Big Question: Who’s going to win Group D?

I agree. Portugal have been really good under Scolari.

Iran is probably the strongest team in Asia now. They’ll reach second round this time.

Mexico is not a bad team. Everytime they participate, they always reach (at least) the second round. So maybe it’s time for them to fall in the first hurdle.

Can Angola pull a Senegal? I doubt it.

i would wish to see..

Mexico
Portugal
Iran
Angola

1. Portugal – great team
2. Mexico – tradition
3. Iran – also good, lower tradition
4. Angola – will win… experience :-)

1)portugal
2)mexico (doesnt gives up in group stage atleast)
3)Iran
4)angola

Iran over Mexico? I was shoked when u thought ivory coast ad serbia would go through but surely these predictions are just outrageous. Mexico will even give a good portugal side a run for their money. Portugal and mexico to go though in a canter

Mexico
Portugal
Iran
Angola

I think, tt would be Portugal and Mexico,
http://fo.reca.st/wm.php?u=gogi.
What do you mean?

Are you serious??? Iran over Mexico? After yesterday’s predictions I had my doubts, but now I’m certain you only do this predictions to get some kind of reaction from the readers…

The group will end:
- Portugal
- Mexico
- Iran
- Angola

There is no way that Mexico will loose to Iran.

1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola

I must admit, on paper it all seems to point a POR and MEX duo, to the last 16. Group winner to be decided in the last match.

However… POR has the habit of performing poorly against easier foes. WC2002 is the best example… EC04 also showed a surprise GRE when everybody said it’d be POR and SPA. EC96 and EC00 and EC 04 show (to compensate) a nice hability from POR to play well against stronger teams and beat them.

BTW, Soze you might remember this and these are for you ;-):

http://slam.canoe.ca/SoccerEuro96/jun18_clash.html

http://slam.canoe.ca/SoccerEuro96/jun19_cro_por.html

Apart from this, there’s always the drama that involves any big competition of this type. So, I expect the unexpected and therefore some surprises in group D. Cannot say which and I hope Portugal goes through leading the group – I believe they have enough, but that’s on paper!

FORCA PORTUGAL!!! :-)

ps – just something (old) to open up the apetite…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyrsNcqueDA&search=FOOTBALL%20PORTUGAL

1) Mexico
2) Portugal
3) Iran
4) Angola

Blimey!!! Everyone predicts that Angola will be last in the group. While I think that they will not go through, I dont think that they will be bottom of the group. Is it that difficult for Angola to defeat Iran, Mexico or even Portugal? It isnt… Think about it

1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola

I think anything other than this would have to be considered a huge upset.

Portual
Mexico
Iran
Angola

T&T have played – and lost to – Mexico on a number of occasions. They are a talented, dangerous and unrelenting side.

Mexico or Portugal are going to win Group D. In my opinion, the goal average will decide the winner in this group.
I don’t see Iran or Angola beating Mexico or Portugal. However, Iran is dangerous. You never know with them.
Portugal has a really good team with great players and they should advance.
Mexico has improved a lot and has had a great preparation. It is a very talented team.
Angola will learn from this experience in the World Cup.

My predictions:
1.- Mexico.
2.- Portugal.
3.- Iran.
4.- Angola.

1. Portugal – 9 points
2. Mexico – 4 points
3. Angola – 2 points
4. Iran – 1 point

It could turn sour for Mexico if they fail to beat Iran. I reckon that they will only draw against Angola.

A lot of people are underrating the Mexican team and that’s fine.While most of the countries are in the drama of deciding what players are going to the tournament Mexico is already practicing with most of their full squad.I can understand that some of you might have reservations about the team because you don’t know the players,just because you don’t know them doesn’t mean their bad.The mexican league pays its players pretty well and many Mexicans choose not to go to Europe.The squad has played together in several tournaments and perform real well.I just can see them stumbling on the first round or losing to Angola or Iran(no disrespect for either team)for the last 2 WC they’ve played in the death groups and both time they’ve come first place.The team isn’t being overconfident about facing “weaker” opponents than in the past and the coaches have been studying both Angola and Iran for a long time and already device strategy on how to attack their weaknesses.
Iran is suffering from injuries to several of their stars I just can’t see them beating Mexico.Now our problems in the second round that’s another story….but I’m sure will rise to the ocassion and top the group again hopefully silencing many doubters from this blog.

