Angola scored the first goal of their short World Cup history, but a 1-1 draw with Iran in their final Group D match on Wednesday signalled the end of their remarkable journey in Germany.
The Southern African nation, appearing in their first World Cup, had needed to win by three clear goals and hope that Group D rivals Mexico lost to Portugal.
Although Mexico went down to a 2-1 defeat in Gelsenkirchen, Angola finished behind them with two points to the central Americans’ four, while Portugal headed the group.
But a side whose two best players — goalkeeper Joao Ricardo and striker Akwa — cannot even find a club, can look back with pride on a record of a narrow defeat to Portugal, a heroic draw with Mexico and this battling display.
The historic goal from the head of Flavio, who met an inch-perfect cross from Ze Kalanga powerfully on the hour mark, giving Iranian goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour little chance.
And it could easily have been followed by another two minutes later when Mendonca had a golden opportunity, but he shot wide when the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area.
Iran, fighting to avoid a third consecutive defeat, struck back when Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh outjumped the Angolan defence from a corner to equalise with a well-placed header on 75 minutes.
Iran’s veteran striker Ali Daei should have added to his world-record tally of 109 international goals, but his first-half header from close range was woefully misdirected even though he was completely unmarked.
Angola’s hopes suffered an early setback when Mateus, who had ballooned the ball over the bar after eight minutes, had to be stretchered off the pitch after apparently injuring his arm as he slipped and became entangled with an Iranian defender.
Two minutes later Loco had to leave the field by the same route after a bruising tackle, but the defender returned.
But the biggest loss came when Angola’s captain Akwa had to be substituted just minutes into the second half after suffering a knock.
Just as he had done against Mexico, Joao Ricardo kept his side in the game, leaping to save low shots from Andranik Teymourian and Rasoul Khatibi.
Iran had the best chances of the first half but were let down by poor finishing in a stadium where for once in this well-attended World Cup, there were empty seats.
Angola had lived dangerously in the first period when Vahid Hashemian’s header from a corner was cleared off the goal line by Mendonca’s hip and Joao Ricardo also punched away a well-directed Daei free kick after 20 minutes. — AFP
