June 19, 2006
Reuters

Iran play Angola in their third match of World Cup Group D on Wednesday:

Where: Leipzig
World Cup capacity: 43,000
When: Wednesday June 21, 1600 local time (1400 GMT)
Referee: TBA

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps and goals:

Angola (4-5-1)

1-Joao Ricardo (28-0); 20-Loco (13-0), 3-Jamba (37-0), 5-Kali (23-0), 21-Delgado (19-0); 17-Ze Kalanga (25-4), 15-Rui Marques (2-0), 7-Figueiredo (24-2), 11-Mateus (6-2), 14-Mendonca (36-3); 10-Akwa (79-36).

Coach: Luis Oliveira Goncalves

Iran (4-4-1-1)

1-Ebrahim Mirzapour (66-0); 13-Hosein Kaebi (46-1), 5-Rahman Rezaei (45-3), 3-Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh (32-3), 20-Mohammad Nosrati (46-3); 2-Mehdi Mahdavikia (91-11), 8-Ali Karimi (92-33), 7-Ferydoon Zandi (11-1), 21-Mehrzad Madanchi (9-3); 14-Andranik Taymoorian (9-1); 9-Vahid Hashemian (30-11)

Coach: Branko Ivankovic

Team news:

Goncalves is likely to stick with the same 4-5-1 formation he has started with in the last two games. But with goals paramount if Angola are to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout phase, he may decide to beef up the striking force by bringing Mantorras on earlier.

Iran's Ali Daei, sidelined against Portugal due to a shoulder injury and after coming under fire for his performance in the 3-1 defeat by Mexico, is again likely to miss out.

Suspended:

Andre Macanga is suspended after his sending off in Angola's 0-0 draw against Mexico. Rui Marques, who did well as a substitute, could start in his place. Iran's Javad Nekonam is banned after being booked for the second time in the tournament against Portugal.

Injured:

No one for Angola.

Iran defender Yahya Golmohammadi injured his shoulder on Saturday and is almost certain to miss out. Ferydoon Zandi, who had been suffering with flu and muscle problems, now appears to be fit.

Quotes:

Angola captain and striker Akwa: "We have a greater sense of self belief now. We believe we can do it, even though we have to control the game from the very first minute. There is a small possibility that we can go through. We have to dream."

Iran's Ferydoon Zandi: "We want to leave the World Cup with a victory…we can play without pressure now, maybe that was also a factor."

Key stats:

Angola are the only African team at the World Cup with an African coach. Ivankovic is Iran's fourth Croatian coach.