[Пятхъдесят Шест]

Robben's goal was nice, but I wasn't overly impressed with either side. Serbia & Montenegro looked very frustrated by that orange wall. It seems as though this group is a bit of a no brainer now.

Mexico - Iran had its moments, eh? Pretty impressive for el tricolor. As hard as that is to say...

Other than appearing extremely nervous in the first five minutes of the game, I'd say Angola still stands a chance a second place in this group.

USA tomorrow!!

[Hip Priest]

I think the Netherlands were impressive in so much as they never looked i any danger of conceding a goal, but you're right.

Could be lots of goals in todays games, I suspect (cue 0-0 draws).

[Hip Priest]

Australia vs Japan started 18 minutes ago.

I was just thinking - this is a very imprtant game for Australia. Apart from the obvious point that they want to have points before playing Brasil, it has to be said that although Japan are Asia's premier side, they tend to fail fairly miserably when they encounter non-Asian opposition. So if Australia have credentials, it could be argued that this is a great chance to show some of them and claim three points.

[atari 2600]

JPN floats one over everybody in the AUS box...I was able to catch the AUS goal around 84 minutes too...

[Hip Priest]

Our Australian-friendly commentators are claiming that Japan's goal was produced by a foul on the Australian keeper (ie by a Japanese player barging into him), but the Japanese lad was very deliberately pushed by an Australian defender - it was the push that caused the collision. So the goal stands...

[Hip Priest]

Australia 3 - 1 Japan

Australia have laid down a challenge to the other teams in this group; it's not so long ago that players like Davor Sukur would have made Croatia a guarantee for qualification, but when they play Australia, they are going to face a serious threat and possible first-round elimination.

Japan had many chances but failed to finish the game off. They were also denied what may prove to be the clearest penalty of the tournament. Australia had the confidence to belieev that they could turn things around, and so it proved.

[Пятхъдесят Шест]

Way to go Socceroos!

Fantastic finish!

[atari 2600]

I think Koller may have just ended Keller's career.

[pokkeherrie]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

I think the Netherlands were impressive in so much as they never looked i any danger of conceding a goal, but you're right.

Could be lots of goals in todays games, I suspect (cue 0-0 draws).

i think that on paper the current dutch squad has their least impressive defense ever, but nevertheless they didn't even look that bad. although serbia and montenegro started way too defensively and paid the price for it when they were unable to change their playing style in the second half. after the game their players even openly criticised petkovic for his tactics. everything's still possible in group c though.

guus' luck from 4 years ago with south korea seems to be continuing with australia. cahill should have been sent off and japan given a penalty. other than that a good result for australia.

group d games today will be interesting; czechs leading 1-0 vs usa at the moment. but i'm mostly curious about italy vs ghana.

[jon boy]

usa v czech republic. all the american boardies watching as you get yr asses a wooped?

[pokkeherrie]

hmmm, usa almost scored the equaliser just a minute ago... but hitting the post.

[acousticrock87]

Seems like we just can't pass. We have the ball most of the time but can't do anything with it.

[Hip Priest]

HT. Czech 2 - 0 USA

Thye US haven't played badly so far, and they have had plenty of possession, haven't they? If they apply that possesson they can create real pressure, but it'll be very hard to get back into the game fully.

The Czechs have been so clinically - good passing, timing their runs just right. The Rosicky goal was a bit special. I'm hoping to see the US come back a bit next half.

I have to add that in the first half, refereeing decisions were going the way of the Czechs.

[Пятхъдесят Шест]

Ouch.

 

[Hip Priest]

Indeed.

Nedved and Rosicky were the key - everything that the Czechs did went through one or both of them. Rosicky will do well in the Premiership next season (he's just signed for Arsenal, I think).

The US had possession and showed some ability, but failed to get the ball around the Czech back four. A shame. But the Czechs were on form, although Koller may miss the rest of the tournament.

Italy vs Ghana tonight. On paper, a fairly straightforward Italian victory, but the Ghanaians will play a more physical game than the Italian league players are used to, so there may be a chance for Ghana to get an early start whilst the Italians adjust. It'll be tough, but it still shouldn't be too much of a problem though.

[atari 2600]

I'm proud to say that I didn't believe the us hype...Reyna looked like he should be playing for some other team...that other guy

CZE lookin' sharp as the #2 seed...Brazil better watch out for them & ARG

Rosicky = sick

too bad about Koller; hopefully he can recover

too bad i had Nedved in as the team captain...i think he may have gotten an assist for that last goal though...
there was one point where Neved got three penalties in a matter of minutes...ouch.

So far, the African teams have been playing impressive defense in many ways, so it might not be such a cakewalk for ITA versus GHA.

Carlos Edwards for Trinadad & Tobago (the tourney's lowest ranked-team) played with amazing defense against the tenacious Freddie Ljungburg the other day. Cool to see Hislop fend off so many strikes too.

[johnnywinternoshow]

whjat a goal for the italians! Up until now ghana were doing well. Gilardino is my captain today and the commentator just said he got the last touch, hope so!

Didn't get to see the games earlier, but I had eddie Johnson off the bench and up front for today and apparently he was the best for usa although he didnt score

[Hip Priest]

HT, Italy 1 - 0 Ghana.

Luca Toni is my captain for the day (and Buffon my keeper), so I'm hoping he'll score one or two in the second half.

Ghana are playing really well - if only Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan has taken their opportunites!

[johnnywinternoshow]

balls, both my italians are substitued

[Hip Priest]

At least they won't be yellow carded!

Ghana are lucky that Italy haven't capitalised further - there have been gaps in the Ghanaian defence this half, as they try to equalise.