(Please feel free to comment or provide your own opinions/analysis.)
Group D
-Mexico (FIFA - 4th)
-Portugal (FIFA - 7th)
-Iran (FIFA - T23rd)
-Angola (FIFA - T57th)
Game to Watch: Portugal vs. Mexico. June 21st in Gelsenkirchen. This match will probably decide who comes out on top in this group. Pauleta vs. Borgetti.
David vs. Goliath: Angola vs. Portugal. June 8th in Cologne. Angola will face their former colonial rulers and a county where many of their players are based (among them the Benfica star Mantorras).
-Jared Borgetti will get a chance to prove himself again for Mexico (as he was the leading scorer in WC qualifying). This squad is way above the rest of its region (CONCACAF). By combining the experienced Sanchez and Marquez with the young Salcido and Fonseca, this will be a difficult side to beat. (Well displayed in the Confederations Cup when this squad beat Brazil.) This squad has been ranked in FIFA's Top 10 for several years and has been in the Top 5 for some time.
-Portugal has Europe's top marksman, Pauleta, and several Bundesliga-based stars. (Keep in mind...Portugal has not gone past the group stage in a WC since 1966 when it reached the semi-finals.) Figo and Ronaldo will lead the way. This team won 9 of its 12 qualifying matches and scored the most goals out of any in Europe qualifying. Matches were a rollercoaster in qualifying...this squad tied Liechtenstein at Vaduz and only won by one goal against the same team at home...however, this is also the same team that routed Russia 7-1. Midfielder Deco and Carvalho on the back line also provide additional experience.
-Iran should benefit from the fact that most of their players play right here in Germany, including playmaker Mahdavikia. This is the nation that beat the U.S. in France in 1998. Hashemian is a crucial piece to this team. Three-time Asian champions, many say this team is better than ever. Daei finished as the top goal scorer in Asian qualifying. The team's claim to fame is its heavyweight trio of AFC player of the year Karimi with midfield dynamo Mahdavikia and Hashemian.
-Angola snatched a WC spot from Nigeria during its qualifying campaign with team spirit and resilience. The squad only experienced one loss in qualifying (at Zimbabwe). More importantly, this team beat Nigeria 1-0 in Luanda and tied Nigeria 1-1 in Kano. Angolan captain Akwa has played a crucial role. The former Benfica star was the one to secure the goal in the win against Nigeria. Figueirido, Pereira, Maurito and Kalanga round up the team's talent.
Prediction:
1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola
Cappo
Group D
-Mexico (FIFA - 4th)
-Portugal (FIFA - 7th)
-Iran (FIFA - T23rd)
-Angola (FIFA - T57th)
Game to Watch: Portugal vs. Mexico. June 21st in Gelsenkirchen. This match will probably decide who comes out on top in this group. Pauleta vs. Borgetti.
David vs. Goliath: Angola vs. Portugal. June 8th in Cologne. Angola will face their former colonial rulers and a county where many of their players are based (among them the Benfica star Mantorras).
-Jared Borgetti will get a chance to prove himself again for Mexico (as he was the leading scorer in WC qualifying). This squad is way above the rest of its region (CONCACAF). By combining the experienced Sanchez and Marquez with the young Salcido and Fonseca, this will be a difficult side to beat. (Well displayed in the Confederations Cup when this squad beat Brazil.) This squad has been ranked in FIFA's Top 10 for several years and has been in the Top 5 for some time.
-Portugal has Europe's top marksman, Pauleta, and several Bundesliga-based stars. (Keep in mind...Portugal has not gone past the group stage in a WC since 1966 when it reached the semi-finals.) Figo and Ronaldo will lead the way. This team won 9 of its 12 qualifying matches and scored the most goals out of any in Europe qualifying. Matches were a rollercoaster in qualifying...this squad tied Liechtenstein at Vaduz and only won by one goal against the same team at home...however, this is also the same team that routed Russia 7-1. Midfielder Deco and Carvalho on the back line also provide additional experience.
-Iran should benefit from the fact that most of their players play right here in Germany, including playmaker Mahdavikia. This is the nation that beat the U.S. in France in 1998. Hashemian is a crucial piece to this team. Three-time Asian champions, many say this team is better than ever. Daei finished as the top goal scorer in Asian qualifying. The team's claim to fame is its heavyweight trio of AFC player of the year Karimi with midfield dynamo Mahdavikia and Hashemian.
-Angola snatched a WC spot from Nigeria during its qualifying campaign with team spirit and resilience. The squad only experienced one loss in qualifying (at Zimbabwe). More importantly, this team beat Nigeria 1-0 in Luanda and tied Nigeria 1-1 in Kano. Angolan captain Akwa has played a crucial role. The former Benfica star was the one to secure the goal in the win against Nigeria. Figueirido, Pereira, Maurito and Kalanga round up the team's talent.
Prediction:
1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola
Cappo
