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Angola

The Day After

June 12th, 2006 | By: WC Bob | 22 Comments »

Now that the dust has settled I can look back at last night’s game and feel pretty good about Angola’s performance. It is disappointing that we lost and that we started the game so poorly, but the team gutted it out and they played with an effort and pride that is something we all can respect.

The players and coaches seem to have gained confidence holding Portugal to one goal.

Mantorras said:
“We believe in ourselves after this game. We have more confidence, we’re more optimistic. We know that our group is not easy, but we are going to try to play as well, if not better, in the next game.”

FIGUEIREDO said:
“There was a great spirit in the dressing room and the atmosphere in the ground was fantastic. We gave it our all. I think I’ve played against almost everyone in Portugal’s team so it was strange for me to play against friends, but during a match you have to forget those things. We have to beat Mexico win now and cover our country in glory.”

Coach Goncalves said:
“I don’t think that Portugal played badly; I think that Angola played well. We are the underdogs in this group, and what we want to do is make things difficult for all of our opponents. We will try to do the same thing against Mexico, but we will also look to attack them, and win the game. We’re not getting carried away, because in reality we know that Mexico are the favourites. But if we get the chance to qualify for the next round, we’re going to take it.”

These are all fantastic words and I couldn’t agree more. The focus needs to be on getting ready to play Mexico. I watched the Mexico and Iran game and although Mexico won I didn’t think they were all that impressive.

The task won’t be easy for the Palancas but if they continue to work hard and play hard they’ll bring us some great memories. It was a special moment last night and even though we didn’t come out on top it was a game I’ll never forget.

Tags: angola vs. mexico, angola vs. portugal, Figueiredo, Goncalves, Pedro Mantorras

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Comments

By Dido | June 12th, 2006 at 12:06 pm

The nerves in the biginning were our downfall. If maybe we had kept Portugal from scoring in the first 20 minutes, then the match would have been different. We could still go on and get results from our remaining games.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Ewane Elvis | June 12th, 2006 at 12:41 pm

Go Ahead my fellow country men.

Posted from Finland

By DonDadda | June 12th, 2006 at 1:20 pm

We have a height advantage against Mexico, and we play a more physical game too. But they’re fast and they exchange the ball very well.

Three of our guys got yellow cards in the game against Portugal, namely Loco, Andre and Jamba. Coach has to be smart and play them sparingly; if they get another card on Wednesday they will not play against Iran. I can live without Loco, but Andre Macanga and Jamba would be a great loss.

Pasha, let’s talk about Mantorras and Akwa for a minute.. perhaps on a different thread. Those two should definitely be in the same lineup.

Posted from United States

By DonDadda | June 12th, 2006 at 1:21 pm

Let’s talk about the different scenarios in the lineup, should Coach play Mantorras and Akwa from the start. Any pointers?

Posted from United States

By Kiko | June 12th, 2006 at 1:55 pm

Yes. The coach should have played Mantorras and Akwa.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Joka | June 12th, 2006 at 2:06 pm

Mexico is a very good team do not let their size fool you… this guys can be very deadly… they do not make many mistake… We must play smarter… Mantorras and Akwa… but what will that mean for our midF and D… at one point one of our Mateus was playing D… that was cool…

One Angola

Posted from United States

By Silvana | June 12th, 2006 at 4:23 pm

I am very satisfied with our performance and know that we can show good football so my massage is keep up the good world boys and a big VIVA ANGOLAAAAAA for the Angolans.

Posted from United States

By payam | June 12th, 2006 at 9:53 pm

hey at last good game hope your people be fun and good and they continue hopfully!your team is a good team and i think iran has a very hard mission to it!cuase we always had problem with africans steam!cuase they are playing with power!and having power to continue the game is 1 of our team problem!(as you see in mexico-iran game)hope to have good game againts mexican !they are 4th team of fthe world in fifa ranckiing but both(angola and mexic)can have good play and at last the best team can win! so be fun my brothers!

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By Louie | June 13th, 2006 at 12:24 am

Angola:

I think that you all did a grat job. you have what irananians lacked ..
determination.
I think that the next match for you guys will be a grat one.

Be very careful.

Mexico might not have looked impressive, but their defense is great. like the fellow said, do not let their size fool you. they also play very rough.and like to pass a lot. I think if angola is not careful they will get frustrated with the way mexico plays. then will start drawing the fowls. that will not be good because MExico is really good at set plays.

i predict mexico 2- angola 1

Posted from United States

By VooDoo | June 13th, 2006 at 1:03 am

Magic is all over the World Cup 2006!
Because of some strangeness in game results - this site becomes more and more famous http://www.voodoo4football.com
Is it possible - that synchronous desire of a lot of fans concentrates and affects on the results of the football game?

