Angola v Portugal - Preview

Colonial bone to pick for Angola

Group favourites Portugal open their World Cup campaign against first-time finalists Angola here on Sunday in a fixture dripping with historical and emotional significance.

Fireworks erupted the last time the two countries met.

The 'friendly' in Lisbon descended into farce, with four Angolan players sent off and the game halted with Portugal leading 5-1.

"The players have spoken about that match amongst themselves, it's always there, but what happened then isn't an issue now," said Angola football federation official Helio Russo.

The south-west African nation's old rulers will also be mindful of avoiding the fate that befell France, embarrassed by former colony Senegal in 2002.

Portugal's World Cup record is mixed.

"The first game in any competition is the most important game. If we lose the situation will be desperate," said Portugal'd Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Talismanic captain Luis Figo refuses to dismiss Angola as easy pickings.

"Physically they're strong and as an African team we have to show them respect. It's only common sense."

At 34 Figo is a veritable old-timer in footballing terms but Simao warns - write him off at your peril.

"You can't really say that Figo is old. We saw recently against Luxembourg (in last Saturday's friendly) that he is in tremendous shape," said the Benfica winger.

Another pivotal player is the combustible Cristiano Ronaldo who has been warned by Scolari to curb his temper.

"It's a situation that worries me because the majority of our opponents provoke Cristiano and he does not know how to deal with it," said the Brazilian boss.

Angola, who pipped African giants Nigeria in qualifying, have been soundly beaten in their three warm-up games, but manager Luis Oliveira Goncalves made light of those reverses.

"The games we have played were preparation games. We weren't interested in the results.

"These games allowed us to look at the team and how it played."

Striker Love stressed the Black Antelopes were not in Germany to make up the numbers.

"We're in a tough group but we'll be doing the best we can to show the world we can play football.

"Sunday is a special game for us. It's the first time in the World Cup, made all the more special with the great feeling and history between us and Portugal.

Teams

Angola

Joao Ricardo, Delgado, Jamba, Kali, Figueiredo, Andre, Akwa (capt), Mateus, Mendonca, Ze Kalanga, Loco: Coach: Luis Oliveira Goncalves

Portugal

Ricardo, Fernando Meira, Luis Figo (capt), Petit, Pauleta, Simao Sabrosa, Miguel, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiago: Coach: Luis Felipe Scolari

Referee

Jorge Larrionda