Group D: Our Infallible Prediction
With Mexico, Iran and Portugal lumped in the same group there are some familiar faces in Group D to go along with World Cup virgin Angola. None of these teams, however, have ever met in previous World Cups. With three capable teams vying for two open spots this group could be one of the most interesting to watch.
Let’s start with the team on the outside looking in. Angola is a sentimental favorite of World Cup Blog. A country devastated by decades of war and poverty, it is an amazing story that the team even made the World Cup. Coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves deserves a medal for helping to keep Angolan football alive during the darkest of hours. The starting goalkeeper doesn’t even play for a club team. Its players scrape by in lower division obscurity. Our heart goes with the Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) but our mind tells us otherwise. They’ll be lucky to escape with a point.
Portugal blew apart our predictions in the 2002 World Cup, crashing out in group play. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Call me a fool but I am picking Portugal to win this group. With Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm, Portugal is a better coached and better prepared team than it was in Korea. Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Luis Figo and Pauleta . . . Portugal has too much firepower not to come out of this group. Of course, that is what I said last time as well.
That leaves Mexico and Iran battling for the second spot. Mexico is a very capable team. I’m a huge fan of goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and with Rafael Marquez anchoring the back El Tricolor will be stingy on defense. Even with midfielder Jaime Lozano scoring a ton during qualifications, I’m unconvinced that Mexico has the firepower up front to get the job done. Jared Borgetti is more than a proven goal scorer when on form and if Cuauhtemoc Blanco gets back into favor with coach Ricardo Lavolpe he could also add some punch up front. But in the end I think the goals will too few and far between in a group where goals will be aplenty.
That means Iran will advance. With only one win in three World Cup appearances Iran hardly enters the competition with what you would call a good pedigree. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t get by. With Ali Karimi causing havoc with his on the ball skills, Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian roaming up front, Iran will not lack for scoring punch. Will its defense be solid enough to advance? I think so. I see them surprising Mexico in their opener, losing to Portugal and advancing with a win against Angola.
Group Winner: Portugal
Group Runner-up: Iran
The rest of our infallible forecasts:
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.
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By Hiro | February 27th, 2006 at 9:43 pm 
I would have to agree with the previous comment. There is no doubt that Karimi will be creating Havoc, as well as Mahadavikia (not sure how to spell his name) will be on the right side. However Mexico proved themselfs to be one of the strongest teams in the world in the confederations cup of 2005. On top of that Daie is not a threat, you and I both know that. He was a star in the 90s, but the 90s is far over. If his company was not the producer of the Iran National Teams uniforms his spot on the team would not be guarenteed. I liked your prediction for Group C tho… lets see what happens
(pardon my email address, it is a real one though)
Posted from 
United States
By ShaRule | March 11th, 2006 at 1:13 pm this can happen!
and you gotta remember that this is only a prediction.
Posted from 
Belgium
By Pedro P | March 16th, 2006 at 12:09 pm Portugal might, yet again, go home after the 3rd match. But we have now essencial stuff we didn’t in 2002. Like written above: A coach, a bench and awareness. We only lack another clinical goal scorer and a substitute for Deco. Scolari has even fixed the “right and left back problems”, that hindered the team almost since Adam and Eve… And don’t be fooled by Angola or Iran’s lack of pedigree. They’re there like all the rest. Therefor, they’re dangerous. Look at England, Germany or Holland… All that pedigree and still they never win…!
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Bidemi | March 19th, 2006 at 12:05 pm HAHA
Thank you for that brief moment of comedy Bob. This brought a tear to my eye. Now let’s get back to a thing I’d like to call reality.
Portugal wins the group.
Iran are the runners-up.
The horrendously overrated Mexico goes home early.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Bidemi | March 19th, 2006 at 12:07 pm Ah, Nevermind. We have the same prediction. I skimmed through the article. You my friend are spot on.