Gotta go with the majority on this one:

- Portugal
- Mexico
- Iran
- Angola

1) Mexico
2) Portugal

Did you know what national team gives 100% on the field ? That’s Mexico.
No poses, no big-stars overestimating by press, just 100% commited and concentrated to the game.

El Aclantista: You will be surprised how the “weaker opponents” will give Mexico a run for their money. “Mexico is studying both Angola and Iran for a long time and already have a strategy to attack their weaknesses” – Angola and Iran have probably planned a strategy to attack Mexico’s weaknesses too. Big teams lose out when they underestimate opponents this way and then they have the nerve to say “Massive upset”

iran vs angola. What a game!! Wouldn’t want to miss it for the world! ;)

Might have to buy the Retro Angola Kit (see the Angola Team Blog), but selling jerseys is the most success this would-be Cinderella will have. Of course, just making the Finals is unbelievable as it is.

Iran will be in a position like the Netherlands – playing away, but because of getting some of the best “home” support of all the teams besides Germany, considering where they play club football and European immigration models.

However, talent and international experience will win out:
Portugal – 1st
Mexico – 2nd (of course, I want ConCaCaf to do well)

1. Portugal
2. Iran
3. Mexico
4. Angola

Mexico can practice as a “team” as much as they want. There are two reasons they will not make it out of D

1. Unfortunatley for them the matches will be played in Germany and not Mexico City

2. Blanco will not be there with dirty play to take the opponents mind off the game. As much as I hate the way he plays, it is effective.

Last night I just wrote a blog on my MSN space about world cup 06. I think most of the people should agree that Portugal will go to next round. Iran now is stronger day by day, but they are not so strong to defeat Mexico, Mexico has a nice world cup history.
Portuga and Mexico will go to the next round.

Mexico — 2 wins, 1 loss
Portugal — 2 wins, 1 loss
Angola — 1 win, 2 losses
Iran — 1 win, 2losses

La Volpe better hope Mexico wins their group after deep-sixing Guadalajara’s Copa de Libertadores chances.

Angola will go out, but with heads held high after nicking a win against favorites Portugal.

Pedro, EC’96, I remember it well. I still remember thinking why would Croatia want to finish second to play against Germany in the Quarters???? It did not make sense…I think both of our teams got it wrong that year. Portugal made sure to finish first in the group to play against the Czechs or Italy. Sometimes a weaker side brings out the weaker in you.

We both were ousted by our following opponents.

In this group.
1.Mexico
2.Portugal
3.Iran
4.Angola

Going out on a limb here and predicting:

1) Mexico
2) Iran
3) Portugal
4) Angola

Underachieving – it’s an Iberian thing.

Its going to be like this:

1. Mexico
2. Portugal
3. Iran
4. Angola

Mexico all the way 2006 World Cup Champions

mexico 2- portugal 2
iran 2- mexico 2
portugal 1- iran 1
iran 3- angola 1
mexico 2-angola 1
portugal 3- angola 0

1-portugal
2-iran
3-mexico
4-angola

1. Mexico
2. Portugal
3. Iran
4. Angola

Mexico all the way 2006 World Cup Champions

It should be emphasized that Mexico has been practicing for a month already while the rest of the teams in the group haven’t even named their rosters.Mexico already has an edge and the coaching staff is underrated as well just because our coaches weren’t in europe doesn’t mean they’re bad.I can tell that many heads will turn to Mexico in the WC the team has a nice mixture of youth and experience.I’m not sure if iran is playing friendlies but will be practicing strategy with top noch teams before the WC(France and Paris) I also sense that Mexico is hungry and wants to show that we desrved being named head of our group.I’m not saying that Iran is bad but I just can’t fanthom them beating Mexico,guess will have to wait till June 9 to silence doubters.

