Mexico had to listen to the heart breaking thump of a shot bouncing off the post in each half, watched Angolan defender Jamba clear a ball off the line and suffered through one-handed, hooked arm saves from goalkeeper Joao Ricardo in their scoreless draw with Angola Thursday in Hanover.

The African team, playing in their second ever World Cup match, defended in numbers and went forward tentatively, creating hardly any chances for themselves and nearly no good attempts on goal with star striker Akwa looking like a lost child so far away from the rest of his team.

Then, with 10 minutes remaining, they buried any offensive mentality they had when Andre Macanga was sent off with his second yellow card of the game for an unnecessary hand ball at midfield. Even a man up, Mexican forwards Guillermo Franco and Omar Bravo couldn't break through the Angola back line.

Mexico controlled the game but shared the points

Motivated by a crowd of 43,000 largely Mexican fans, a technically and tactically better Mexican side put on all the pressure, but reaped none of the rewards in the second half.

Whenever Ricardo La Volpe's side did manage to find a hold in the Angolan defense, Ricardo proved up to the challenge, parrying away a fierce drive by Mexico captain Rafael Marquez in the final minutes as well as several free kicks from Pavel Pardo and point-blank shot from Bravo just before half-time and again in the 66th minute.

Both teams signaled their intent to win the game in the second half when Angola brought on striker Mantorras and Mexico introduced Ramon Morales and the prolific Jose Fonseca, who created Mexico's most dangerous chances in the final 45 minutes.

Angola can now make a fairytale run to the second round if they beat Iran handily and Mexico lose against Portugal in their final games. Currently at the bottom of Group D, Iran play Portugal on Saturday.

The tie brought only the second point won by the five African teams at this World Cup.