Portugal, Angola ready for emotional clash

COLOGNE, June 10 (Reuters) - Angola's World Cup debut appearance against Portugal promises to be a doubly passionate encounter tomorrow with the Africans having a pair of big points to prove.

Portugal are clearly the stronger of the two teams but Angola have the desire to put one over their Group D rivals after 400 years of colonial rule and prove their qualification was no fluke.

''Every game in the World Cup is very emotional for us because it is our first time here representing out country and out continent,'' defender Delagado told Reuters.

''Against Portugal there will be even more passion because they colonised us for many, many years. Victory would mean a lot to us and to the Angolan people. It means more than just three points in the competition,'' he added.

Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, but the chaotic transfer of power to warring nationalist movements led to a brutal 27-year civil war which devastated the country's infrastructure, killed around one million people and displaced millions more.

Those Angolan players who live and play their club football in Portugal may have a few qualms about facing their adopted home.

But they are well aware of the enormity of the game and will focus their energy on representing the ''Palancas Negras'' or black antelopes with dignity.

''When we're on the pitch and the referee blows the whistle, the only thing that matters is doing our best and winning the game for Angola,'' said Angola-born midfielder Figueiredo, who left the country after independence.

Coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has described the game as massive because of the history and now friendship, cultural and business links between the two countries.

''But football is football,'' he said. ''It is different. We respect Portugal but we will give our all in this game. It will be difficult for us to win against the Portuguese but it's not impossible.'' TOUGH GROUP Portugal, however, are unlikely to let emotion stand in their way. Facing tough group opposition in the form of Mexico, they are keen to get three points in the bag from the start.

''Victory is the only result ... It has nothing to do with our opponent,'' said winger Simao Sabrosa.

The only European team to have played Angola in an international match, they clearly have the upper hand after winning 6-0 in 1989 and 5-1 in 2001.

That game which was abandoned with 20 minutes to go after the Africans had four men sent off for bad tackles and dissent.

While confident their striking force of Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pauleta will encounter few problems with Angola's leaky defence, they are mindful of so-called ''easy'' games in the past where they have let themselves down.

Portugal suffered defeats to the United States and South Korea in a sloppy performance at the 2002 World Cup and were upset by eventual tournament winners Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004 and again in the final.

''You can say we are favourites, but we have to perform on the pitch,'' said striker Nuno Gomes.

Probable teams: Angola (4-4-2): 1-Joao Ricardo; 20-Loco, 3-Jamba, 5-Kali, 21-Delgado; 17-Ze Kalanga, 8-Andre, 7-Figueiredo, 13-Edson; 19-Andre Titi Buengo, 10-Akwa.

Coach: Luis Oliveira Goncalves Portugal (4-2-3-1) 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 16-Ricardo Carvalho, 5-Fernando Meira, 14-Nuno Valente; 6-Costinha, 18-Maniche; 7-Luis Figo, 20-Deco, 17-Cristiano Ronaldo; 9-Pauleta.

Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay) Linesmen: Walter Rial (Uruguay), Pablo Fandino (Uruguay) REUTERS AD VC0732