PORTUGAL v IRAN - MATCH PREVIEW II
Andy Morgan

Both teams go into this game needing a win, albeit for different reasons. Portugal saw off a stubborn Angola in the last match, with a fourth minute Pauleta goal being enough to separate the sides. Iran meanwhile succumbed to Mexico 3-1 however this only tells half the story as if it had not been for two late goals in the space of three minutes then they would have hung on for a well-deserved point.

If Portugal are to finish on top of the group then they must win this game to obtain the advantage over Mexico, although their disappointment against Angola takes the heat off the European side. With it being difficult to know who will finish top of Group C (and thus who will play the winners of this group) it is difficult to assess where Portugal would most like to finish within the top two. Iran meanwhile need at least a draw to keep their World Cup dream alive - a win would be a significant advantage and will leave it all to play for in both final ties of the group.

The key man for the European side, as he has been for the last ten years, is Luis Figo, now deployed to a more central midfield role rather than on the wings. This tactic confused the Angolans and they could not really deal with it but of course the Iranians now know about it and will be more prepared. Age however is a concern, Figo cannot keep going as long as he used to, but with the youthful Cristiano Ronaldo providing the energy to his experience, the Portuguese side have a perfect mix in midfield. It was Figo's run that set up the impressive Pauleta to score.

Experience is certainly the watchword for the Iranians, who fielded their oldest ever team in the World Cup against the Mexicans. In Rahman Rezaei (forty-one caps) and Mohammed Nosrati (forty caps) they have an extablished central-defensive partnership that have a good understanding between each other. However they did concede three goals to a Mexican side that was toothless against Angola so it could be a case of how many for Portugal in this game.

The Portuguese have many threats, not just Figo and Pauleta. Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is a player of proven international standard and is used to playing on the big stage, both for his club and his country. It is hard to believe that the winger is still only twenty-one years old and still improving. His pace is the perfect accompaniment to Figo's lynchpin role in midfield and when he runs at defences even the most experienced players get worried. Always quick to invite the foul, his goalscoring record is second-to-none, with nine international goals to his name. If he is passed fit then he will be a major asset to the team.

The big injury news for the Portuguese however is the possible role of Barcelona's Deco, who provides, along with Figo, a focal point in the centre of the midfield. A holding player who can actually play, Deco can release Figo and Ronaldo through his simple passing and many of Portugal's attacking moves start through him. If he is passed fit then expect Portugal to have more gile about them and therefore expect the Iranian's chances to be limited.

This is not to say however that the Iranians do not have threats of their own. Striker Ali Daei, who has scored 110 times for his country will once more start whilst Kaiserslauten's midfielder Ferydoon Zandi will add extra strength in the midfield after his return from injury. This may not be enough however - it took a defender, Yahya Golmohammadi to score their only goal against Mexico - and against a strong Portuguese defence then expect them to have another fruitless day.

Here's a small selection of the odds from Sporting Odds. Many more on the coupon on the Sporting Odds site.

Portugal 2/7
Iran 10/1
Draw 15/4

Portugal To Win

1-0 5/1
2-0 9/2
2-1 8/1
3-0 13/2
3-1 11/1
3-2 33/1
4-0 12/1

First Portugal Scorer

Pauleta 11/4
Nuno Gomes 9/2
Cristiano Ronaldo 5/1
Simao Sabrosa 5/1
Helder Postiga 6/1
Luis Figo 13/2


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