolific goalscorers in international football, while Vahid Hashemian has great aerial ability.
WEAKNESSES: The squad has a lack of top-level experience, particularly in defence.
ODDS TO WIN (All prices courtesy of TAB Sportsbet Australia, current as of 27/5/2006):
TOURNAMENT: $851
GROUP: $19 |
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MEXICO
FIFA WORLD RANKING: 4 (As at April 2006)
QUALIFICATION: 2nd in CONCACAF Stage 3 BEST RESULT: Quarter Finals 1970, 1986 JAPAN/KOREA 2002: 2nd Round COACH: Ricardo LA VOLPE (Argentine) SQUAD: PRESENT STAR MAN: With fiery striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco not selected there will be increased pressure on Bolton's non-playing striker Jared Borgetti in front of goal.
STRENGTHS: The goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez is in the form of his life and along with the solid defence and presence of Marquez, Mexico should be able to keep it tight at the back.
WEAKNESSES: Scoring against Dominica is slightly different to scoring against Argentina. Of the two who could hit the back of the net, Blanco
has not been selected and Borgetti has hardly featured at club level for Bolton this season.
ODDS TO WIN (All prices courtesy of TAB Sportsbet Australia, current as of 27/5/2006):
TOURNAMENT: $61
GROUP: $2.30 |
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PORTUGAL
FIFA WORLD RANKING: 7 (As at April 2006) QUALIFICATION: Won UEFA Group 7 BEST RESULT: 3rd Place 1966 JAPAN/KOREA 2002: Group Stages COACH: Luiz Felipe SCOLARI (Brazilian) SQUAD:
KEEPERS:
DEFENDERS:
MIDFIELDERS:
FORWARDS:
PRESENT STAR MAN: Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is the heir apparent to Figo. With his dazzling feet and blinding skills he has the ability to illuminate the finals.
STRENGTHS: Solid in defence, exceptional in midfield and with plenty of options in attack, Portugal are not short of highly-rated personnel.
The remaining players from the 'golden generation' of Portuguese football are determined to win a major trophy.
WEAKNESSES: Despite the exploits of Pauleta in qualifying he has failed to deliver in major tournaments. The goalkeeping position remains a major problem. Quim and Ricardo are competing for the jersey that many want to be seen given to the out-of-favour Vitor Baia.
ODDS TO WIN (All prices courtesy of TAB Sportsbet Australia, current as of 27/5/2006):
TOURNAMENT: $26
GROUP: $1.72 |
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OTHER GROUP PREVIEWS
GROUP A
GROUP B
GROUP C
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SPECIAL THANKS goes to the team at The World Flag Database (http://www.flags.net) for the national flags that help make the images. |
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