Mexico146;s Nuremberg trial

Mexico, ranked fourth in the world, want to prove they are an improving force against Iran in Sunday8217;s Group D game at the Frankenstadion.

Mexico, ranked fourth in the world, want to prove they are an improving force against Iran in Sunday8217;s Group D game at the Frankenstadion.

The surprise semi-finalists from last year8217;s Confederations Cup are determined to put past World Cup failures behind them. 8220;We have the belief we can achieve anything after the success of the Confederations,8221; Mexico midfielder Pavel Pardo said. 8220;If we play like we did then, taking every game like a Cup final, then we can go even further.8221;

Mexico, who have qualified 12 times, failed to go beyond the second round in the last three World Cups.

Captain Rafael Marquez, generally a holding midfielder, is expected to move in to central defence to direct a back five who have been shaky in recent months. Keeper Sanchez is due to return to Germany on Saturday and will be keen to play in his first World Cup.

THE SQUADS

MEXICO: Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez 1, Jose Corona 12 038; Guillermo Ochoa 13; Defenders: Claudio Suarez 2, Carlos Salcido 3, Rafael Marquez 4, Ricardo Osorio 50, Gonzalo Pineda 14, Jose Antonio Castro 15, Mario Mendez 16, Andres Guardado 18 038; Francisco Rodriguez 22; Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado 6, Zinha 7, Pavel Pardo 8, Rafael Garcia 20 038; Luis Perez 23; Forwards: Jared Borgetti 9, Guillermo Franco 10, Ramon Morales 11, Jose Fonseca 17, Omar Bravo 19 038; Jesus Arellano 21

IRAN: Goalkeepers: Ebrahim Mirzapour 1, Hassan Roudbarian 12 038; Vahid Talebloo 22; Defenders: Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh 3, Yahya Golmohammadi 4, Rahman Rezaei 5, Hossein Kaabi 13, Sattar Zare 18, Amir Hossein Sadeqi 19 038; Mohammad Nosrati 20; Midfielders: Mehdi Mahdavikia 2, Javad Nekounam 6, Ferydoon Zandi 7, Ali Karimi 8, Andranik Teymourian 14, Mehrzad Madanchi 21 038; Masoud Shojaei 23; Forwards: Vahid Hashemian 9, Ali Daei 10, Rasoul Khatibi 11, Arash Borhani 15, Reza Enayati 16 038; Javad Kazmeian 17

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: Roberto Rosetti Italy; Assistant Referees Cristiano Copelli Italy 038; Alessandro Stagnoli Italy; Fourth Official: Jerome Damon South Africa 038; Stand-by: Enock Molefe South Africa

Karolos Grohmann