Posted from Ukraine

By tony | June 13th, 2006 at 4:28 am

i have one thing to say You were owned by portugal and have no chance of beating mexico or iran so VIVA PORTUGAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from United States

By Ali Siddiqui | June 13th, 2006 at 8:29 am

I was absolutely shocked by that first goal so early. But then again that was probably the Portugal strategy to unsettle the Angolan players and bring their morale down. But wow! Once they got their nerves back they certainly gave Portugal a run for their money great defending and some good moment of attacks! It certainly made C.Ronaldo pout!!

Posted from Canada

By Andre | June 13th, 2006 at 10:06 am

tony, I have no idea why you are an Angolan hater. You must be one of those people that thought that Portugal would win by 3 or 4 goals and now you are bitter because they couldnt. You are trying to convince yourself that Portugal were brilliant while they werent. I have one thing to say: wake up muppet!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Pedro P | June 13th, 2006 at 12:07 pm

Tony… I’m for Portugal (I’m a full hearted hot headed 100% portuguese) and this whole shit of “owning” doesn’t sound good. OK, the romans also “owned” us 2000 years ago and we speak what’s left of their language - latin. So what…? You just don’t know anyone from Angola and are too blind to see wider.

Angola showed against Portugal why they are in the WC and that they deserve it just as well. I’m a Portugal fan and now, after both our teams have played, I’m for POR and for ANG.

ANG can beat BOTH Iran and Mex. As it was said, Iran lacks stamina - which Angola boasts.

Good defending and making them run by keeping possession is one way of gettin them tired. Then, on the 2nd half, go for the kill. Don’t start “inventing”, cos in technique they might be better and they might be much more dangeorus than Portugal on a counter. If they score, you’ll do the running. Because you are not so skilled, this will frustrate you, get you tired and fouling. But you can beat them, cos you also have other weapons to play.

Mex are slower. They’ll try to get you asleep and suddently, out of nowhere, a guy comes fast as lightening and scores. With a bit of coaching, strong marking and tuning up your passes (specially the short - this was failing in the match against POR), you can get there. Keep it tight, defend ahead of your box not to give them spaces.

Akwa seems not to have a lot of pace. Mantorras seems to be a bit clumsy - as in Benfica. Maybe, indeed, the two together would be OK - Mantorras has a lot of speed and knows how to score - Akwa has more vision. I guess your coach doesn’t want to loose the midfield. You have a very good goalie and a very good and tought left back.

Forca Angola, Forca Portugal!

Posted from Netherlands

By Al | June 13th, 2006 at 4:57 pm

An excellent performance after a disasterous start!

Good luck in the remaining games!

Mantorras and Akwa should be played together - in my opinion!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Andre | June 13th, 2006 at 5:51 pm

Thank you Pedro.

Forca Angola, Forca Portugal!

Posted from United Kingdom

By pedro | June 14th, 2006 at 8:16 am

Go Angola. Beat Mexico, you can do it!! Let’s really upset the WC biggies, Mexico is well in your capabilities

Posted from United States

By payam | June 14th, 2006 at 10:37 pm

Mr TONY as i see what you said is not so beautifull for all and they are attacking you so baby! ready for us we will eat your biriliant team like an orange!!!

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By payam | June 14th, 2006 at 10:53 pm

yes angola do it! but sory are you sure about Iran lacks stamina? i think there is no wall smaller than us ! yes??
ok hope you all brothers be well and hope this western country ( 1 of them is purtugal) learn from their history! learn what they have in there country was making bye womens and kids blood! they just could colonization others to build their own countries! thats true they could and did but know they we must be right to what we did in past and be shame of that!!
i think peoples dont need anything els! just a little shameeee! butas i see their is just boast!!! offfffffff
so be ready baby! did you know purtugal in peersian language means orange? so what do we must to do with an orange? eat it? kick it like a ball? so be ready for our team we will loos to you 2 -0 what the honest

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By payam | June 14th, 2006 at 10:54 pm

making byeeeee

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By payam | June 14th, 2006 at 10:56 pm

what the f** is my writtig and making sentences offfffff

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By Pedro P | June 15th, 2006 at 12:06 pm

Hi Payam. Hi don’t know if Iran lacks stamina. It’s just what everybody says.