Matchday 3

Group D
Mexico vs Iran
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11th June 2006

Prediction: Mexico 3-1 or 3-2

First game in Group D. Since the other 2 teams are the top favourite Portugal and the outsider Angola, 3 points here will give huge advantage for the winner. Mexico is the favourite, but not like what the odds suggested. Their offensive play mainly relies on the heading abilities by Borgheti and G.Franco. They are good forwards, but Mexico style of play is too predictable.

On the other side we have Iran - team with very good midfield line, but too weak in defence. With experienced players based in Germany like Ali Karimi, Mahdavikia and co, they can indeed cause a lot of problems for the Mexican defense. But with the absence of defender Sattar Zare, this will certainly add to amateur Iran's defensive woes. They are scoring a lot of goals, but conceding alot too.

Predictable as it may seems, statistics has always shown a superior performance by the South American team in the world's most prestigious soccer tournament . What's more , their opponents are not even regular participants in this competition; experience is maybe depriving them of a win or even a draw tonite. All in one, I expect this to be an open game and lot of goals will flow in as the Mexican keeper Sanchez may not be in the right state of mood following his father's funeral on Wednesday, i.e. if he were to play in time.

An easy win for the green team.

WC Soccer 2006