Posted from United Kingdom
By Pedro P | March 26th, 2006 at 12:49 am Apparently, everybody puts POR above. GOOD! I hope everybody is right. ANG is weak? IRA is second? MEX is overrated? I guess you wonder that the people in all these countries are thinking: “Yeah, of course… We’ll go home, sure”
4 years ago they didn’t, why would they now?
By kapcro | April 4th, 2006 at 8:58 pm Congrats to Angola. Everything starts somewhere. Angola relax, sit back and enjoy the ride. You’ve got nothing to lose, you’re inspiring kids all over your country just by your appearance at the WC. Maybe a few future WC players will be watching. Portugal seems a pretty good bet. Second is tougher but Iran over Mexico by one or two goals.
Posted from United States
By Second opponent: Iran - FIFA World Cup 2006 - Portugal World Cup Team Blog | April 5th, 2006 at 8:32 am [...] Iran has today their most talented squad ever. They are considered the Asia’s third power and they even have their own “magical square”. They also gain Bob’s confidence in his infallible predictions. The “Team Melli” is hoping to be one of the biggest surprises this summer. So let’s take a minute to analyze them. [...]
Posted from United States
By robo | April 6th, 2006 at 2:37 am 1. Mexico
2. Portugal
3. Angola
4. Iran
JEJE, everybody can predict something can’t they?
Posted from 
Mexico
By itsme | April 14th, 2006 at 6:20 pm how can you guys say that iran is better than mexico, what has iran done? they are good but they are not better than mexico, how many times have iran beaten brazil or argentina? mexico has beaten them both, mexico has better chances.
Posted from Mexico
By Angelo Mattiello | April 20th, 2006 at 9:52 am Nobody knows for sure. Anything can happen. Apart from Angola who, let’s face it, still have a lot to learn and improve before they can reach the second stage, all the other teams can qualify.
I still believe, though, that Mexico and Portugal will qualify, with Iran being a very close third place finisher. Perhaps goal difference. Portugal has world-class players in almost every single position on the field. Mexico is a very solid squad with a good balance between attack and defense, and Iran can be a goal-scoring machine with all the talent they have up-front.
All in all, its a coin-toss…
Posted from Mexico
By Pedro P | April 20th, 2006 at 10:06 am That’s why I cannot avoid a smile, everytime I read this is an easy group… Are there easy groups…? I only see one or two and this isn’t one of them.
Mexico is always there. Iran is an “ilustrious unknown”, but everybody plays in Germany. Angola is soo bad that they kicked Nigeria out. And I still believe in Santa, sure…
Posted from Netherlands
By Ramin grysh129 | April 20th, 2006 at 10:11 am complicated ! you can say any think about this group but I’m sure Iran is atleast second and angula is abolutly forth !
Posted from 
Islamic Republic Of Iran
By Iran Announce Provisional World Cup Roster - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | April 25th, 2006 at 4:05 pm [...] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave aReply [...]
Posted from United States
By Cajun Nick | May 8th, 2006 at 8:50 am 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 getting some of the best “home” support of all the teams besides Germany.
However, talent and international experience will win out:
Portugal - 1st
Mexico - 2nd (of course, I want ConCaCaf to do well)
Posted from United States
By Sergio Holguin | May 8th, 2006 at 11:51 pm This prediction is a little ridiculous. I don’t see Mexico losing to Iran.
Posted from United States
By Wil | May 9th, 2006 at 12:26 pm I disagree with the predictions of WCB. Although I don’t have any doubt that Iran is a good team, Mexico and Portugal are clearly better than them.
Mexico is a team with talent and experience in the World Cup. Also, Mexico has improved his strategy and has good players. The Mexicans are having a good preparation and they will be in great conditions in the competition. I am sure Mexico will have a good World Cup.
1.- Mexico.
2.- Portugal.
3.- Iran.
4.- Angola.
