Previewing: Group D

Predicted finish: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Angola

Group D is one of two groups (along with Group F) that features teams from four different continents. Three of the teams have previous cup experience – Mexico, Iran and Portugal – and expect to attain a spot in the round of 16. Curiously, those three teams are all managed by foreign coaches. By contrast, first-time tournament participants Angola is led by manager Luis Oliveira Goçalves, who although born in Portugal is Angolan.

Goçalves has become a national hero by leading the Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) past favorites Nigeria to qualify for Germany 2006. Angola dramatically punched its ticket to Germany by beating Rwanda with a late goal in the last qualifying game. For many years, Goçalves demonstrated success with Angola’s youth teams, and in 2003 he received the nod to manage the senior squad. He is respected not only for the qualifying run but also for his dedication to Angolan soccer. Many of his players are based in Portuguese lower divisions and the domestic league and thus will be relatively unknown to their opponents. One exception is Benfica striker Pedro Mantorras, whose starting status seems to be uncertain due to a falling out with Goçalves. Angola did poorly at the African Cup earlier this year, although it did manage to record a victory over fellow World Cup Finals debutantes Togo.

Angola features in the most compelling geopolitical match-up of the first round. On the third day of the tournament, June 11, Angola faces former colonial ruler Portugal. Angola achieved its independence in 1975, then descended into a civil war that saw over 1 million people killed and some 4 million uprooted and internally displaced. The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) controlled areas of territory in the southwest of the country for years as it carried out battle against the socialist ruling party, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). UNITA lost most of its power in 2002, when founder and leader Jonas Savimbi was killed. Advancing to the World Cup finals provided a rare opportunity for unified celebration in Angola. A competitive and heartfelt performance against Portugal would provide another such opportunity.

Angola’s independence was related to a power change in Portugal. In 1974, a coup dislodged years of right-wing rule. Portugal adopted a democratic constitution and released its colonies (save for Macau, the last vestige of the Portuguese empire, which became Chinese territory in 1999). Portugal joined the European Union (then the European Economic Community) in 1986. Although privatizing many state controlled industries and liberalizing economic policy, Portugal has not kept pace with the affluence of the biggest EU countries. As part of its larger plan to project its image internationally, attract capital investment and develop tourism, Portugal hosted the 2004 Euro Tournament. In doing so it built or renovated 12 stadiums and developed transportation infrastructure for $730 million. Portugal reached the final and then sensationally lost to the European Championship to surprise package Greece.

Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari led Portugal to the Euro final, and expectations are high for the World Cup. Scolari coached Brazil to its fifth World Cup championship in 2002 and was brought in to lead a Portuguese team that massively underachieved four years ago, bowing out in the group stage after losing to both the United States and South Korea. Portugal has a talented squad with several marquee players, including FC Barcelona’s Deco, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint Germain’s Pedro Pauleta, Chelsea’s Alberto Ricardo Carvalho and Inter Milan’s Luis Figo. Speed down the flanks with Ronaldo, Figo and Sabrosa Simao. The sublime passing and midfield vision of Deco. The finishing touch of Pauleta. If its players can click, Portugal should be downright scary. There have been periodic reports of conflict within the team. Leading up to the 2004 Euro tournament, it was reported that certain Portuguese players (Figo) disagreed with the policy of fielding players born in Brazil (Deco). More recently, Scolari scolded Ronaldo for his penchant to lose his temper and react by making boldly foolish challenges. Indeed, opposing players are aware that it is easy to get under Ronaldo’s skin – Scolari fears an unnecessary card at the wrong time could be disastrous. If Portugal can defend better than 2002, and keep up its strike rate, it stands to win this group.

Controversy has also emerged from the Mexican camp, namely the demeanor, management style and selection choices of the manager, Argentine Ricardo Lavolpe. Some in Mexico criticize the hiring of a foreign coach. Conventional wisdom holds that Mexican soccer god Hugo Sanchez will be the next manager of the national team -- and some seem impatient for the transition. Lavolpe has an antagonistic relationship with the Mexican press, and rows with players have been reported. Lavolpe’s decision not to include popular striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco on the World Cup squad did not sit well with some in Mexico.

Desperate to put 2002's round-of-16 exit to the United States in 2002 behind it, Mexico has been playing well of late. El Tricolor is now ranked fourth in the world – just overtaking the U.S., which is tied for fifth. Of course, intuitively the FIFA rankings don’t make much sense. Mexico’s momentum is due in part to Lavolpe’s selection of some younger players who have worked in well with more established performers, including FC Barcelona central defender Rafael Marquez and Bolton striker Jared Borgetti. The choice of Mexico as top seed has received criticism from some, including U.S. captain Claudio Renya. Bottom line – tough draw for the U.S. and a giant window of opportunity for Mexico, which meets Portugal on June 21. The match wraps up the group stage and will likely determine first and second place.

The wild card of the group is three-time Asian champion Iran. Managed by Croat Branko Ivankovic, Iran performed well at the 2004 Asian Cup and in World Cup qualifying. Several of Iran’s key players -- including Mehdi Mahdavikia, Vahid Hashemian and Ali Karimi -- are based in Germany. Karimi, the Asian player of the year in 2004 and the so-called "Persian Maradona," is returning from an injury sustained with club team Bayern Munich. Karimi can cause havoc when defenses give him room to run at them. If Mexico and Portugal take Iran lightly, they could find themselves fighting from a goal down.

Iran registered a historic victory in 1998, defeating the United States 2-1. Television cameras and press accounts suggest that amity triumphed over animosity in the stadium following the game. Ultimately neither team advanced from the group. Yet Iran earned a satisfying symbolic victory over a political rival, and there was dancing in the streets of Tehran. As the 2006 cup begins, Iran is involved in a political maelstrom with the United States and Europe concerning the development of its nuclear program. Lawmakers in Germany, England and the United States have already used the World Cup as a platform for advancing criticism of Iran. Sen. John McCain advocated that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee call for Iran’s ouster from the tournament. If Iran advances to the second round, expect this kind of rhetoric to intensify.

Ultimately, the top two finishers of this group go on to face the survivors of the very difficult Group C, which includes top-rated contenders Argentina and Holland.

Hunter Shobe