Mexico team seems weaker than the last two world cups but they still did pretty good at the confederation cup so I can not see them not making at least the Second round. Portugal should make it through but Iran has a good team so I would think that could be the upset.

I will enjoy watching the outsiders making it through to the next round and seeing you guys say “what an upset”. It will only be an “upset” because everyone chose to ignore the possibilities of them playing well enough to go through.

Look for Mexico to win this group, with a convincing win over Portugal. Then they’ll fall in the playoffs (like always)…

Portugal (another choker) should go through to the next round also, but as 2nd place.

Iran
then Angola

Soze: I realize I shouldn´t have posted the 2nd link. I fear you took it wrong… It was more to praise our teams, cos they are usually underrated. I remember very well CRO´s coach statements, at that time. I always thought it was to piss off the germans. You took revenge in 98… ;-) As for POR at that time, CZE played poorly and so did POR. I can say we owe the defeat to Baia, but I´ll stick with saying POR played even worse, which is not far from the truth.

El Aclantista (que es un aclantista?): Almost everybody puts MEX going through, half of them put MEX on top of the list. How is this underrating…? MEX has a great team and everybody knows it. Even my gandmother knows it…

Jonathan: MEX vs POR can go either way (MHO). But MEX giving POR a hammering… Just like that… HMM…

About Iran and Angola… I guess everybody forgot GRE in 2004, KOR in 2002, etc…

1. Mexico
2. Portugal
3. Iran
4. Angola

At least one of the spots will be decided based on goal difference.

PS: “Aclantista”, I suppouse, is a weird way to say Atlantista, as in someone who roots for the Atlante, a soccer club in Mexico.

Yeah you got thar right Angelo! since my team hasn’t been that good in recent years I rather disguise my loyalty a little bit!!! lol
I’m sure will come at top of the group as in our previous 2 WC now I’m just hoping we don’t crash and burn in the 2nd round as usual.I feel that after this tournament a couple of our players will stay in Europe.

ratings came out..
How will Iran beat the number 4 ranked team in the world??

Here are the listings for all the World Cup teams:

1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 Netherlands
4 Mexico
5 USA
5 Spain
7 Portugal
8 France
9 Argentina
10 England
13 Italy
16 Sweden
18 Japan
19 Germany
21 Tunisia
23 Iran
23 Croatia
26 Costa Rica
29 Poland
29 Korea Republic
32 Côte d’Ivoire
33 Paraguay
34 Saudi Arabia
35 Switzerland
39 Ecuador
42 Australia
44 Serbia and Montenegro
45 Ukraine
47 Trinidad and Tobago
48 Ghana
57 Angola
61 Togo

ahh yes Witch craft..

1.Mexico-they can win the World cup
2.Portugal-very strong team
3.Iran-unlucky to be in group with mex and por
4.Angola

You stupid people from US.FIFA rankings don’t mean anything.Your predictions are all made on them.You don’t know anything about FOOTBALL.

1-Mexico
2-Iran
3-Portugal
4-Angola

Mexico is my top fav…

I’m sorry Bob but Ahmed, Captain Hookh, al-Bundy, and the Iranian squad will not make it out of this group. Mexico and Portugal will. I would like to see Angola pull off a couple of upsets.

