World Cup Countdown (Part Four)

If Group C is the “Group of Death” then Group D ought to be a goalfest.

Portugal are clear favourites to finish top of the pile. Despite the fact that the “Golden Generation” failed to deliver in 2002 and Euro 2004, this side are surely not going to fail to reach the second round, taking in some valuable shooting practice in the matches against Angola and Iran. However, 2002 brought some lessons home to the Portuguese, finishing third behind the Koreans and the USA. This time, they will be prepared for the Iranians to hold out for a while and will not be so cock-sure when playing against them. Personally, I have always found the Portuguese to be overrated, the media blinded by the talent of Figo and exaggerating the skills of the forwards such as Nuno Gomez. To me, they are solid team, comfortably in the ten best of Europe and a reasonable expectation of being in the top sixteen in the World. Yet Euro 2004 aside, they have never delivered over a consistent period of time in much the same way that England fail consistently. This time round though, the squad seems thin on the ground in genuine World Class players. Vitor Baia is no longer on the International scene and his successors are decent enough but do not fill forwards with trepidation in the way that say, Buffon, can. Defensively, Ferreira is a good Right Back but Carvalho seems overrated based on his performances in the Premier League at least. In midfield, Ronaldo has youthful exuberance on his side but is that enough? Too often he is double-teamed by English defenders and is forced inside where his abilities are diminished. Simao Sabrosa is a highly rated Winger, by Rafa Benitez at least, giving width and the ability to score from distance but much will rest on Pauleta to score the goals they need. Having won through the Group stage, their likely opponents will be Argentina or Holland and I cannot see them having enough to get into the Quarter Finals.

Mexico are consistent qualifiers for the Finals and an average side. They are capable of performing well on their day but equally of being extremely brittle when physical battles kick in. This tournament looks to be no exception and like Portugal, I cannot see them going beyond the Second Round. I would expect them to make hay in the sunshine in the Group phase, capable of getting a point from the Portuguese and their forwards more than able to score a hatful against the whipping boys from Angola and Iran. Guillermo Franco gave Arsenal’s defence a tough time in El Madrigal but Jared Borgetti has not set the Premiership alight for Bolton this season. In defence, Rafael Marquez has been solid and has the ability to mark through positional and physical play, as Thierry Henry can vouch. In finding space for his son-in-law Rafael Garcia, Mexican coach Ricardo La Volpe may have taken the phrase “footballing family” one step too far as the player omitted was Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the country’s top scorer. Despite beating Brazil in the last Confederations Cup, they have an abysmal record against the top teams; European sides enjoy playing them only defeated in two of the last eight meetings. Nothing inspires me to believe they have the firepower to progress into the Quarter Finals yet the Confederations Cup – holders are widely fancied as a dark horse. I would not call the horse dark, merely invisible.

Iran come with no expectations beyond their own fans, probably buoyed by the recent 5 – 2 demolition of European giants, Bosnia. Indeed, it is more likely that the media will give column inches to the potential diplomatic row if President Ahmadinejad decides to try to attend their matches than the team itself. Despite their lack of history, coach Branko Ivankovic is still aiming for a second round place which will no doubt bring him a contract elsewhere with a first – class ticket out of Tehran.

Angola are the final combatants and undoubtedly Africa’s weakest representatives. They will be well motivated for their opener against Portugal but the matches between the two have common aspects; Angola get thrashed and their team falls apart, with red cards aplenty. This time, I doubt anything will change and it may be worth a punt at the bookies to see if Portugal can reach double figures in their match. Much can be read into their coach, Oliviera Goncalves comments, “These are the best players we have available in terms of quality and we’re going to prepare the best we can with them. We are going to try to create a cohesive, determined team that will fight to the end.” Given the exuberance of previous African teams in their first tournaments, the Portuguese and Mexicans can expect to have lumps kicked out them in an attempt to minimise the damage. Angola will no doubt try hard and deserve respect for qualifying but they are one of three teams I genuinely fear will get absolutely hammered in their three games. May their God be on their side.

Predicted Results

Mexico	4	-	1	Iran
Angola	0	-	6	Portugal
Mexico	5	-	0	Angola
Iran	0	-	4	Portugal
Portugal	2	-	2	Mexico
Iran	3	-	0	Angola

Predicted Table

	Pl.	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts.
Portugal	3	2	1	0	12	2	+ 10	7
Mexico	3	2	1	0	11	3	+ 8	7
Iran	3	1	0	2	4	8	- 4	3
Angola	3	0	0	3	0	12	-12	0

Arsenal Players in the Group

None

Players that Arsenal should sign

None

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