MEXICO 0-0 ANGOLA

16 June 2006

A brave performance from ten-man Angola saw them hold Mexico to a goalless draw in their Group D meeting in Hanover on Friday, 16 June 2006.

Angola, who lie 53 places below El Tri in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, frustrated the Mexicans due to a combination of some resolute defending and some superb goalkeeping from Joao Ricardo.

The Palancas Negras' task was made even harder when they had Andre sent off in the 79th minute, but the African side held firm to register their first ever point in the FIFA World Cup™ finals.

The match:
3' It was another nervy start by Angola and, as against Portugal, they almost conceded an early goal. The North Americans were intent on stamping their authority on the game and Carlos Salcido, foraging forward, saw a 25-yard shot land on the top of the net.

11': Finding it difficult to retain possession, the Africans conceded a series of free-kicks around the edge of their box. From one, Pavel Pardo fired straight into the arms of Joao Ricardo.

14': From another, three minutes later, captain Rafael Marquez struck the base of the post with a low skidding effort.

23': Angola began to settle and started to dominate possession. Figueiredo found space to shoot 25 yards out, lifting his strike a yard over.

24': Then Mateus snatched at a decent chance from the edge of the area with his effort rising high over the bar.

26': From a free-kick, Mendonca cracked another shot wide of the post as the Tricolor fans became restless.

45': After creating little for much of the half, Mexico almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time. Guillermo Franco used all his strength to withstand an aerial challenge inside the box but could not quite prod the bouncing ball home and Ricardo came out quickly to block.

A handsome display:
46' The second half began with no noticeable increase in the tempo. Mexico slowly began to push forward but Ricardo was proving equal to anything thrown his way.

55': Angola were now playing exclusively on the break and shooting as soon as they could see the whites of the posts. Having watched a number of efforts sail high and wide, Oswaldo Sanchez had to be alert to save another Mendonca effort from distance.

56': Franco was finding little room to manoeuvre but the Argentine-born striker had a great chance to break the deadlock after Mexico’s best move of the match. The Villarreal forward flicked on a long pass to Salcido and ran onto the return pass but his lob over the advancing Ricardo lacked conviction and the keeper clawed the ball away. Jesus Arellano hit the follow-up goalwards but the ball was hacked off the line.

66':It was Omar Bravo's turn to squander a golden chance next. The Guadalajara striker, who struck twice in the opening game against Iran, found space inside the box but could only shoot timidly at the keeper when presented with a clear-cut chance in front of goal.

79':Angola were reduced to ten men with a little over ten minutes to go when Andre was shown his second yellow card for handball.

82':Pouring forward, Fonseca miscued his volley from a deep cross and the ball whistled wide.

88':Then Marquez picked up the ball 30 yards out but the Barcelona player's strike was brilliantly tipped away by Ricardo. From the resulting corner only the goalpost saved the keeper's blushes with a stretching Bravo unable to take advantage of a rare misjudgement.

In conclusion:
Angola collected their first ever FIFA World Cup point with a courageous display and still have a chance of making the second round. Despite creating few clear chances, Mexico, on four points, are nevertheless well positioned to qualify with the fixture against Portugal still to play.