Mexico 0 Angola 0
Ten-man Angola restored some pride to a flagging African World Cup campaign by holding Group D leaders Mexico to a goalless draw on Friday evening in Hanover.
The World Cup debutants had to defend with desperation for much of the match, especially in the second half, but managed to keep out the Mexicans even after they were reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Andre.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves had admitted on the eve of the match his side were fighting for the honour of an entire continent with Tunisia's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia the only occasion an African team had avoided defeat before Friday's match.
His team backed his words with deeds although Mexico will rue a series of missed chances that cost them a victory that could, depending on Portugal's result against Iran on Saturday, have qualified them for the last 16 with a game to spare.
Angola had conceded an early goal to Portugal in their opening 1-0 defeat and were given a torrid time by Mexico in the first 15 minutes only to regain their composure for the rest of the half.
However, the Black Antelopes withstood some heavy pressure after the break and were then reduced to 10 men.
The early stages of the second half were cagey with Mexico's Carlos Salcido forcing a save from Joao Ricardo from wide out on the left and then Angola's Loco firing over.
Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe made an early tactical change in the second period with Jesus Arellano replacing Zinha, a goalscoring substitute in the 3-1 win over Iran but ineffectual as a starter.
Mexico then spurned the best chance of the match so far when Guillermo Franco's lob was parried by Joao Ricardo with the ball falling to Arellano whose shot was cleared off the line by Jamba.
Angola almost self-destructed when an attempted clearance rebounded off an Angola player to Omar Bravo, who scored twice in the opening 3-1 win over Iran, but the striker shot straight at Joao Ricardo, missing the chance to become the tournament leading scorer.
Meanwhile, Oliveira brought on Pedro Mantorras to pep up the Angolan attack and then Rui Marques replaced Figueiredo while Mexican fans' favourite Jose Francisco Fonseca replaced Franco.
However, Angola's task became even worse with the sending-off of Andre for a deliberate handball which earned him his second booking.
The group leaders tried to make the extra man pay and Fonseca volleyed wide while Bravo was wayward with a header as Angola hung on in desperation.
Then Joao Ricardo made the save of the night to deny Marquez in the dying seconds.
Mexico had started the first half well with Marquez firing a free-kick that deflected off the wall and hit the post.
Angola then pulled themselves together. Paulo Figueiredo fired over from 25 yards and then there was further encouragement when Mateus shot just wide.
The World Cup debutants had to defend with desperation for much of the match, especially in the second half, but managed to keep out the Mexicans even after they were reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Andre.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves had admitted on the eve of the match his side were fighting for the honour of an entire continent with Tunisia's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia the only occasion an African team had avoided defeat before Friday's match.
His team backed his words with deeds although Mexico will rue a series of missed chances that cost them a victory that could, depending on Portugal's result against Iran on Saturday, have qualified them for the last 16 with a game to spare.
Angola had conceded an early goal to Portugal in their opening 1-0 defeat and were given a torrid time by Mexico in the first 15 minutes only to regain their composure for the rest of the half.
However, the Black Antelopes withstood some heavy pressure after the break and were then reduced to 10 men.
The early stages of the second half were cagey with Mexico's Carlos Salcido forcing a save from Joao Ricardo from wide out on the left and then Angola's Loco firing over.
Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe made an early tactical change in the second period with Jesus Arellano replacing Zinha, a goalscoring substitute in the 3-1 win over Iran but ineffectual as a starter.
Mexico then spurned the best chance of the match so far when Guillermo Franco's lob was parried by Joao Ricardo with the ball falling to Arellano whose shot was cleared off the line by Jamba.
Angola almost self-destructed when an attempted clearance rebounded off an Angola player to Omar Bravo, who scored twice in the opening 3-1 win over Iran, but the striker shot straight at Joao Ricardo, missing the chance to become the tournament leading scorer.
Meanwhile, Oliveira brought on Pedro Mantorras to pep up the Angolan attack and then Rui Marques replaced Figueiredo while Mexican fans' favourite Jose Francisco Fonseca replaced Franco.
However, Angola's task became even worse with the sending-off of Andre for a deliberate handball which earned him his second booking.
The group leaders tried to make the extra man pay and Fonseca volleyed wide while Bravo was wayward with a header as Angola hung on in desperation.
Then Joao Ricardo made the save of the night to deny Marquez in the dying seconds.
Mexico had started the first half well with Marquez firing a free-kick that deflected off the wall and hit the post.
Angola then pulled themselves together. Paulo Figueiredo fired over from 25 yards and then there was further encouragement when Mateus shot just wide.
posted by dgarden at 1:20 pm
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