dids

I couldn't watch either game today, because I had to work. However, I am heading out to meet up with the South Tyroleans in Vienna (surprising how many of us there are ) to watch the game. I am actually feeling a little bit sick now, because I am so nervous. I shouldn't be this into it, but I am. I will be so depressed if we lose. Ack.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Good luck!! I am going for Italy. Hope they win!!

PastyHusty

GO ITALIA!


USA 0-3 Czech Republic
'Czech'mate for the USA!

If you were asked to pick out the most one-sided match of the 2006 WC to date, it would have to be this one. The Czechs looked dangerous in attack and weren't troubled by the USA too much in defense. The first-half was particularly dominant for the Czechs, with 2 fine goals to go along with the performance. Koller's header was pretty much unstoppable after 5 minutes, and Rosicky's beautiful strike after 36 minutes. The match had actually become a little stale before Czech Rep made it 2-0, with a 20 yard strike from Reyna, which struck the post and had Cech beaten, seemed to liven up the affair again.

The USA looked like a beaten side early on in the second-half. While the Czechs always looked like they could fins a third, shown by Rosicky's shot which came back off the bar, USA didn't seem to have the key to unlock the Czechs. With about 20 minutes left, Johnson came to life and had one shot flash wide, another denied by Cech. Rosicky finished off USA with 15 minutes remaining when he latched onto a lovely through ball from Nedved, to skillfully finish.

The Czechs are a dangerous side, but what looks like a hamstring injury to Koller will put a downside on their day. USA need a small miracle to make it through now.


*ENYOS*

*Splashes Lizzy with water*


He has a cool name!


I'd be surprised if he doesn't start against Brazil. Cahill won the match for Australia and I'd expect him to be dangerous in their next group games.

DrTagnian

Neil - Japan's goalkeeper is Kawaguchi and not Nakazawa.

dids - Trust me, Italy won't lose.

Czech Republic look very strong and it's a pity we won't see Koller back this tournament, he's injuried. Despite that fact, they have enough replacements. Everyone's saying they're capable of coming far in the tournament, but assuming they end 2nd behind Italy, they'd be meeting Brazil in the 2nd Round, who are mentioned as the next World Champion ...

Or could Italy be ending 2nd in the group and got knocked out? Sorry dids, don't want to make you disappointment or so. Or another scenario, will Brazil reach the QF? It's fun to discuss when they haven't even played a single match, lol.

PastyHusty

I blame the heat for that mistake..


Depends on what happens between Italy and Ghana tonight first .. could we be in for a surprise!? I dont think so either, but this is Football. Then it depends on what happens between Italy and the Czechs, which is one match I'm excited about! Maybe Australia or Croatia could pull off a surprise against Brazil as well!?

I expect Brazil to do well anyway. Only 24 hours until we get a glimpse of just how well!

PastyHusty

..and now for something different!


Cutest Kangaroo of the day:

ForeverInLoveWithJus

haha lol.

I really enjoyed the Italy game, Essien was amazing, Pity they werent more accurate with their shots lol.

Virginity

I watched all 3 matches

for first match Australia Vs Japan i was alittle worried for Australia that they wouldn't win but at the end they did I was freaking out at the end of the match I was about to cry for joy lol

As for USA that pretty much sucked that was sad and poor match they weren't really into it, but congrates for Czech Republic

Yayyyy congrates for Italy they did well 2 goals not bad at all and as for Ghana they were a good team but they tried and it was there first match in World Cup maybe in the next match they do well.

PastyHusty

Italy 2-0 Ghana
Ghana impressed for the first half an hour of their first ever World Cup Finals match. IMO they matched Italy during this period. The game was open, both sides were playing well, both had chances. Toni really should have put Italy 1-0 after about 10 minutes, but he couldn't quite latch onto Pirlo's cross. Ghana's shooting could have been a bit sharper though, with a majority of their early chance going over or wide. It was clear by half-time that Ghana were inexperienced. In the 40th minute Pirlo was given lots of time and space to line up a shot and smash it in from 20 yards out. The Ghanian players were lazy in closing him down. After this, Ghana started to lose belief..

The second-half was even more open as Ghana went looking for a goal. Essien had the best chance early on in the half when he forced a great save out of Buffon from range. Just moments afterwards, Totti went down holding his right calf, and, taking no chances, Lippi immediately substituted him. Lets hope theres no serious problems there.

Penalty or not!? .. IMO, Italy were quite lucky to get away with De Rossi's challenge on Gyan in the 72nd minute. The Ghanian player may have gone down a bit too easily, but there was definite contact from the defender. Ghana were also pretty lucky not to be down to 10 men a few minutes later when Kuffour brought down Iaquinta with an awful tackle.. but the linesman had already flagged for offside.

Iaquinta looked to be quite badly hurt after this tackle, but he recovered and then capitalised on an awful backpass from Kuffour (poetic justice has been delivered!) to give Italy a winning start!

All in all, a great match, plenty of good Football, a vital win for Italy, and a mixed first display from Ghana - promising, but defensively lacking. Italy and the Czechs have a good grasp on Group E tonight.

dids

PEOPLEEEEEE!!! I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY! Gosh, I have SO much adrenaline in my system right now, this is INSANE. Watching the game with over 50 South Tyroleans was awesome.. however I was DYING up until that second goal (which was just beautiful ). SO SO nervous... all those corners and chances... wow...

Ghana played well though, and their goalie is not bad either! I was impressed.

The game against the Czechs should be interesting.. I actually could GO.. however it would be quite stressful, since I have to be back in Vienna on Saturday morning and the drive is long.. but wow.. what a game that would be to see live!! Though I'd probably die mid-way through, so maybe it's wise not to go.. Still.. I wish I could.. then again the Euro Cup is in Austria in two years, so maybe I can go then.

WOW. I am just high now, I don't know why I get SO into this... but I can't help myself. The good thing though is that I am wide awake now and can get some work done!

*edit* About the penalty, yeah Italy was lucky, but I think the referee was just making up for the bad call right before then!