The end of Iran's world Cup

It wasn't meant to end this way for Ali Karimi. A full ten minutes after the final whistle and Iran's star player was sat motionless on the floor beside the dugout. He cut a disconsolate figure.

It was here playing in the country where he lives and works that Karimi was hoping to lead Iran to their best ever showing in a World Cup. Playing betwixt and between attack and midfield he was to be the fulcrum of the side, the man who made things happen.

In Frankfurt, just as he was a week ago against Mexico, Karimi was withdrawn after an hour's play, his effectiveness cruelly undermined by a lack of both form and fitness.

He and Iran can but rue the ankle ligament injury sustained in March while on duty in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, the repercussions of which have twice brought a premature end to his time on the pitch and ultimately his country's involvement in Germany.

As a consequence of the 2-0 defeat to Portugal Team Melli can count their third World Cup as over. Only a match against Angola remains.

But the Group D table does not tell the full story of Iran's tournament thus far; two defeats and five goals against fails to do justice to a team which, regardless of any preconceptions to the contrary, counts amongst its number some genuinely talented and technically proficient players.

Despite carrying a little extra timber Karimi again proved, particularly in the first half against Portugal, that on his day he is one of the special midfield breed that can both create play for his own team and effectively disrupt the intentions of the opposition.

Mehdi Mahdavikia, another Persian plying his trade in the Bundesliga, was at the heart of almost every single positive Iranian move.

The Hamburg right winger's energetic and darting runs, his delivery from set-pieces and particularly his crossing into the box caused more than a few problems for the Portuguese defence; he can feel rightly aggrieved at the near-criminal profligacy of the Iran 'striker' Vahid Hashemian.

Operating as the lone attacker for the majority of the game Hashemian was charged with latching onto long-balls, holding up play and converting the crosses that came his way. Sadly for him he failed consistently on almost every count and, frustratingly for his colleagues, at almost every time of asking.

The Iranian media will again tear apart the 'negative' tactics of Iran coach Branko Ivankovic, despite the fact that his was a thoroughly sensible, pragmatic approach. Ivankovic's critics will doubtless argue that playing five men across the middle left Hashemian isolated and resulted in a packed and unnecessarily cautious midfield.

Perhaps his critics have a point, but without deploying smothering tactics to stifle a superior opposition, the fluid Portuguese would have been able to rely solely on Costinha and Maniche to break down every Iranian move and allow extra room for Deco, Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

That particular triumvirate proved the architects of Iran's downfall, but it took them until the last third of the game to wear down their opponents and make their class tell.

While Figo started brightly, and played better than any one of his advancing years really ought to, he ran out of steam in the second half relying increasingly on vision and exceptional ball control.

Conversely, Figo's heir apparent, Cristiano Ronaldo, took a little time to reach full speed before turning in a scintillating performance, a performance which he crowned with a superbly taken penalty in the 80th minute.

Deco meanwhile was the embodiment of consistency, marrying his obvious flair and skill with an admirable dedication to defensive duties. His goal, created by Figo who at the time had just begun to show signs of fatigue, was a wonderful 30-yard drive and added the gloss to fine individual performance.

Six months ago like the vast majority of the footballing world your correspondent sat, pen and paper in hand, before the television eagerly awaiting the World Cup draw.

The suspense, like the ridiculous, enthusiasm-sapping FIFA preamble, was unbearable - only the appearance of Heidi Klum sated my displeasure at the evening's proceedings. When the draw finally arrived and it was discovered that F2 v F4 was to be Portugal versus Iran there was an undeniable sense of mild disappointment.

However, six months on and the performance of both Seleção and Team Melli, not to mention both sets of magnificent fans, made for a thoroughly enjoyable spectacle. While certainly not one of the tournament's finest, nor most memorable encounters, it was certainly not one of the worst.

Next up for Portugal, who might just be finding the right gear, will be Mexico for the game that decides who tops Group D and who takes the runners-up berth.

Not that there's really any discernable difference between the two; while the second-placed team will most likely meet the imperious-looking Argentina, winning the group hardly represents easy passage to the quarter-finals for it is likely that the Netherlands lie in wait, a team who, rather like Portugal, seem to be finding their feet in the tournament.

Next up for your correspondent is a short journey from the stadium into Frankfurt itself and the opportunity to sample Ebbelwoi; the local tipple which I'm informed is some sort of cider/apple wine.

MAN OF THE DAY: Deco, Figo and Ronaldo are all worthy of note, but this is not 'Man of the Match'. Long after the whistle Ali Karimi sat forlornly beside the bench trying to mask the tears in his eyes by drenching his face in water. It was a poignant image. Even if fully fit the world stage might not have been set alight by Karimi, but it is a desperate shame for both player and country they will never know what could have been achieved.

IRAN VERDICT: Sadly, the tournament will end with a largely meaningless fixture against Angola, but with pride and some vociferous fans to play for Iran will strive to at least finish third in the group. A brave effort, but poor finishing has proved costly.

PORTUGAL VERDICT: Not at full speed yet, but several gears higher than they were against Angola. Luiz Felipe Scolari's men could just be finding form at the right time. With the Deco-Figo-Ronaldo axis showing glimpses of more to come Mexico should beware.

STADIUM VIEW: With the roof closed to prevent Europe's largest video screen from casting enormous shadows on the pitch and infuriating television broadcasters the noise within the stadium ahead of the match was extraordinary. Whipped into a frenzy through a combination of fervent anticipation and on-pitch vox-pops from backroom staff, both sets of fans threatened the integrity of weaker eardrums.