Angola must end goal drought against Iran

BERLIN, June 20: Angola must end their goal drought against already eliminated Iran tomorrow to have any chance of qualifying from Group D and will hope former colonial masters Portugal help them out by beating Mexico handsomely.

Coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has started the first two games using a solid 4-5-1 formation, with captain Akwa as a lone striker, but with goals at a premium he may opt to beef up the attack with Benfica frontman Mantorras.

''Angola have to score goals so naturally we have to play with a more offensive formation,'' assistant coach Alvaro de Almeida Mabi told Reuters yesterday.

''We are also playing against very strong opponents who don't want to leave the tournament with three defeats.'' Portugal have already qualified for the second round and will be joined by Mexico unless the Mexicans lose to the Portuguese and Angola beat Iran. Even then goal difference would decide who finishes second and plays the Group C winners.

Playing at their first World Cup, the Angolans have shown there is more to their country than war and strife and surprised everyone including themselves by keeping their qualifying hopes alive with Friday's gutsy 0-0 draw against Mexico.

''We are sure (the Mexico) game will give a better image of our country and we are putting in a very strong effort also for Africa,'' said goalkeeper Joao Ricardo, whose acrobatic display against the Mexicans earned him the Man of the Match award.

Despite their early exit, Iran's players have said they want to put in a strong performance in their final game to help save face and add to their only World Cup finals victory to date, a 2-1 win over the United States in France in 1998.

''Obviously, it's a matter of honour and pride for us now and we'll give it our best shot in our last game and bid the tournament a worthy farewell,'' said midfielder Ferydoon Zandi.

''We'd like to finish third in the group, but we're well aware Angola will provide tough opposition.'' Iran's exit has scuppered a potentially embarrassing visit to Germany by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, under fire in a nuclear dispute and widely condemned for denying the holocaust.

Germany's right-wing extremist NPD party has voiced support for the Iranian leader and labelled those who condemn his holocaust denial and verbal attacks on Israel as ''slaves to political correctness''.

Some 200 NPD supporters marched in support of Iran through Gelsenkirchen on the second day of the finals. A spokeswoman for the NPD in Berlin said yesterday the party was not planning a similar march in Leipzig tomorrow.

REUTERS