Frentic Saturday the 17th

First match on Saturday was no indication of what will happen in next two. Portugal dominated Iran to ease themselves for 2-nil victory and qualify for the second round and left Iran to reflect on a poor campaign. Portugal might have gone ahead in first half after creating some early chances but Iran failed to make an impact. In start of second half Iran played a much better game and it soon turned into an end to end contest. But it was Deco star of Portugal who broke the deadlock with 23 yard shot in top corner. For next fifteen minutes Iran battled hard for an equalizer which eluded them, though twice they came very close but once denied by the Goalkeeper and once the shot was just wide.

It was a dream come true for Ghana. First victory for the any debutants in Germany 2006, first victory for any African side in Germany 2006 and that too at the expense of Czechs who many termed as favorites to reach semis after their demolition of US. But football is a funny game and yesterdays result doesn’t matter. Infact it was Ghana who were on top from the start , scoring the fastest goal in this tourney so far just in 70 seconds , Czechs were shaken. Matthew Amoah and Appiah were in prime form and causing Czechs lots of problems who themselves had one decent chance when Poborsky hit one wide inside the box. But Czechs were clearly missing Jan Koller and Milan Baros as front line strikers. Second half had more pace to it and both teams were looking for a goal, Czech almost grabbed the equalizer when Pavel Nedved headed one in but offside whistle had been blown before. Ghana on other hand dramatically missed a penalty a chance which would have sealed the match. But finally in 82nd minute Muntari gave them the decisive lead with a 12 yard powerful shot which gave no chance to Peter Cech who I believe kept the Czechs well in the game with his miraculous saves though his team was disappointing while attacking and they just lost their way and gave way to nerves.

A wonderful win for Ghana their first entry in the World cup and they beat one of the favorites for Czechs they must forget this match and look forward to the game against Italians but still a big question hangs over their forward line.

Third match, the one of Azzurri vs. United States the one I have been waiting for. It was more of rugby than football(not soccer). Three free kicks in just inside two minutes for Italians was a clear cut indicator that US are in for an aggressive match and it really out off Italians from their plan. US seemed more like a dominating team enjoying more possession and keeping pressure on Italians. On the other side Italians were largely unimpressive and were hardly able to make any move. It seemed that American coach has got it tactically absolutely right and it stretched Italian’s midfield wide open. Against the run of play Azzurri got a free kick which Andrea Pirlo curled in and Gilardino’s diving header put Italians in front. This started a chain of bizarre events which made a mockery of game. First Zaccardo trying to clear a cross deflected the ball inside his own goal and US were back level and then De Rossi quite idiotically elbowed Brian McBride and was sent off straight away. Seeing his team down to ten men and out stretched Lippi brought Gennaro Gattuso in place of Totti(who had earlier received a yellow card) and the move almost paid off when Gattuso’s deflected shot went in but offside flag was on before it. The much anticipated Toni looked again very unimpressive and was conceding quiet a few offside decisions it seemed US had a plan against the two strikers and it was working fine. But just before the end of first half Pablo Mastroeni was sent off for a tackle on Pirlo and teams were back level on player’s numbers too.

Second half started in more dramatic fashion when Pope was sent off for second booking and it was felt that Azzurris will take full advantage of one man advantage and will seal the match but it seemed other way. Donovan was having an excellent game for Americans and all the time they kept pressure on the Italians. On the other hand it was Kesey Keller who made sure that Italians don’t go ahead with series of great saves from Del Piero who was brought in second half. The match finally without any more sending offs ended on 1-1 draw.

These results have thrown Group E wide open with all four teams have the possibility of advancing to the round 2, which makes the last day in this group pretty interesting and it also makes Ghana one of the favorites to end the group on top position if they can nail US and Italians either lose or draw to Czech. So many possibilities so much to play for. As for the Italians they will need to change their tactics a bit because with Totti almost in effective this formation doesn’t seem to work unless he can bring his magic back. For Czechs they need a striker from somewhere.