  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Portugal dispatch underdogs Angola
COLOGNE, Germany -- Portugal opened the scoring after only four minutes, dominated for most of the match, but in the end made heavy work of defeating former colony Angola 1-0 in their World Cup Group D opener in Cologne on Sunday. Pauleta might have opened the scoring in the opening few seconds but he made his mark with a fourth minute strike from a Luis Figo cross. Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar with a header just before the break but Angola grew in confidence in their World Cup debut. Midfielder Andre forced a fine save from Portuguese keeper Ricardo, who was otherwise largely untroubled, but Angola emerged with credit for a battling performance. "It was the first match of the tournament (for us), which is always difficult. The important thing is that we got the three points against an Angola team that really played well," Pauleta told German TV. "We have to improve, that's clear." Man of the Match Figo agreed, saying: "We could have played a little better but we're satisfied with the result. "Our plan was to get three points so 1-0 was as good as 5-0. If we win the next match against the team that lost in our group (Iran), they're out and we're through." Portugal could have scored just 12 seconds into the game when a Nuno Valente pass unleashed Pauleta who narrowly missed the far post. Three minutes later the prolific striker scored Portugal's goal, his 47th for the national side, after veteran Figo waltzed through a static Angolan back line before cutting the ball back for the predatory Pauleta to slip home. Just before the break Angola keeper Joao Ricardo kept the unlucky Ronaldo at bay again with a brilliant reflex save from a snap shot to leave his side with some hope for the second half. Angola coach Luis Oliveiro Goncalves swopped the tireless Akwa for fellow forward Pedro Mantorros on the hour mark, with Portugues coach Luiz Felipe Scolari bringing on Costinha for Ronaldo. The changes did little to change the course of the game with Portugal largely on top but unable to press home their advantage with a second goal. Chelsea midfielder Maniche forced a fine save from the Angolan keeper in the dying moments, but the three points leave Portugal behind early group leaders Mexico on goal difference. Angola next meet Mexico on Friday with Portugal facing Iran 24 hours later. 
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| © 2007 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map. |
 |
|
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