Its really annoying when people say that there is no way for Iran to beat Mexico…will your wrong there is nothing impossible in football so i reeeeally hope Iran will qualify to the second round.

rinaldo you should be the last person to make fun of Angola or Iran or any team coz your national team is the worst ever so go find your self a cricket site or something

rinaldo… you should be the last person to make fun of Angola or Iran or any team coz your national team is the worst ever so go find your self a cricket site or something. Have anyone ever hear of the Indian football team LOOOOL

TO EVERYONE FROM THE USA DONT FORGET WHAT IRAN HAVE DONT TO YOUR TEAM IN FRANCE 98 HEHEH. AND NOW THEY ARE MUCH STRONGER

Are we still fightidng about Mex and IRAN..
Again … i ran is good,. but a lot are hurt. Portugal looks great, with Figo and Ronaldo. It is going to be a great match between Mex and Por. But again i stress the fact that Iran will not beat Mexico. Mexico will win this group. They are so much better this time around. With experienced players. Sorry Iran fans, but unless you beat Portugal, you will go home early..
Well not early, RIGHT ON TIME

Iran is virtually injury free right now. Every starter has recovered. Most of the people here grossly underestimate Iran.

Everyone can make predictions but I would never count out Iran or Angola.

After all, Africans tend to kick white people asses in every other sport.

And one only has to look at Sengal to rember what a 1st-time qualifiying African nation can do.

After all, they beat France.

Everyone is under-estimating Iran. They are one of Asia’s strongest and despite being Asian, 3-4 of their top players play for German clubs and one players for an Italian one. Not bad for an Asian team.

Iran’s semi-crappy team beat America 2-1 during the 98 worldcup and that one point for America was kind of Iran’s fault anyway. Iran’s MUCH better now and the US got a bit far in 02.

I predict:

1.Portugal
2.Iran
3.Mexico
4.Angola

ok, well im going to be fair..

Portugal
Iran
Mexico
Angola

Portugal is a very talented team that is sure to surprise the world with powers such as ronaldo and figo.
Iran is the strongest asian team BY FAR. Japan and korea are a close second, but iran dominates the competition with players playing in bayern munich, hamburg, hertha berlin, dortmund, fc kaiserslatern. iran will have a sort of “home field advantage”being that 20% of the iranian world population lives in germany. Iran tied croatia 2-2 this morning with its subs. Iran was winning 2-1 until a 97th min. penalty by croatia, overall a good game for iran considering croatia defeated argentina 3-2 just 1 week ago.
Mexico is deemed to be the star of the group , but personally they play very physical and maybe physical play works against other physical latin american teams, but iran and portugal play a more technical game.
Angola will surprise everyone by upsetting mexico.
we will just wait and see : )

Agree with Aray and Alex.

Portugal
Iran
Mexico
Angola

GROUP D Predictions by Dave Hamilton

Advancing: PORTUGAL and MEXICO

PORTUGAL Look for the best coach in the tournament, Luiz Filipe Scolari, and some of the very best talent available in any national side to make a run at this year’s big prize. A master of many formations, Scolari will likely open with his 4-2-3-1 formation but opt to shift constellations depending on the opponent and game situation. Pauleta is the point man in the attack and is rounding into form at just the right time. An obscene wealth of midfield talent prowls behind him, most notably icon Luis Figo, electrifying wingman Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, and ball-winners Costinha, Tiago and Maniche. The back line features two of the very best anywhere: Chelsea ace defenders Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho, the latter always a threat to score as well. Nuno Valente rounds out the wall. Ricardo Pereira, who also does quite well with shootout kicks, returns in goal. Even “Big Phil’s” reserves like Fernando Meira, Simao Sabrosa and Helder Postiga would be good enough to beat quite a few Cup sides with a minimal supporting cast. It is difficult to imagine Portugal not advancing deep into this Cup, but as always, the suspicion that they cannot win the big one remains. But for now..FORCA PORTUGAL!

MEXICO Steady and determined, the Mexicans are led by star striker Jared Borgetti, who has benefitted from coach Ricardo La Volpe’s attacking style of play (most often a 3-5-2). Fellow strikers Guillermo Franco and Omar Bravo — as well as midfielders Ramon Morales and Jesus Arellano, who can both switch to forward — keep defenses honest. Gerardo Torrado, Pavel Pardo and Luis Perez are also dependable in midfield. In the rear Rafael Marquez, Ricardo Osorio, Carlos Salcido are expected to be on station and, if La Volpe goes with one more, probably Gonzalo Pineda. As a unit, they support each other well. And keeper Oswaldo Sanchez will be stingy as always. Although highly ranked by FIFA, I am not convinced Mexico can prevail against marquee clubs like Brazil, Portugal and Argentina. But if La Volpe can stay focused on football instead of the press, the Mexicans should battle through.

