No more gifts to opponents, says Iran coach

NUREMBERG, June 12 (Reuters) Iran keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour gifted Mexico a goal when he failed to clear in Group D match but their coach insists there will be no more presents.

Branko Ivankovic has pledged that Portugal, who Iran meet on Saturday, would not be handed the sort of chance that allowed Mexico to take a 2-1 lead before winning 3-1.

''We gave one excellent gift to Mexico and they used it 100 percent,'' he told reporters. ''If you get such a chance you use it, especially with such high quality players like Mexico.'' ''It is very difficult to recover from that. ''We will try not to make it again against Portugal.'' Iran played an intelligent game for about 65 minutes but Mexico's second goal took the wind out of their sails and they quickly conceded a third as they slumped to defeat.

''We played very well in the first half and we could have solved a lot of problems (then),'' Ivankovic said. ''When you create an opportunity you have to grab it and we did not.'' Iran equalised eight minutes after Mexico went ahead in the 28th minute and seemed in control before falling behind again in the 76th. The third goal came just three minutes later.

''Now we concentrate on Portugal who are of course the favourites,'' said Ivankovic. ''But this is football and you never know what can happen.'' Portugal, who beat Angola 1-0, and Mexico have three points so Iran need to win on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the second round.

''They (Portugal) have good players but anything can happen at the World Cup,'' said Ivankovic, who helped steer Croatia to third place at the 1998 finals.

REUTERS PDS ND1824