Soccer: Portugal may coast home without the art of Deco

HATTINGEN - Portugal and Mexico would be satisfied with a dull draw in their final Group D match.

Leaders Portugal, on six points, are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 and a point in Gelsenkirchen will ensure the Euro 2004 finalists top spot. Mexico know another point will also send them through.

With the top two next facing Argentina or Netherlands, who meet in their Group C decider also tomorrow, there is no huge advantage in topping the group.

Portugal's Deco, fellow midfielder Costinha and striker Pauleta are one yellow card away from a suspension that would rule them out of the next round.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - who turned down the chance to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach after these finals - could rest the trio to ensure they start the knockout phase with a clean slate.

Deco, often linked with a possible move to join his former Porto boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, was man of the match in a 2-0 win against Iran and his creativity would be missed.

Portugal have looked neat and composed without having to stretch themselves and will find Mexico a stern test. The perennial central American qualifiers are flattered by their Fifa ranking of fourth, three places above Portugal - and five above Argentina.

But Mexico were short of inspiration when they failed to break down Angola in a goalless draw but coach Ricardo La Volpe pronounced himself unconcerned.

"I would be worried if I had seen the team playing badly," he said, hinting he would keep faith with the players who failed to penetrate the African side having beaten Iran 3-1 in their opener.

Striker Jared Borgetti is still out with a hamstring problem.

* Angola must end their goal drought against already-eliminated Iran to have any chance of qualifying from Group D. They will hope former colonial masters Portugal help them out by beating Mexico handsomely.

Portugal will be joined in the last 16 by Mexico unless the Mexicans lose while Angola beat Iran.

Even then, goal difference would decide who finishes second and plays the group C winners.

* Portugal v Mexico Gelsenkirchen, tomorrow 2am

* Iran v Angola Leipzig, tomorrow, 2am

- REUTERS