World Cup 2006 Team Profiles – Group D
Mexico
World Cup Appearances: 13th Appearance; 4th Consecutive
Best Finish: Quarterfinalists (1970, 1986)
Key Players: Rafael Marquez, D; Jared Borgetti, F; Omar Bravo, F
Notes:
The Mexicans are another team who fall into the category of team that has world-class ability but lack the World Cup championship to elevate them into the same breath as the world’s elite. This year’s team is as good as ever, and they have strong aspirations to make their stay in a successful one.
They were focused during CONCACAF qualifying, and yielded only a loss in the U.S. and a draw against Panama. They dominated their qualifying group and remain a level above everyone else in the region. Led by manager Ricardo Lavolpe, many seem to consider them the favorite in their region despite the power of the Portuguese team.
There are names that are familiar to the world on this roster. Key for them is in defense, and it starts with World Cup and internationally experienced Rafael Marquez. He’s probably got as big of a profile outside of Mexico as it is within his homeland. He’s been on the field for Barcelona since 2003 and they have played well with him as the base of the defense. Marquez balances an ability to always be in the right place at the right time with his nose for the ball. Although he is strong, he rarely has to be physical and only does so when it is necessary. The base of his game is his ability to rarely make mistakes and make the safe play for his team. That is a goalkeepers’ best friend. You also know that he can play internationally, bucking the trend of Mexican nationals who have not faired well in Europe’s top leagues.
Another key player is the man who holds the best rate of goals scored internationally in Mexican football history, Jared Borgetti. He’s tallied 38 times in only 76 international games for the Mexican national team and is looking to have a lasting impact on the World Cup 2006. He’s now Mexico’s all-time leading scorer and has the potential to add to that total when they go to Germany. He can score with a wide assortment of skills, from headers in the penalty area to long kicks; Borgetti has got that scoring ability that people look for when they talk about natural scorers.
Although they are favored in their group, they’ve got to remain focused, a problem that they have been plagued with. They are not among the world’s elite teams, but all it takes for the Mexicans to win any given match is a focus and concentration.
Angola
World Cup Apearances: Initial Appearance
Best Finish: n/a
Key Players: Akwa, F; Flavio, F
Notes:
A team that is new to the World Cup stage and low on experienced international performers, Angola will head to Germany as the team no one expects anything out of in Group D. That could play right into their hands. Remember, the World Cup is the gathering of the best 32 squads from around the world and they could surprise a team like Mexico or Portugal, who might sleep on this African team.
What is impressive about their qualifying is that had to beat out the Nigerians, one of the few traditional African powers that have had some success in international play. They also overcame a slow start in qualifying, which included the dismissal of their manager before moving onto the group stages of African qualifying. They were dominant at home and were able to take their success and build upon it to earn their trip to Germany.
Their captain, Akwa, had a so-so qualifying campaign. He only scored three times during the entire qualifying process, but you can make the case that every goal he scored had a great significance for his side. The biggest goal was the game-clincher against Rwanda, which led them to the top of their group. He played in Portugal for much of his early career before heading out to Qatar, where he currently roams the fields. Easily one of Africa’s top players, it’s his combination of strength, speed, and skill that makes him dangerous in the attacking part of the field. He remains the focal point, even though emerging young talent is threatening to replace him eventually. For now, he is and will be the captain and top player.
For them to be successful, they should be play to the role of spoiler. No one expects them to be strong, but if they can capture a win against and either draws against both Portugal and Mexico, or getting a needed upset against one or the other, we could see them in the elimination round.
Portugal
World Cup Appearance: 4th Appearance; 2nd Consecutive
Best Finish: 3rd Place (1966)
Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, MF; Pauleta, F; Luis Figo, F
Notes:
This Portuguese team is known for having set a lot of new marks and being a formidable team during qualifying. Let’s take a look at the fact that they scored 35 goals while only surrendering 5 in all of qualifying. Or maybe the fact that they were victors in 9 of their 12 total qualifying matches. They finished seven points ahead of the second place team in their group, and those 35 goals were the most scored by any European team in qualifying.
This Portuguese team has their own version of national legend Eusebio, and his name is Pauleta. Already having overtaken Eusebio with 41 international tallies for the Portuguese team, he’s going to be the focal point of that offense. And can you blame them? He’s got that nose for the goal. No matter where he’s positioned in the attacking third, if he can get a touch on the ball and some clear space, he can be as dangerous as anyone in the world.
Luis Figo returns to the teams, about a year and a half after announcing his retirement from football back in 2004. Although he is not the player he once was, he did not return simply to be a figurehead, but he’s also got some more help like Pauleta. He’s simply amazing with the ball, making graceful moves and decisive actions that more often than not giving them chances to score. He’s gifted with crosses and is deadly accurate with his passing, a key ability to have when teamed with players like Pauleta and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking of Ronaldo, although Pauleta is the top scorer and Figo the most experienced, the biggest name on this team might just be the youngest. Cristiano Ronaldo, just 21 years of age, has been one of the world’s biggest rising stars when it comes to international acclaim. Being featured in advertising worldwide, including a funny ESPN ad here in the U.S., he’s got the superstar good looks and the game to back it up. He’s got such acceleration on the field, it doesn’t even look like he’s moving that fast at times, yet blowing by the opposition’s midfielders and backs. He’s got a sweet touch with his passing and can be electric.
The key for is being consistent throughout the entire process. They could definitely beat out the Mexicans for the top spot with solid play and they’ve got the talent to do so. Ronaldo, who is already a huge star, could break into Beckham, Ronaldinho, and Zidane status by the time this tournament is through.
Iran
World Cup Appearances: 3rd Appearance; Last – 1998
Best Finish: Group Stages
Key Players: Ali Karimi, MF; Mehdi Mahdavika, MF; Vahid Hashemian, F
Notes:
Don’t get confused after watching Iran play a game. They are not a European team, they are really from Asia. You might not recognize them because of their style of play, very ‘European” to contemporaries and analysts worldwide. But again, to remind you, you will be watching the Iranians, and they are a dynamic team, another one that if you sleep on, they can cause confusion.
Their road to qualifying was not always smooth, but they were able to shift gears after a loss to in June of 2004 and rebound enough to get them entered into for the World Cup. Ali Daei led them in qualifying tallies with 9, but they’ve got weapons deep on their roster, especially with the return of striker Vahid Hashemian, who was based in Germany.
Hashemian, whose nickname in German is translated as ‘The Helicopter,’ was not guaranteed to return to the national side after having problems with former coach Miroslav Blazevic. It was new coach Branko Ivankovic who persuaded him to return to international team duty, and I’m sure they are all glad he agreed. He made his presence known almost immediately during qualifying, scoring an important goal against in the game following his return. Hashemian is a strong scorer who’s able to match defenders who look to front him and deny him the ball. He’s very adept at getting himself open and making space for him to shoot the ball. Once he’s got space, he’s excellent at putting the ball behind the keeper.
He’s not alone, though. Karimi Ali, also based in Germany, is also looking to make a good impression on the World Cup stage. He’s a playmaker at the highest sense of the word, and he’s ability to create those chances for his teammates are what make him invaluable to the Iranian team. Of course, he’s also known for a sense of composure that is hard to duplicate. It’s not a learned trait, it’s his personality, and his side feeds off it on the pitch.
The same thing can be said for Iran that was said about Angola. They need to win against and steal some points from either Portugal or Mexico in order to advance. It’s a tall task, but this team, if they can get it done, will surprise a lot of people with their solid play.