ANGOLA The Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) may appear to be an extreme longshot, but look for one of Africa’s most capable strikers, uncontracted team captain Akwa, to use this stage to land big money abroad (teams are finally wising up to the enormous potential of African forwards like Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba). Throw in one of the most underrated, but superb, coaches in Portuguese Luis De Oliveira Goncalves and an opener that should bring out Angolan national pride since the Africans were under Portuguese colonial rule for five centuries or so, and you might have a topsy-turvy group. Benfica’s Pedro Mantorras and Flavio give Angola good depth at the point of attack, although as a unit, they do not pour in goals as a general rule (read: they will probably be blanked by top defenses). If you see a white spot in the herd of Antelopes, that’d be central distributor Figueiredo, who accepted Goncalves offer after determining Portugal wasn’t going to call. André will be key in organizing the midfield too, while Delgado, Jamba, Kali, Loco and Marco Abreu set up perimeter around goalie João Ricardo. I am picking them to surprise the pundits.

IRAN will be no pushover in this group either, but head coach Branko Ivankovic’s optimism has to be dimmed by a spate of recent injuries to key personnel. Led by ageless forward (37, not a misprint, but functions as well in a midfield role) Ali Daei, the Iranians will need to rely more on guile, hustle and luck than talent to make serious noise. Reza Enayati and Vashid Hashemian will help Daei to assault the net. Midfielders Ali Karimi of Bayern Muenchen renown and Freydoun Zandi may also not be 100 percent, but left wingman Mehrzad Madanchi has stepped up his game and looked good in recent friendlies. The defending is at times porous and could be a critical factor against teams which press the action. Iran’s biggest concern is whether star Mehdi Mahdavikia will be fit following a back injury. If not, ship the Persians to the bottom of the ladder in this group.

Well even tho im from irn, i still think they will be luckt to get through the first round.
BUT THELE MAKE IT
1.portigul
2.iran

1.Portugal
2.Iran
3.Mexico
4.Angola

1.Portugal
2.Iran

Iran vs Mexico
4-3

Iran vs Portugal
1-2

Iran vs Angola
3-1

Mexico vs Iran?
There is no doubt this Iranian Team could win Mexico, and Angola. Iran may have a little problem winning Portugal, may Iran 2, Por 2. Iran would be one of two teams to go to the next round.
USA

i agree with Khalid. rinaldo has no room 2 talk. half of the people here dont even know anything about soccer. they are basing it on fifa rankings. well answer this.

how can one of the teams be ranked 61 and make it to the world cup. anything can happen. that team could get lucky and beat a team like brazil. why do you think that they play the games instead of just deciding the winner. anything can happen.

all the people that are using the rankings are underestimating iran and even portugal.

I remember when everyone said that Iran would never beat the USA teeam in 98, and I took a fat check to the bank on that game. This sunday, I going to get another fat check because Iran will beat Mexico!

mexico to win the world cup! 2-1 in final v Brazil.

1. Portugal
2. Iran
3. Angula
4. Mexico

:)

Mexico will kick Irans ass by two goals ,
than mexico will beatAngola by two goals,an than after that mexico will beat portugal by one goal.

portugal
mexico
iran
angola

Since I am portuguese I’ve got to put them on the top. But honestly I do think they’re good. Pauleta is an amazing striker, loved the hat trick against Cape Verde. Simao Sambrosa is also excellent scoring 2 goals against Luxembourg. We’ve also got Deco, Ronaldo, Figo, Maniche, Nuno Valente and hopefully Nuno Gomes.

mexico beat iran haha!!!!