There's A Warning Sign On The Road Ahead
What had been a fairly predictable tournament in terms of results burst into life this weekend. Saturday's comfortable win by Ghana over the Czech's was completely unexpected, given the drubbing that the Eastern Europeans gave to the USA. And a completely deserved win it was to. Appiah is unsung by the English media, driving the midfield forwards, Essien though is showing why Chelsea paid a considerable lump of change for his services. He has competed for every ball and surprisingly, not launched into his trademark two-footed lunge. That the Ghanains took the lead after a minute will have helped to calm nerves no doubt but the composure they showed on the whole was reminiscent of the Cameroon in 1994 and a pleasant antidote to the panic-stricken play of Angola et al in this tournament. Even before Ujfalusi was rightly dismissed, the Czech's had been unable to get back into the game, Pavel Nedved was unable to read the game, and continually caught offside leading to the thoughts that perhaps this first appearance in the World Cup for him was a tournament too far. Having seen the Iranians make the Portuguese work damned hard for their place, that was surely the upsets done for the day.
But no, the Italians reverted to type. Scoring early, Gilardino scoring a well taken header and the Italians proceeded to sit back. In years gone by, this would have been game over but yesterday saw some uncharacteristically nervous defending saw Zaccardo slice the ball into his own net and De Rossi lost his cool and Brian McBride nearly lost conciousness when the formers elbow connected with the latters head. Pope and Mastroeni deservedly saw red, the latters lunge an appalling tackle but still the Italians could not break down the US. This result left the Group wide open. The winners of the final games will qualify. A draw would be enough for the Italians irrespective of the other result but the USA could sneak through if the Czech's are defeated.
Brazil improved on their performance against Croatia but still could have conceded if Harry Kewell had kept his head down and Dida not made one acrobatic save to prevent an Australian equaliser at 1 - 0. But like most winners of the World Cup, starting quickly is not a pre-requisite. The Australians will still qualify if they avoid defeat against Croatia whilst the Croats qualify if they win. Unless of course, Japan win which makes the race for second sort of open.
And what of the French? In deep crap basically. They have to win against Togo, assuming of course the Africans turn up. If, as expected the Swiss win tomorrow they join the Koreans on four points, facing each other on the final day. A draw in that game would leave the convulted path to the Second Round wide open, head to head results would all be draws, goals scored, goal difference similar unless someone wins comfortably. How is it that the French are in this position though? Having been totally in control for 80 minutes, they contrived to throw it away, spurning chances, hitting the woodwork, conceding a soft goal and almost losing it in the final minutes. They face Togo without Zidane and anything less than a win could mean that this match was his last in a World Cup.
But no, the Italians reverted to type. Scoring early, Gilardino scoring a well taken header and the Italians proceeded to sit back. In years gone by, this would have been game over but yesterday saw some uncharacteristically nervous defending saw Zaccardo slice the ball into his own net and De Rossi lost his cool and Brian McBride nearly lost conciousness when the formers elbow connected with the latters head. Pope and Mastroeni deservedly saw red, the latters lunge an appalling tackle but still the Italians could not break down the US. This result left the Group wide open. The winners of the final games will qualify. A draw would be enough for the Italians irrespective of the other result but the USA could sneak through if the Czech's are defeated.
Brazil improved on their performance against Croatia but still could have conceded if Harry Kewell had kept his head down and Dida not made one acrobatic save to prevent an Australian equaliser at 1 - 0. But like most winners of the World Cup, starting quickly is not a pre-requisite. The Australians will still qualify if they avoid defeat against Croatia whilst the Croats qualify if they win. Unless of course, Japan win which makes the race for second sort of open.
And what of the French? In deep crap basically. They have to win against Togo, assuming of course the Africans turn up. If, as expected the Swiss win tomorrow they join the Koreans on four points, facing each other on the final day. A draw in that game would leave the convulted path to the Second Round wide open, head to head results would all be draws, goals scored, goal difference similar unless someone wins comfortably. How is it that the French are in this position though? Having been totally in control for 80 minutes, they contrived to throw it away, spurning chances, hitting the woodwork, conceding a soft goal and almost losing it in the final minutes. They face Togo without Zidane and anything less than a win could mean that this match was his last in a World Cup.
posted by Yogi's Warrior at 8:45 pm
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