HANOVER, 17 June 2006 - Angola held Mexico in a dull 0-0 draw yesterday, leaving both teams still in with a chance of qualifying for the World Cup second round from Group D.

Mexico striker Omar Bravo almost broke the deadlock with two minutes left but his close range shot from the right of the area hit the outside of the post. The Mexicans also hit the woodwork in the first half and had an effort cleared off the line.

Angola had to play the last seven minutes without midfielder Andre Macanga, who was sent off for a second bookable offense after unnecessarily handling the ball, but they hung on.

The draw takes Mexico to four points, one ahead of Portugal, who play their second group game against Iran on today in Frankfurt. Debutants Angola, who earned their first point at a World Cup, are above Iran who have yet to earn a point.

"They (Angola) really never had a clear chance at goal," said Mexico keeper Oswaldo Sanchez who was never troubled in a match the Mexicans, ranked fourth in the world, dominated.

"All the clear chances were ours but unfortunately none of them went in. We have to keep working so that they go in against Portugal," he said. "I don't think anyone's happy about it." Roared on by a 43,000 crowd dominated by their green and red clad fans, the technically and tactically superior Mexicans had poured forward in the second half, helped by a switch to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation just after the break.

But the African side defended in numbers and looked increasingly confident going forward as the game went on, without creating many clear-cut chances.

Mexico's Bravo also had a chance in the 66th minute when he was put clear by a defensive error only to fire straight at keeper Joao Ricardo, who also made a fine flying save from a 25-meter Rafael Marquez strike late in the game.

Earlier, Angola defender Jamba cleared off the line from substitute Jesus Arellano after Ricardo saved from Mexico striker Guillermo Franco.

The Mexicans started well but coach Ricardo La Volpe's five-man backline struggled to get forward fast enough to trouble an African team who defended deep from the start.

The first half's best chance fell to Franco, who picked up a loose ball in the box only to hit his shot straight at keeper Joao Ricardo from point blank range.

Mexico's captain and Barcelona center back Rafael Marquez also smacked a free kick off the post in the 13th minute from just outside the area.

Angola again seemed awestruck and their first meaningful attack did not come until the 23rd minute, when Figueiredo fired a powerful right footer from about 20 meters just over the bar.

Lone striker and captain Akwa looked an isolated figure up front against Mexico's three central defenders until a switch in the second half. But he also went close after 32 minutes, heading over from Figueiredo's nicely-curled free kick.