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Reuters - Mexico, ranked fourth in the world,
want to prove they are an improving force against Iran in Sunday's Group D
game at the Frankenstadion.
Despite the departure of goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez following the death of
his father, the surprise semi-finalists from last year's Confederations Cup
are determined to put past World Cup failures behind them.
"We have the belief we can achieve anything after the success of the
Confederations," Mexico midfielder Pavel Pardo told Reuters.
"If we play like we did then, taking every
game like a cup final, then we can go even further. Maybe the final.
"We don't care about the past or what people think, we are here to change
that and win," added Pardo.
Mexico, who have qualified 12 times, failed to go beyond the second round in
the last three World Cups.
Captain Rafael Marquez, generally a holding midfielder, is expected to move
in to central defence to direct a back five who have been shaky in recent
months.
Keeper Sanchez is due to return to Germany on Saturday and will be keen to
play in his first World Cup after being a non-playing substitute at the 1998
and 2002 tournaments.
Jared Borgetti, Mexico's most prolific scorer, will have his work cut out
against Iran's defence.
"This is the best team in the history of the Islamic republic," said Iran
striker Ali Daei.
SECOND ROUND
"We will go step by step. Our first goal is qualifying for the second round,
then becoming one of the final eight."
Iran, though, have injury concerns.
Mehdi Mahdavikia is recovering from a back problem while fellow midfielder
Ali Karimi, who picked up an ankle injury in March, has been resting in the
hope he will be ready to go on Sunday.
Another midfield man Ferydoon Zandi has been ruled out.
Daei, the leader of the attack at 37, is ready to confound the critics who
say he is too old.
"I may look old off the pitch but I feel young on the field," said the first
footballer to score 100 international goals.
Portugal and Angola make up Group D.
Probable teams:
Mexico (5-3-2)
1-Oswaldo Sanchez; 3-Carlos Salcido, 14-Gonzalo Pineda, 4-Rafael Marquez,
5-Ricardo Osorio, 15-Jose Antonio Castro; 6-Gerardo Torrado, 7-Antonio
Naelson, 8-Pavel Pardo; 9-Jared Borgetti, 10-Guillermo Franco.
Coach: Ricardo Lavolpe
Iran: (4-2-3-1)
1-Ebrahim Mirzapour; 13-Hossein Kaebi, 5-Rahman Rezaei, 4-Yahya Golmohammadi,
20-Mohammad Nosrati; 2-Mehdi Mahdavikia, 6-Javad Nekounam; 14-Andranik
Teymoorian, 9-Vahid Hashemian, 8-Ali Karimi; 10-Ali Daei
Coach: Branko Ivankovic
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
Linesmen: Cristiano Copelli (Italy), Alessandro Stagmoli (Italy)
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