June 16, 2006
CHRIS ALTRUDA, Associated Press

Portugal got everything it wanted from its first World Cup match: a quick goal, creativity on offense, steady defense and three points.

The Portuguese look for a similar effort when they continue Group D play against Iran on Saturday at Frankfurt, Germany.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team avoided duplicating its disastrous 2002 start — a 3-2 loss to the United States — with a 1-0 victory Sunday over World Cup newcomer Angola. After barely missing a goal in the opening seconds, Pauleta left no doubts about his second scoring chance in the fourth minute with a clinical finish.

But the Portuguese attack slowed thereafter, and they were unable to build up a goal differential that could give them an advantage heading into their final group match against Mexico, which also won its first match in Group D.

"It was a difficult game, but that's what we expected," said Scolari, who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title and has a personal eight-match winning streak in the World Cup. "Getting an early goal helped us settle, and we created three or four chances, if not more. Angola got better in the second half, and at times they played better than we did."

Scolari likely will make one change, adding midfielder Deco to an already talented lineup that includes Luis Figo, Cristian Ronaldo and Pauleta. Deco missed the first match with a calf injury, and his return will move Figo — the last key member of Portugal's "Golden Generation" of soccer players — back to his customary spot on the wing.

"He's been a central figure in the national team for a long time," winger Luis Boa Morte said. "He takes command of what we're doing. He's willing to take the lead.

"He's in great form and sets an example for the younger players."

While showing flashes of the aesthetically pleasing soccer Scolari had in Brazil four years earlier, the Portuguese players are concerned with simply getting results that will push them into the second round for the first time since 1966.

"Against Angola the most important thing was getting those three points. That lifted us and it's what we want against Iran," said Portuguese midfielder Petit, a member of the disappointing 2002 team.

The claims that Iran may be fielding its best squad in the country's history may be ringing hollow after a 3-1 loss Sunday to Mexico.

"Team Melli" played well at times in the first half and erased an early 1-0 deficit with a goal by Yahya Golmohammadi in the 36th minute, but defensive lapses led to two goals by Mexico in a three-minute span late in the second half.

"Some of our players need a little more international experience, and that was evident today with the defensive errors that we made," Iran coach Branko Ivankovic admitted. "When you make individual errors you pay dearly for them, but that's something that can happen to any team."

Iran is already down two starters heading into this match due to injury, and there also has been internal squabbling threatening to tear the team asunder.

Starting left back Sattar Zare was lost before the World Cup with torn knee ligaments and veteran striker Ali Daei is likely out for this match with a strained back suffered against Mexico.

During practice this week, midfielder Ali Karimi injured teammate and defender Mherzad Madanchi with a tackle from behind, and many of Karimi's teammates called out the midfielder for his sloppy play in the loss to Mexico.

Ivankovic has said he likely will make changes to his starting lineup, but with better players Mehdi Mahdavikia, Fereydoun Zandi and forward Vahid Hashemian still not match fit after recovering from injuries with club teams, the Iranian coach is hamstrung with his options.

"We simply don't have anyone better than them," Ivankovic said of his starters. "But we will use the younger ones when I decide they can contribute to the team."

Portugal will close group play June 21 against Mexico in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, while Iran and Angola play the same day at Leipzig.