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Who’s the Group D Favorite?

May 24th, 2006 | By: WC Bob | 7 Comments »

Iran forward Vahid Hashemian has come out and said that there is no favorite in Group D. “For me there are no favorites. Even Angola, as World Cup debutante, can move into the second round,” Hashemian said.

I appreciate his sentiments but since this is sport we’re talking about there has to be a favorite. So who is it?

Certainly it isn’t Angola. As much as I love our team and believe in them, they are not expected to win the group so they can’t be considered the team to beat.

Iran isn’t the favorite. They have a good team and I think they could do very well in Germany, but there aren’t too many people predicting they will win Group D.

That leaves Mexico and Portugal. Mexico is the higher ranked team in the bogus FIFA rankings and does have a good pedigree. The team is a regular at the World Cup. The one knock is that it qualifies out of CONCACAF, an improving region but one that still features a number of lesser quality team.

Portugal is probably considered the favorite by most people. The team has a lot of talent and players who are famous around the world. But it is also a country that crapped out in the first round in 2002. Granted, this year’s team is different than that team, but still that just goes to show that a favorite isn’t assured of advancing.

What do you think? Who is your favorite to win Group D?

Tags: Angola, Iran, Mexico, Portugal, Vahid Hashemian

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Comments

By Kevin | May 24th, 2006 at 6:02 pm

Portugal are clear favorites, but something tells me this group can be won by either of the three contenders (excluding Angola)

By gert | May 25th, 2006 at 7:40 am

No, all 4 of them have a good chance to come 2nd

Posted from United Kingdom

By Dido | May 25th, 2006 at 11:17 am

Group D favourite is portugal. I reckon that Mexico are the team to beat for the second place in the group.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Martin | May 25th, 2006 at 10:18 pm

Portugal should win this one - they should finally have a chance to shine at the World Cup. If Mexico doesn’t progress to the 2nd round here, they should give it up.

By Pedro P | May 26th, 2006 at 11:19 am

People, not to kiss Angola’s ass, but it’s very simple…

Angola reaching the WC was ON PAPER a million times more dificult than ON PAPER Portugal toping this group. I mean, it was a miracle… BUT THEY MADE IT HAPPEN!!! They did it… Isn’t this enough to keep the eyees open…?

Portugal was going to kick ass in 2002 (even Pele said we could win the big mug), cos they got USA and Korea in their group… With all due respect, people can say whatever, Portugal was (far) better and played much much worse. They deserved to lose.

Isn’t this a good lesson…? There are no premature winners. There are teams who win and teams who lose. The rest…? The rest is history, guys…

But hey, sure I’d love my team to do well…

Posted from Netherlands

By Cajun Nick | May 27th, 2006 at 9:03 am

On paper - yes, Pedro - on paper Portugal is clearly the best team. I think that Mexico has the best shot of coming out second in the group.

Having said that, many things can’t be accounted for on paper. For example, injuries during the tournament; internal strife that damages team chemistry; a blown call or two; the will to win.

Iran and Angola might just be able to overcome deficiencies in overall talent by the desire to win, to advance; but we can’t predict.

When I am putting together my brackets, in a few groups I’m going to have to go by the book. I think that this group is one of them.

Posted from United States

By Pedro P | May 28th, 2006 at 10:21 am

But CN, this what I say… “On paper” counts very little and putting the expectations too high is always a mistake. Furthurmore, I also feel ANG and IRA are not being given enough credit. And I’ve seen this film before, so many times…

Posted from Netherlands

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