Angola's Antonio Mendonca (L) defends a player of Mexico during the second round match of World Cup 2006 Group D at Hannover World Cup stadium, Hannover on June 16, 2006. The match ended 0-0 finally. (Xinhua photo)

      HANOVER, June 16 (Xinhua) -- World Cup debutants Angola fought to the end like fighters, earning a goalless tie with soccer powerhouse Mexico in Group D here on Friday.

    The Africans frustrated the Mexicans due to a combination of some resolute defending and some superb goalkeeping from Joao Ricardo.

    The last 15 minutes saw ten-man Angola resisting waves of attacks by the more experienced, skilful and mad-going Mexicans.

    As midfielder Andre was sent off in the 79th minute for second yellow card, the African side met their toughest time but held firm to register their first ever point in the World Cup finals.

    Joao was no doubt the Man of the Match. He made countless incredible saves to keep the Angola sheet clean.

    Joao said "this is a very important match for us and we set up good image for our country."

    He said that the Angolan team's next aim is to win over Iran on June 21.

    Angola coach Luis de Oliveira Goncalves said after the match that "it was an excellent game, and it was a very difficult game for us as Mexico is a strong team."

    "In the first half, we played a balanced game. In the second half, we played very well even when we lost one man. We are very happy to win a point." Goncalves said.

    "The referee is very tough," he admitted.

    "But we are able to manage these yellow cards," he noted.

    "This is the first time we are in the World Cup. And this is the best result in Angola's history of football," he said.

    Africa's traditional heavyweights Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal and 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa failed to qualify for the 2006 finals in Germany, and four debutants Angola, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana all got off to losing starts in their first appearances.

    The fifth African nation, Tunisia, who have previous World Cup experience, drew 2-2 in their opener with Saudi Arabia.

    But Angola's tie with fourth-ranked Mexico is really something for the country and Africa as a whole in this World Cup.

    Mexico beat Iran 3-1 in their first World Cup game and currently topped Group D with one win and a tie.

    Angola, who lost to European giants Portugal 1-0 in their debut, played actively and creating some chances but sqaundaring them due to poor shooting skill.

    The Mexicans had more chances than the Africans but failed to covert any of them due to the brilliant form of the Joao and bad luck.

    Only two minutes into the game, Mexico came out firing with Carlos Salcido shooting just over the bar from some 20 meters.

    Forward Guillermo Franco was the most dangerous man from the Mexican side, who made several close-range shots. But all the shots were mysteriously denied by Joao.

    Angola began to settle and started to dominate possession from the 23rd minute when midfielder Figueiredo found space to shoot 25 yards out, lifting his strike a yard over.

    In the second half, Marquez seemed to have been given complete freedom to go forward as he was regularly making runs either up the right or straight down the middle.

    The 67th minute saw a fantastic chance for Mexico when an inexplicable give-away on the edge of their own area by Angola left Omar Bravo with just the keeper to beat, but Joao came up with the save.

    In the 71st, Rafael Marquez tried to chip in a cross from Jesus Arellano, but it went too far and out for a goal kick.

    In the 83rd, a wonderful chip for Jose Fonseca gave him a chance to volley from close range, but he missed wide of the near post.

    Then Marquez picked up the ball 30 yards out in the 88th minute but the Barcelona player's powerful strike was brilliantly tipped away by Joao. From the resulting corner only the goalpost saved the keeper's blushes with a stretching Bravo unable to take advantage of a rare misjudgement.

    FIFA Technical Study Group expert Kwok Ka-Ming from China's Hong Kong said here that Angola played a very tactical way, defending well and stopping their opponents' attacks very well.

    Kwok came to the World Cup group D match between African debutants Angola and soccer giants Mexico to make analysis of bothsides.

    "The performance of the Angolan goalkeeper, Joao Ricardo, was excellent. He caught all the crosses and did everything that was asked of him," Kwok said.

    Angola lost only 1-0 to European giants Portugal in their debutand gained confidence from that duel.

    Kwok said that Angola performed even better today than they didin the first game against Portugal.

    As for the 0-0 result, Kwok said "I was not surprised by Angola. They played a similar way against Portugal in their first game. "

    "They were very cautious, and they did not pay too much attention to their attack, but they kept the ball well and demoralised the Mexicans who had to chase them throughout the game," Kwok added.

    "Mexico did not perform well, especially up front," Kwok said.

    "Perhaps they were missing Jared Borgetti, but this should not take anything away from Angola's defense who did extremely well today," he noted.

    With their courageous display, Angola still have a chance of making the second round. Mexico, on four points, are nevertheless well positioned to qualify with the fixture against Portugal stillto play. Enditem