MEXICO LOOKING FORWARD BRAVO, FRANCO JOIN FONSECO UP FRONT.

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH Staff Writer

HAMBURG, Germany - Omar Bravo isn't used to star treatment, not with Mexico's national team. And Francisco ``Kikin'' Fonseca, the Tricolores' most popular player, knows his role isn't primary goal scorer. Both could be pivotal as Mexico pushes toward the round of 16 and beyond with star striker Jared Borgetti forced to the sidelines.

Bravo, who scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Iran in the Group D opener, likely will team with Fonseca and Guillermo Franco in Mexico's three-man frontline in tonight's clash with Angola at Niedersachsenstadion in Hannover. They're ready for the challenge.

``Borgetti is our forward with the most goals. We lose him, we lose a lot of potential,'' defender Gonzalo Pineda said. ``But Kikin, Franco, Bravo -- those are great players who are waiting for an opportunity, and they can do it very well.''

Borgetti, 32, who has a Mexico-record 38 goals in 76 international appearances -- including a world-best 14 in qualifying for the 2006 Cup -- sustained a torn left thigh muscle against Iran and has been ruled out for the Angola game and Wednesday's group finale against Portugal. It is uncertain he would be ready for the second round.

A Mexico victory, coupled with a Portugal triumph Saturday over Iran in Frankfurt, would clinch a second-round berth.

Fonseca, 26, has scored 19 times in 30 games -- 11 in qualifiers -- but was nearly dropped from the roster after complaining publicly about not playing in preparation matches. He replaced Borgetti in the 52nd minute against Iran.

``That was a dream that came true for me,'' Fonseca said, ``to play in the World Cup with all of the fans, all of my family and with all of my teammates' family members.''

It was a greater thrill for Bravo, who gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute and a 2-1 advantage with a superb finish in the 76th.

Fonseca said Monday. ``We get a really good feeling from all of the people.''

``It's been one of the most emotional days of my career...,'' Bravo said. ``Nothing makes a forward happier than scoring a goal, but what was more important was to take the lead.

``Even when they tied it, I never felt the game was slipping away from us.''

Lavolpe's tactical maneuevers, especially pushing Zinha forward, paid off in the final 20 minutes.

``If we plays as in the second half, we can do well (in the World Cup),'' said Lavolpe, who is trying to take Mexico to its third quarterfinals and first final four. ``We played an excellent game during the second half, with good use of the ball and penetration.

And with our defense, the goalkeeper didn't have to save anything.

``We have to have that for 90 minutes, not just 45, as in the first game.''

Associated Press contributed.

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Mexico's Omar Bravo, left, and Francisco Fonseca hope to fill the void left by star striker Jared Borgetti.

Omar Torres/Getty Images