SERBIA & MONTENEGRO VS. NETHERLANDS.

Byline: -- Scott French

Kickoff: 6 a.m., Zentralstadion, Leipzig.

TV: ESPN2, Ch. 34.

In brief: Group D is the ``Group of Death,'' and this showdown is one reason why.

Serbia & Montenegro update: There is much ado over S&M being down to 22 players after Dusan Petkovic, coach Iliya Petkovic's son, withdrew from the team following media charges of nepotism. More damaging for the opener will be Nemanja Vidic's suspension, dating from qualifying, which will force several lineup maneuvers. The Serb-heavy side went undefeated in qualifying behind suffocating defense.

Netherlands update: The Oranje have enough talent to win the Cup, but that's always true, and something -- too often racial disharmony -- always derails the Dutch hopes. They hope it won't be injuries. Five players are ailing, but only Rafael van der Vaart is expected to miss the game. If it's close, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, one of the world's best, could be pivotal.

MEXICO vs. IRAN 

Kickoff: 9 a.m., Frankenstadion, Nuremberg.

TV: Ch. 7 and 34.

In brief: Iran, in its third World Cup, believes it can advance from the group stage for the first time. The Group D opener is pivotal to that plan.

Mexico update: The big question concerns goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and whether he will play. He has returned to Germany after attending his father's funeral, but coach Ricardo Lavolpe wants to ensure he's in the right frame of mind before throwing him into the net. Mexico's defense is solid, but its attack relies heavily on Jared Borgetti, who is streaky.

Iran update: The Iranians, with their best team in history, will feel at home throughout the Cup. Four of the five most important players make their livings in Germany, including star playmaker Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich) and winger Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburger SV), and the fifth, striker extraordinaire Ali Daei, played for three German clubs before returning home. German-based midfielder Ferydoon Zandi (Kaiserslautern) will miss the game with muscle spasms and flu. A decision on dropping defender Sattar Zare from the roster because of a knee injury was to be made late Saturday.

ANGOLA vs. PORTUGAL

Kickoff: Noon, Rhein-Energie Stadion, Cologne.

TV: ESPN2 and Ch. 34.

In brief: Angola, the biggest surprise among qualifiers, takes on its former colonial master in Group D play.

Angola update: Even the Palencas Negras are downplaying their World Cup aspirations, simply making the field is the greatest sports accomplishment in the nation's history. Everything comes down to forward Fabrice Akwa's form. When he's on, Angola seemingly can do anything, usually because he scores. When he's off, as at the African Nations Cup earlier this year, failure is certain.

Portugal update: Most of Portugal's ``golden generation'' is gone and with nothing to show for it on the biggest stage. Among the tournament favorites four years ago, the Portuguese opened with a loss to the U.S. and failed to get out of the firstround. Two years ago, at home, they reached the European Championship final, then lost to Greece for the second time. There is one World Cup winner in their midst: Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari won the title four years ago as Brazil's boss.

CAPTION(S):

8 boxes

Box:

(1) GROUP A

(2) GROUP B

(3) GROUP C

(4) GROUP D

(5) GROUP E

(6) GROUP F

(7) GROUP G

(8) GROUP H