6/10/2006
Karolos Grohmann

NUREMBERG (Reuters) – Mexico, ranked fourth in the world, want to prove they are an improving force against Iran in Sunday's Group D game at the Frankenstadion.

Despite the departure of goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez following the death of his father, the surprise semi-finalists from last year's Confederations Cup are determined to put past World Cup failures behind them.

"We have the belief we can achieve anything after the success of the Confederations," Mexico midfielder Pavel Pardo told Reuters.

"If we play like we did then, taking every game like a cup final, then we can go even further. Maybe the final.

"We don't care about the past or what people think, we are here to change that and win," added Pardo.

Mexico, who have qualified 12 times, failed to go beyond the second round in the last three World Cups.

Captain Rafael Marquez, generally a holding midfielder, is expected to move in to central defence to direct a back five who have been shaky in recent months.

Keeper Sanchez is due to return to Germany on Saturday and will be keen to play in his first World Cup after being a non-playing substitute at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments.

Jared Borgetti, Mexico's most prolific scorer, will have his work cut out against Iran's defence.

"This is the best team in the history of the Islamic republic," said Iran striker Ali Daei.

SECOND ROUND

"We will go step by step. Our first goal is qualifying for the second round, then becoming one of the final eight."

Iran, though, have injury concerns.

Mehdi Mahdavikia is recovering from a back problem while fellow midfielder Ali Karimi, who picked up an ankle injury in March, has been resting in the hope he will be ready to go on Sunday.

Another midfield man Ferydoon Zandi has been ruled out.

Daei, the leader of the attack at 37, is ready to confound the critics who say he is too old.

"I may look old off the pitch but I feel young on the field," said the first footballer to score 100 international goals.

Portugal and Angola make up Group D.

Probable teams:

Mexico (5-3-2)

1-Oswaldo Sanchez; 3-Carlos Salcido, 14-Gonzalo Pineda, 4-Rafael Marquez, 5-Ricardo Osorio, 15-Jose Antonio Castro; 6-Gerardo Torrado, 7-Antonio Naelson, 8-Pavel Pardo; 9-Jared Borgetti, 10-Guillermo Franco.

Coach: Ricardo Lavolpe

Iran: (4-2-3-1)

1-Ebrahim Mirzapour; 13-Hossein Kaebi, 5-Rahman Rezaei, 4-Yahya Golmohammadi, 20-Mohammad Nosrati; 2-Mehdi Mahdavikia, 6-Javad Nekounam; 14-Andranik Teymoorian, 9-Vahid Hashemian, 8-Ali Karimi; 10-Ali Daei

Coach: Branko Ivankovic

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Linesmen: Cristiano Copelli (Italy), Alessandro Stagmoli (Italy)