Posted from United States
By nestor | May 15th, 2006 at 7:59 pm I m mexican so I m a little biased, I think mexico will advance in first place, with portugal in second place, reasons well mexico beat brazil in the last confederation cup, since portugal plays like brazil applying the same startegy like that applied against brazil we can beat them, then Iran well I feel that Mexico will beat them easily, and honestly mexico will struggle the most against Angola because they are really fast and that is what kills us, thats why we lost against the United States 4 yrs ago…For all the Europeans don’t be surprise to see Mexico or the US in the final, these two teams are better than what you think….
Posted from United States
By Louie | May 17th, 2006 at 3:25 pm Ok, to the guys that said Iran will beat Mexico.. REALLY??? are you seriously joking. have you seen the news, the iran team is dropping players left and right.(injuries) Mexico has great players, they might not have the “World class atheletes that play in Europe” oh yeah except, Torrado, Borguetti, Marquez,Franco” wait a minute… they do.
it’s a joke to say that iran will beat Mexico. you will see on june 21st Mexico will beat portugal.
1Mexico
2ANGOLA
3PORTUGAl
4IRAN.
actually I just did that to be crazy,., who cares about the BOTTOM 3.. mexico will win this group..
not because they will score, but because of our defense..
Posted from United States
By HurrikaneDIABLO | May 17th, 2006 at 3:53 pm I do admit, Mexico is slightly overrated as far as the FIFA rankings go. However, I wouldn’t rank them any lower than 9th or 10th in the world. Mexico has the experience and has played (and defeated) great teams. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that Portugal and Mexico are actually evenly matched, will make for a great game, and it that the group will go between the two.
Posted from United States
By Kevin | May 24th, 2006 at 5:28 pm Iran is injury free. Those who keep bringing up injury issues about Iran should pay attention to the news more often. Iran have started practicing with every starter last week.
By NOE JR | May 25th, 2006 at 2:26 am Although i am a big fan of Ronaldo (Cristiano) #7 Man Utd. my heart is with my Country MEX i dont think they are overrated we will see this saturday when they play FRANCE then the NETHERLANDS(Holland) those teams are hardcore i cant wait oh and yeah Mex will Crush Iran and Portugal…
!Borgetti #18 (BOLTON)!
Posted from United States
By John Smith | June 1st, 2006 at 3:20 pm 1-mexico
2-Portugal
3-Iran
4-Angola
By Ben | June 11th, 2006 at 8:09 am Mexico is definitly the most overrated team at this world cup. Mexico’s real place in the world of football lies well outside the top ten and anyone with a respectable amount of knowledge is aware of that fact. Mexicans are in denial. Their team is no where close to the same level as Brazil, France and other top teams. They think because every now and then they perform well in tournaments that nobody cares about such as the confederation cup that they are a top class team, whilst in reality nobody even thinks of mexico when they discussing top level football. Mexico is in the same league as teams such as Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Greece, Israel and Turkey. Just a little bit better than South Korea, Australia, Iran, USA and Japan and way way way behind the likes of Argentina, Brazil, France and Italy. And on any given day teams such as Iran, Japan and USA can beat mexico with comfortable margins given the right circumstances. They have been consistently making the second round at the world cup and miserably failing to advance any further for some time now. USA has been giving them a deserved ass whooping for a while now in competitions that matter I might add so i don’t need to prove my point beyond making that statement. Over 4 of Iranian players already play in German teams (and one in Italy)and will be feeling right at home. Iran’s team is full of stars and talents, even the names you may not have heard yet like Arash Borhani, watch this guy.
Mexic soorakheh baba. Ina behtare too resturanaye irani zarf beshooran…inaro che be footbal?
By Babak | June 11th, 2006 at 8:23 am Iran is playing with its best team ever. Mexicans are strong physically but they are shorter, have less individual tactical skills and therefore are prone to give penalty opportunities to Iranians who have couple of head strykers like Hashemian and Daei..See you here tomorrow night!
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