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by: BobbyMcMahon
Mexico 0-0 Angola
Jun 16, 2006 | 1:59PM | report this

Angola played for 90 minutes with passion and agression.

Mexico controlled the majority of the game but they were let down by sloppy passing.

Bravo and Franco did not lead the line effectively in the way that Borgetti does.

Only Mexican fans could begrudge Angola a first ever point at the World Cup Finals.

Man of the Match - Joao Ricardo controlled his penalty area and pulled off a couple of excellent saves.

 

 

8 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Mexico, Angola, Jared Borgetti, Omar Bravo, Guillermo Franco, Joao Ricardo
 
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ibroxloyal1
Jun 16, 2006
2:09 PM
I was a little dissapointed in Mexico in this one, Bobby.

They gave up possession like they were playing for... errr... errr... England!

Not the best game of the WC, but nice to see Angola get a point. Felt sorry for the Angolan for being sent off, silly handball in no-mans land.

brcres
Jun 16, 2006
2:18 PM
I'm Angolan living in NY and very proud of our players. What debut!! I wish I could be in Luanda the capital of Angola... like we needed another excuse to party...

BobbyMcMahon
Jun 16, 2006
2:25 PM
I agree Mexico was disappointing. But Angola shut them down and put them under pressure all over the park. It was great defensive display.

Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 16th at 2:34 PM.

Doinvaughn
Jun 16, 2006
2:35 PM
Who will sign Ricardo after his fine performance? I can't believe he's not a pro!

FED
Jun 16, 2006
2:37 PM
Well I am Mexican and my wife is Korean, so if Mexico doesn't advance, I will just cheer on the Koreans! Viva Mexico and Go Red Devils! :-)

ibroxloyal1
Jun 16, 2006
2:40 PM
Doinvaughn,

I seriously think that more and more African players will end out in Europe, and therefore develop into true world class players. This might be a wakeup call to mangers all over Europe that there is more talent to be had... The fact that Ricardo doesnt have a club is criminal. If that's how he plays every week, he'd be wanted all over Europe.

Saying that, though, EU employment laws are a little odd when it comes to bringing in footballers out with the EU, I think they have to play for their country a certain number of times to qualify for a work permit. I cant remember, exactly. Maybe Bobby can clear that up?

I also know that some English teams have been criticised in the UK for over-use of African players (Bolton springs to mind) as almost a cheap labour force, compared to the wages and transfer fees given to the European and SA players.

Last edited by ibroxloyal1 on June 16th at 2:44 PM.

Terry63
Jun 16, 2006
9:12 PM
The Mexican team is the most over-rated team in the world. They don't have a clue as to what football is about. They would never have beaten Iran if it were not for the Brazilian, Zinho.
I'm happy for the long-suffering people of Angola,
but let's face it, this match was a pointless waste of time. Neither of these teams have any right to even be fantasizing about competing to be 'world's champion'.
Defending should not be praised, it takes no skill, brains or imagination: attacking play does + it is attacking courage, flair + skill that should be idealized. Any #### can take a hammer + smash a work of art.
It's not original to say it, but the coaches are ruining the sport. They must spend 90% of practice time on stiffling the opponent. With the exception of a few teams, the passing in this tournament has been awful + the finishing worse.
Don't any of these guys ever practice shooting or is there some weird outbreak of neurosis every time somebody has the ball at his feet in front of goal. I mean, as sick as it sounds, it's almost seems as if they're trying *not* to score!

Come on guys, we pretty much got past hooliganism, we can get past having a nervous breakdown before taking a shot.
It ain't that hard, + a lot of people are paying good money to be entertained for a couple of hours. Let's get real-- defensive play is not entertaining. In fact it sucks. Put a few in the back of the net for chrissakes, or someday ( + this includes coaches) you just might have to find yourself (gasp) a real jobs.

see Jorge Valdano's excellent ar

Terry63
Jun 16, 2006
9:13 PM
Valdano's insightful article can be found here:


http://football.guardian.co.uk/
worldcup2006/comment/story/0,,17987
41,00.html

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BobbyMcMahon
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites. Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts. PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site. And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
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