Monday, June 12, 2006

Day 4 World Cup 2006

Day 4

Australia 3 Japan 1

How do you go 80+ minutes then give up 3 goals? The Socceroos pulled a stunning come-from-behind to claim 3 points in their group. Japan got their goal in the 26th minute, but super-sub Tim Cahill entered the game in the 53rd minute, and netted goals at the 84th and 89th minute. Then in extra time Aloisi added the final insult. So momentarily, Australia sits atop Group F over heavy weight (yet to play) Brazil and Croatia.

US 0 vs Czech Republic 3

Ok...so, facing the number two team in the tournament the US fell. What was disappointing in this loss was the total lack of "git-r-done" displayed by the US. Arena made a nice move to start the second half by putting Johnson and O'Brien on the field. I have yet to see the entire game, but, from what I have seen so far, McBride was a non-factor. Beasley seemed overwhelmed with the size of the opposition and seldom seemed to have a form.

Koller proved to be a monster in the middle and physically manhandled Pope to get the first goal. The American's never adjusted to the physical style of play by the Czech's and seemed to be playing one to two men short the entire match.

Arena needs to go back to the board. The lineup he had just did not get it done, and seemed to be at odds to find a rhythm. If this was a dance, the US was doing the Polka, and the Czech's were in final form for "So you think you can Dance." The saturday game is now must win, and we cheer for the Czech's to win out.

Italy 2 Ghana 0

Ghana's attack was nice. They strung together several nice plays and seemed to take it right at Italy. They were creative and dangerous. Italy seemed to play predictable and took advantage of Ghana mistakes to claim their 3 points. A severe misplay in the back resulted in the final goal of the match. Ghana had the edge in possession 53%, but managed only 4 shots. Italy is dangerous, but didn't appear lethal.

USA OUTLOOK -- The US needs to find a form. Lineup for Saturday:

Keeper -- Keller
Defense -- Pope, Onyewu, Albright, Bocanegra
Mids -- Beasley, Donovan, O'Brien, Reyna
Forwards -- Johnson, Wolfe

I think Johnson shows he deserves more time. Wolfe is a playmaker. I think he and Johnson could have a good game up top. I did not like Beasley and Donovan today. I like it better when the two of them flow through the play and take positions dictated by the run of play, not a pre-set alignment. They both are creative and electric when they can challenge more than one position/player.

I have not been a Reyna fan, but, I think he could be a playmaker/distributor. Today was the first time I recall him taking a shot in an WC match that seemed to have a prayer going in. I agree with Marcelo today, Onyewu seemed to have a better day once Koller was gone. I think he will be needed against Italy.

Pope needs to be a leader, love the guy since he was at DC United under Arena -- but, he needs to get some teeth in his game and bite some butts. Maybe Berhalter would bring leadership to the back.

World Cup Day 3

Well, day 3 is in the books. Nothing spectacular in the three matches.

Netherlands best Serbia and Montenegro 1-0. SCG needs to organize their midfield to claim the remaining six points for this group. That does not look likely with Argentina still on their dance card. The oranje need a win against Ivory Coast, then a draw against the Albiceleste would assure them through to the second round.

Argentina over Ivory Coast 2 - 1. Argentina hit the cruise control a little too early in the second half and had to hang on to finish off the Ivory Coast 11. Drogba netted the Ivory Coast's goal and squandered a couple of chances that could have earned the Elephants a draw or maybe even a win. The Ivory Coast may pull a win against either Netherlands or SCG with their pressure.

Mexico 3 - Iran 1
The South of US guys were slow starting, but got it going behind Bravo, who netted 2 for the Greenies. Iran started well, but couldn't keep up with the Mexicans in the end.

Angola 0 - Portugal 1
Not alot of excitement in what I saw of this game. Pauletta's fourth minute netbender was the difference. Portugal may be playing for second behind the group's current leader Mexico (ahead on goal differential).

Sunday, June 11, 2006

WC 2006 Day 2

Well, the T&T game was the best of the day. Here is something else I noticed about games today:

Beckham can bend a mean ball -- yeah, we already knew it, but he still proves it over and over

The losing team thus far has scored in all matches except the Poland/Ecuador game where Poland failed to mark the board. Even Paraguay managed a goal in their loss to England -- albeit an own goal that saw them fall 1-0. Still, they scored, kinda.

Worst referee job thus far: Belgium native Frank DE BLEECKERE who took center field in the Argentina vs Ivory Coast game. Missed a PK call that could have really made this game exciting. Managed several other questionable calls. And managed to be able to waste more time than any of the players.

Trinidad & Tobago gets Draw with 10

WOW! Trinidad & Tobago forced a draw with the Swedes. Playing down a man for almost the entire second half, the T&T claimed a point in their first ever World Cup appearance by using a combination of spirited play and the player of the match Hislop (keeper in 1988 for Howard University in NCAA finals). Soccer naysayers may scoff at the excitement that a 0-0 score can incite. But, let them...this game was EXCITING!

For Hislop, making the appearance between the pipes was something he may have looked forward to, but, hardly expected. During warm-ups for the match, he was called to the pitch when starting keeper Kelvin Jack went down. Imagine sitting out there probably lazily kicking the ball around, revelling in just being there. Quickly he has to transition from bench to pitch. Miraculously, T&T goes into the half tied 0-0. Then, in the second minute of play of the second half, Avery John draws his second yellow for T&T and is sent off.

The stage is set, all the players are in position. What we see next can only be described as stunning. The 37 year old keeper (and former NASA-intern) comes up as big for his country as any man thus far. With the help of Brent Sancho and Carlos Edwards he pitched what may be the equivalent of a no-hitter. That is how exciting it was.

0-0, not boring, when this small caribbean nation stunned the world and gave announcement to their arrival on the largest sports stage in the world. With England getting an own goal win against Paraguay. This draw completely opens up the number 2 position in this pool. Emotionally, T&T got so much more than their 1-point win. They got respect, emotions, and everyone else's heart in making their bid to be the first caribbean nation to make the second round in ever!

At the end, the Soca Warriors were dancing while a stunned Sweden slumped to the ground in agony. This game is the heart and spirit of the world cup. Number 47 in the world, just took number 16 to the dance, and stood them up! Bring on the games, the Soca Warriors are dancing!

WC 2006 Day 1 addendum

19th minute of play, the BundesBoys are up 2-1. Klose tucked in a nice one a few minutes ago. The opening was reportedly electric. OOps..they are putting the magic spray on someones ankle -- I need a gallon of that stuff. This game might finish with 8+ goals at the pace.

Final result was Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2. German offense was efficient and Klose finished with two goals. Costa Rica speed abused the German offsides trap. The German defense is suspect. The readdition of Ballack might shore it up, but it has got to be better.

World Cup 2006 Day 1

Ok soccer fans, here we are -- Day 1 of the world's biggest event. This is the World Cup, the most passionate event in sports.

Today we get two matchups; Germany with their teutonic efficiency will meet Costa Rica in game 1, the opener.

Some may think this will be a closely contested game and should be interesting for the first 15 minutes or so. The BundesBoys will be short star Michael Ballack but will still have enough stars out to light the sky. Costa Rica (nickname the Ticos) on the other hand will be out to replay the glory of Senegal when they unceremoniously clipped host France in the opener in 2002. I am going to pick the BundesBoys in this one, 1-0 (1-0 is the most common opening game score, so I might be safe). However, Bundes-striker Klose may just have a thing to say about that score being higher.

Poland takes on Ecuador in the second match. These two met in a friendly just this past November with Poland claiming victory 3-0. I don't expect that margin will be the final, but, I think a 2-1 Polish win is likely.