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Building toward Angola

June 14th, 2006 | By: John | 10 Comments »

For only the 2nd time in their long and tepid world cup history, the Mexican National team will play a squad from the Dark Continent when Mexico takes on Angola this Friday in Hannover. The first match-up for a Mexican side vs. an African one did not go very well for Mexico, as Tunisia became the first African nation to wina world cup game when they defeated Mexico 3-1 in Argentina 78.

Mexico’s confidence has definitely soared since their opening victory a few days ago in Nuremberg, and with a win, and a portugal win or tie, then Mexico will have qualified for the 2nd round. As we all know, Jared Borgetti will be out until the knockouts, so who does the scoring responsibility fall to? Will it be Guille Franco, who has been less than stellar leading up to the tourney. He did assist on Bravo’s first one, though. Will Kikin Fonseca find the magic with Franco again? Does Bravo have it in him to get another brace?

Luis Perez believes that La Volpe will use 2 DMs vs Angola, so does that mean we’ll see the Torrado Pardo pairing again? Or will Lucho take Torrado’s spot? Are we going to see Ramoncito at all, what about Guardado? One of the good signs coming out of Göttingen is that Mexico knows it has played far from its best game. So let’s keep building, carnales.

Mexico’s 3-1 win over Iran was only thier 2nd victory in a European world cup. It also ties the most goal scored with the 3-1 win in Lyon over S. Korea, and a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia in Villa del Mar, Chile, in 1962. The latter was Mexico’s first ever world cup victory.

Tags: africa, Angola, history, Mexico

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Comments

By payam | June 14th, 2006 at 9:26 pm

hi brothers! did you know who is the master of world cup albums in this blog? offfffffff what the f*** he isssssss! he is just wondering to take photo from womens and anything like that ! hey mannnnnnn i think germany has more things to showww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 15th, 2006 at 12:10 am

Our group D, as we all saw already, is looking far superior to what the so called experts predicted.

Iran could have beaten lots of other teams I have seen thus far and beaten them badly.

Not going to name names to not make enemies but certain teams have already fallen apart and have a laundry list of excuses.

Angola is going to give it all they have, their pace is going to be fun to watch matched up against our pace. Angola has spirit, it’s going to be fun. The heat should be a non-factor because of the teams involved, it’s going to be played fast.

In my opinion, Lavolpe should use the same lineup from the 2nd half last game and go from there with Arellano and Guardado and maybe Ramon as subs.

Depending on the situation it might be good to get Maza some playing time because Salcido picked up that yellow card.

No worries, we look focused, look like a tight knit group, and Lavolpe seems to be in the zone, has the boys prepared.

Posted from United States

By Daniel | June 15th, 2006 at 12:43 am

Agree, they should definitely go with the same attacking mind set that produced the two goals in the 2nd half. If they get a 2 goal lead they should give guardado and Maza some playing time. Not sure about Franco, I’m still uncomfortable about how effective he’ll be. Torrado looked terrible…really disappointed in his performance.

I personally think that above else Mexico needs to be aggressive with how they play. Today was a prime example on what happens when you play too defensively (Poland/Germany). They are good enough to hang with anyone, now its just a matter of the players really believing it. I feel Lavolpe has the same in mind.

Posted from United States

By payam | June 15th, 2006 at 2:43 am

hey how are you my mexican freinds? i saw a film about iran mexico game ( fans on germany ) oh god for 1 iranian there was 20 mexican! you are every where babby!! so be fun and enjor the rest of the wc !
and actually be carefull about angola

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By HurrikaneDIABLO | June 15th, 2006 at 4:22 am

I like you Payam, I really do. I cant understand half the stuff you write, but you’re cool in my book.

Angola is gonna come out srong because they want to win. Still, Mexico will prove it’s technical superiority and dominate after things settle down. The first 5 minutes will be the most dangerous. Lavolpe is a tricky bastard, I do believe he is a damn good strategist. I think Angola is going to wear themselves down in a desperate attempt to win and when they are wore down, Lavolpe will put someone fresh in to take advantage of that. I’m not exactly positive on this theory, but we may have seen this tactic used on Iran when their players were running out of gas at the end of the first half. If anyone saw the Aussie-Japan game, we saw that was exactly what the Aussie coach did at the end of that game and it payed major dividens.

Maybe we get to see Guardado, but if he realy was THAT good, I think we would have seen him already. I dont buy into the whole GUARDADO being the secret weapon Lavolpe is trying to hold back. But Guardado is good and has a lot of potential from what i seen. I’d like to see what he is made of and if he can handle the pressure of playing in the WC.

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 15th, 2006 at 4:43 pm

Did anyone notice Ecuador’s awesome form, they looked good. Good for them.

So far Concacaf is being carried by Mexico and T&T with 4 pts total out of 5 games total played, and now Costa Rica is eliminated without even a fight. Depending on what T&T does against mighty England today…it could be better or worse for Concacaf.

Also, looking ahead a little bit but….Ecuador also looks good to win their 2nd round game of 16. They play either the winner or runner’s up group B which has played the ugliest, I mean ugliest futbol out of all the groups. Good for them, they took care of business, no reason to think they can’t keep it going.

Posted from United States

By Rene | June 15th, 2006 at 5:34 pm

I find Ecuador to be a bit misleading. The reality is they have not had strong opposition yet, but for some reason I do not feel the slow, short passing play with the ocassional counter from the sides will take them far.

The match against Germany might be a good parameter. But as Big Baller said, they have the fortune of facing one of the weaker groups in the next round.

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 15th, 2006 at 6:53 pm

Well, that settles it. 4pts in 6 games for Concacaf. Ouch. It’s a good thing for Mexico.
Viva Mexico!!!

Posted from United States

By Rene | June 15th, 2006 at 8:48 pm

At least we can find solace in the fact that African teams are doing worse so far with only one tie in 4 matches.

By El Aclantista | June 15th, 2006 at 8:59 pm

Yeah I think Lavolpe should let Guardado play so we can see what kid is made of.The only think our team shouldn’t do is get overconfident I see Angola putting up a fight but we should win the match.
With a win I think we’re in the 2nd round no? if I was the Mexican federation I would send Landon Prima-Donovan a ticket to watch us play so he can learn what futbol is all about!!(I hate that guy!!!)
Mexico Mexico

Posted from United States

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