Portugal v Iran - Preview

Portugal face desperate Iran

Portugal are gearing up for a tough match against Iran on Saturday with both teams' World Cup campaigns on the line.

The Group D favourites need a win to ensure their place in the second round while for Iran, defeat would spell the end of their World Cup dream.

"I expect a difficult game because it will be one of the last chances for Iran to try to get through to the next round," said Portugal captain Luis Figo.

"Everyone knows that if they get a negative result they will be out.

"In contrast, if we win we will qualify for the next round. It is like a final for both teams."

Iran coach Branko Ivankovic is expected to make changes with Team Melli teetering on the brink of elimination after their 3-1 loss to Mexico.

Veteran captain Ali Daei's place is in question after suffering a back problem in the loss to Mexico.

Goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour, who was singled out for defensive frailties against Mexico, could also be an uncertain starter.

Ali Karimi is continuing to suffer from an ankle problem and the Bayern Munich star may have dashed midfielder Mehrzad Madanchi's hopes when he clattered into him in training.

However Kaiserslautern midfielder Ferydoon Zandi is expected to return after missing the opening match with a fever and muscle problem.

Meanwhile Portugal have concerns over Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, said to be suffering from a hamstring problem, who left Wednesday's training session early and worked out alone on Thursday, bur said to be a starter against Iran.

But they are hoping to welcome back influential midfielder Deco who returned to training this week.

Regardless of the personnel, Portugal will expect to sweep aside Iran who faltered badly to lose against Mexico after a promising first half.

They will also look an improved performance after struggling the scrappy 1-0 win over Angola.

"We have to step it up if we want to go much further in this tournament. We really need to do better," said striker Pauleta.

Pauleta's goal was all that separated Portugal's star-studded line-up from Angola, the war-scarred former Portuguese colony making its World Cup debut.

Iran have conceded at least once in every World Cup finals game they have played. Now in their third tournament, they are still searching for their second victory after beating the United States 2-1 in 1998.

Surprisingly, Portugal are playing only their fourth World Cup. They finished third in 1966 with the legendary Eusebio and were knocked out in the group stages in 2002.

But they also finished runners-up in the Euro 2004 championships under Scolari, who is targeting the quarter-finals here at least.

The Angola game gave Scolari a new record for consecutive World Cup wins, which now total eight following his title-winning performance with Brazil in 2002.

Mexico top Group D on goal difference after the first games with Portugal second, Iran third and Angola bottom.

The top two teams can expect a tough second-round match against the survivors of Group C, the 'Group of Death' which brackets Argentina, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro.