June 17.
The return of Deco.
Portugal dispatched Iran on Saturday with minimal fuss. They didn't impress overtly yet were never troubled. In their opening game against Angola they seemed to lack an offenisve playmaker, someone able to start attacks, pass the ball into offensive positions and generally pull string upfield. The space in front of the box was neglected and control of that are was given away cheaply. Deco's return solved this immediate dilemma.
Brazilian born Anderson Deco is one of Europe's premier playmakers, Apprenticed at Porto, he has blossomed into the complete midfield general. second to only Ronaldinho, he is capable of unlocking most defences with a few nifty well placed passes. Tireless running, infinite passing, his combination with Figo was a work of art. Portugal were solid without being spectacular at the back, Unlike Japorea 2002 they avoided any catastrophic comedy at the back and escaped without major blemishes.
For the amount of shots he takes and pouting he does, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a goal for obnoxious enterprise alone, he got one here while Deco scored the other one. Iran played competently enough but when you spend so much time defending against a team that attacks all the time there can only be one outcome. Despite their resolute defiance, and despite Ali Karimi's best efforts, Iran were eventually done in. You can't fault effort or attitude, as they did try, but they seemed to lack the overall quality required to succeed at this level... and Vahid Hashemian's finishing can only be described as non-existent. How he can call himself a striker is a tragedy. Mahdavikia and Karimi are 2 of Asia's finest midfield fulcrums, Vahid is one of the World's worst strikers.
Iran will be back. Portugal won't go far.
Portugal 2 - Deco, Ronaldo
Iran 0
Black stars explode.
I was terribly critical of Ghana's opening game - a bit overt it may seem, however I will stand by what I said - for the players they have they should really be playing better. They should be playing football, not spending their time cutting down the opposition.
I suspect coach Djukovic tore into them after their first game.
And boy did it work. This was a complete turnaround.
They attacked with purpose, broke with a vengeance, were slick in their passing and tireless in their running. They are a physical side, but this game they used it to supplement their offense, not characterize their defence.
Essien and Appiah were towers of strength in midfield, Kuffour and Kingston worked their socks off in defence and Asamoah and Muntari, fresh off difficult seasons in the depths of Serie A, were clinical in their finishing,
The Czechs didn't play badly at all. The first goal was a little flukey in that it bounced around a couple of times off a lofted free kick, but Ujfalusi did miss the clearing header, and it's hard to recover from that. Thereafter they threw numbers forward, trying to win the game, intent on salvaging something from the game, but inexplicably, they couldn't break though. Ghana held firm and the few occaions when the goal was threatened, Kingston stepped up a notch to make the save.
This is how Ghana should play. This is how they do play. African soccer took a huge step forward in this game. In one game, Ghana have ignited their hopes for progression while the Czechs took one back. Having started well against the USA they came unstuck against a faster, younger, more vibrant team. Woryringly they had no plan B. Rosicky and Nedved attacked with purpose but had no alternative route to goal. One might suspect that the tall presence of Jan Koller would have reduced their options a bit but Vratsilav Lokvec is still 6'6", enough height to trouble the defence. Galasek had a nightmare game, Jankulovski was absent and Ujfalusi made it a game to forget, by getting sent off, while conceding a penalty. Thereafter, chasing a game with only 10 men versus 11 - it was never going to happen. Ghana missed the penalty but had 6 more chances, Cech saving 5 but Muntari eventually scoring another goal. Game done and dusted
The Republic play Italy next while Ghana will be licking their lips for their upcoming tilt with the Americans.
Ghana 2
Czech Republic 0
Italians come unstuck.
Italy, so impressive in their first game, finally reverted to their old ways in this game. Like I had feared, their rookies commited some terrible errors and although the USA weren't a real threat, they clamped down enough to ensure the game finished a draw.
After a classic opening goal, Pirlo curling in a perfect free kick for fellow rossoneri to head home, Italy looked set on another compsed victory. But Zaccardo score an embarrassing own goal, turning in a corner when he was all alone and 5 feet away from goal. De Rossi then was completely unprofessional with a malicious elbow on McBride and got sent off. The game died down. Italy started defending and although the game descended into farce when USA had both Mastroeni and Pope sent off later on, the spectacle ended completely. Italy had no passion or desire, USA had little skill and were playing with 9 men.
I didn't watch after the 60th minute as I knew then the game would finish 1-1. This group is shaping up interestingly, Italy still leads on 4 points but everyone still has a chance of progressing. Group C may have been the group of death but Group E seems to be the tightest.
Pirlo is now the finished product, versalite and consistent, reminiscent of Robert Prosinecki at his peak. His dead ball delivery is exquisite.
Lippi must be troubled by the shambles of this game but he should not be unduly worried as his side still has enough experience to qualify, I would be more worried about the Czechs as they could win and still go out.
All goes to show - you never know in football - you never know.
Italy 1 - Gilardino
USA 1 - Zaccard (og)
The return of Deco.
Portugal dispatched Iran on Saturday with minimal fuss. They didn't impress overtly yet were never troubled. In their opening game against Angola they seemed to lack an offenisve playmaker, someone able to start attacks, pass the ball into offensive positions and generally pull string upfield. The space in front of the box was neglected and control of that are was given away cheaply. Deco's return solved this immediate dilemma.
Brazilian born Anderson Deco is one of Europe's premier playmakers, Apprenticed at Porto, he has blossomed into the complete midfield general. second to only Ronaldinho, he is capable of unlocking most defences with a few nifty well placed passes. Tireless running, infinite passing, his combination with Figo was a work of art. Portugal were solid without being spectacular at the back, Unlike Japorea 2002 they avoided any catastrophic comedy at the back and escaped without major blemishes.
For the amount of shots he takes and pouting he does, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a goal for obnoxious enterprise alone, he got one here while Deco scored the other one. Iran played competently enough but when you spend so much time defending against a team that attacks all the time there can only be one outcome. Despite their resolute defiance, and despite Ali Karimi's best efforts, Iran were eventually done in. You can't fault effort or attitude, as they did try, but they seemed to lack the overall quality required to succeed at this level... and Vahid Hashemian's finishing can only be described as non-existent. How he can call himself a striker is a tragedy. Mahdavikia and Karimi are 2 of Asia's finest midfield fulcrums, Vahid is one of the World's worst strikers.
Iran will be back. Portugal won't go far.
Portugal 2 - Deco, Ronaldo
Iran 0
Black stars explode.
I was terribly critical of Ghana's opening game - a bit overt it may seem, however I will stand by what I said - for the players they have they should really be playing better. They should be playing football, not spending their time cutting down the opposition.
I suspect coach Djukovic tore into them after their first game.
And boy did it work. This was a complete turnaround.
They attacked with purpose, broke with a vengeance, were slick in their passing and tireless in their running. They are a physical side, but this game they used it to supplement their offense, not characterize their defence.
Essien and Appiah were towers of strength in midfield, Kuffour and Kingston worked their socks off in defence and Asamoah and Muntari, fresh off difficult seasons in the depths of Serie A, were clinical in their finishing,
The Czechs didn't play badly at all. The first goal was a little flukey in that it bounced around a couple of times off a lofted free kick, but Ujfalusi did miss the clearing header, and it's hard to recover from that. Thereafter they threw numbers forward, trying to win the game, intent on salvaging something from the game, but inexplicably, they couldn't break though. Ghana held firm and the few occaions when the goal was threatened, Kingston stepped up a notch to make the save.
This is how Ghana should play. This is how they do play. African soccer took a huge step forward in this game. In one game, Ghana have ignited their hopes for progression while the Czechs took one back. Having started well against the USA they came unstuck against a faster, younger, more vibrant team. Woryringly they had no plan B. Rosicky and Nedved attacked with purpose but had no alternative route to goal. One might suspect that the tall presence of Jan Koller would have reduced their options a bit but Vratsilav Lokvec is still 6'6", enough height to trouble the defence. Galasek had a nightmare game, Jankulovski was absent and Ujfalusi made it a game to forget, by getting sent off, while conceding a penalty. Thereafter, chasing a game with only 10 men versus 11 - it was never going to happen. Ghana missed the penalty but had 6 more chances, Cech saving 5 but Muntari eventually scoring another goal. Game done and dusted
The Republic play Italy next while Ghana will be licking their lips for their upcoming tilt with the Americans.
Ghana 2
Czech Republic 0
Italians come unstuck.
Italy, so impressive in their first game, finally reverted to their old ways in this game. Like I had feared, their rookies commited some terrible errors and although the USA weren't a real threat, they clamped down enough to ensure the game finished a draw.
After a classic opening goal, Pirlo curling in a perfect free kick for fellow rossoneri to head home, Italy looked set on another compsed victory. But Zaccardo score an embarrassing own goal, turning in a corner when he was all alone and 5 feet away from goal. De Rossi then was completely unprofessional with a malicious elbow on McBride and got sent off. The game died down. Italy started defending and although the game descended into farce when USA had both Mastroeni and Pope sent off later on, the spectacle ended completely. Italy had no passion or desire, USA had little skill and were playing with 9 men.
I didn't watch after the 60th minute as I knew then the game would finish 1-1. This group is shaping up interestingly, Italy still leads on 4 points but everyone still has a chance of progressing. Group C may have been the group of death but Group E seems to be the tightest.
Pirlo is now the finished product, versalite and consistent, reminiscent of Robert Prosinecki at his peak. His dead ball delivery is exquisite.
Lippi must be troubled by the shambles of this game but he should not be unduly worried as his side still has enough experience to qualify, I would be more worried about the Czechs as they could win and still go out.
All goes to show - you never know in football - you never know.
Italy 1 - Gilardino
USA 1 - Zaccard (og)
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