COLOGNE, Germany (AP):
THE LAST time Portugal and their former African colony Angola met on a soccer field, sparks flew.
A bad-tempered friendly in Lisbon five years ago had to be abandoned 20 minutes from the end after four Angolans were sent off for brutal tackles and dissent.
The two countries face off again today in their Group D opener at the World Cup. The chances of another nasty clash are slim, though. It's shaping up more as a demonstration of kinship.
"I think there'll be a huge spirit of friendship between the players, the coaches and the fans," said Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, a Brazilian. "It's an important game for the Portuguese-speaking world. We'll show the world an example of fraternity and tenderness."
Portugal striker Pauleta, who played in that 2001 match, said he couldn't imagine a repeat in Germany.
"It's impossible for such a thing to happen again. It would be terrible for a competition like the World Cup," he said yesterday.
In the countries' only other encounter, a 1989 friendly game, Portugal trounced Angola 6-0.
Angola are World Cup rookies and eager to show their presence is not a fluke.
But Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves thinks his players will lift their game in Cologne.
"Portugal have never played Angola in an official competition so this game will be different from past matches between our teams," he said.
Portugal have also developed a habit of choking in their opening games at major tournaments. At the 2002 World Cup, they lost their first game against the United States 3-2 in an upset and went home after the first round.
At the 2004 European Championship, which they played at home, Portugal started out with a 2-1 loss to Greece.
"We know what it's like to lose your opening game. It makes things so much harder. It'd be a disaster to lose tomorrow," Pauleta said.
Portugal have brought their most experienced team ever to Germany, with close to 800 caps in total, and has formidable firepower against the shaky Angolan defence.
Portugal winger Luis Figo, who has made 120 international appearances, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian-born playmaker Deco, and all-time leading scorer Pauleta are all expected to be fit.
