Italy v Ghana
Quite an entertaining match, and the Azzurri deserved their 2 goal victory imo, as they created more chances than Ghana, though it has to be said Ghana's finishing was quite terrible.
Marcello Lippi has instilled an attacking intent into the squad, unlike previous Italian teams, most recently Giovanni Trapattoni's awful Italian side, who seemed to be content with a goal's lead.
And it showed, as Luca Toni smashed a terrific effort off the bar, after bamboozling the Ghana defender, and unleashing an unstoppable drive, which crashed off the bar (Mark Lawrenson of the BBC helpfully suggested that the shot was 'violent'.) Toni was quite impressive, as he led the Italian line alongside a virtually anonymous Alberto Gilardino, whose place in the team has been questioned, some people even preferring Pippo Inzaghi, who I must say has been in red hot form for Milan in the past season. Toni showed some good footwork for a big man (sorry Crouchy), and was a threat in the first half.
The goal came late in the first half, after a well worked corner to Pirlo, and the Ghanians did not close him down, and they were duly punished as Pirlo curled one into the far corner, the low shot somehow eluding the 15 odd bodies in the penalty area. One of the goals of the tournament so far for sure.
Second half as expected did not continue the pace of the first half, but a worry would be Totti cltuching his shin 5 mins into the second half. Totti, who went close in the first half with a terrific free kick from 35 yards out, had been stamped on the shin I think by Paintsil, and was immediately brought off for Cameronesi. It will be a worry for Lippi as Totti is the focal point of the Italian side, and I would think it is a precaution rather than anything else, that he was brought off. Meanwhile later in the game Iaquinta was also brought on, in place of the ineffective Gilardino.
And boy did he make an impact, scoring a good goal after a terrible backpass by Samuel Kuffour, formerly of Bayern Munich. He rounded the keeper and tucked it away very well, 2-0. Kuffour's reaction was interesting, as it was similar to the reaction he had after a particular goal in the 92nd minute of the match, on 26th May 1999.
And so full time it was 2-0, good start for the Azzurri, and they will have to get their finger out to get a positive result against the Czechs, who were very impressive against a lacklustre team USA, by far the most fluid side so far. Of course most probably the second placed team in this group will have to play Brazil, so it is imperative the Italians get a good results against the Czechs.
TONIGHT:
South Korea v Togo 9pm
France v Switzerland 12am
Brazil v Croatia 3am
I am not expecting anything special from Togo against South Korea, especially after the shenanigans that have surrounded their manager, so I would think South Korea would get a solid 2-0 win against a distinctly average Togo.
Switzerland are my tip for the surprise of today, I think they will be able to get a draw out of France, whom they also drew twice in the qualifiers. France are an aging team, while the Swiss are completely the opposite, the up and coming nation of Europe, and they are coming along nicely to host the Euro 2008 tournament.
We've waited a long time for Brazil, and tonight is the night that the likes of Adriano, Ronaldinho, Kaka, and of course Ronaldo who will be bidding to score in his 3rd World Cup, as well as trying to equal Gerd Muller's long standing record of the highest total goals of 14. Ronaldo currently has 12. Expect Brazil to get their campaign off to a good start, and join Australia at the top of Group F.
Marcello Lippi has instilled an attacking intent into the squad, unlike previous Italian teams, most recently Giovanni Trapattoni's awful Italian side, who seemed to be content with a goal's lead.
And it showed, as Luca Toni smashed a terrific effort off the bar, after bamboozling the Ghana defender, and unleashing an unstoppable drive, which crashed off the bar (Mark Lawrenson of the BBC helpfully suggested that the shot was 'violent'.) Toni was quite impressive, as he led the Italian line alongside a virtually anonymous Alberto Gilardino, whose place in the team has been questioned, some people even preferring Pippo Inzaghi, who I must say has been in red hot form for Milan in the past season. Toni showed some good footwork for a big man (sorry Crouchy), and was a threat in the first half.
The goal came late in the first half, after a well worked corner to Pirlo, and the Ghanians did not close him down, and they were duly punished as Pirlo curled one into the far corner, the low shot somehow eluding the 15 odd bodies in the penalty area. One of the goals of the tournament so far for sure.
Second half as expected did not continue the pace of the first half, but a worry would be Totti cltuching his shin 5 mins into the second half. Totti, who went close in the first half with a terrific free kick from 35 yards out, had been stamped on the shin I think by Paintsil, and was immediately brought off for Cameronesi. It will be a worry for Lippi as Totti is the focal point of the Italian side, and I would think it is a precaution rather than anything else, that he was brought off. Meanwhile later in the game Iaquinta was also brought on, in place of the ineffective Gilardino.
And boy did he make an impact, scoring a good goal after a terrible backpass by Samuel Kuffour, formerly of Bayern Munich. He rounded the keeper and tucked it away very well, 2-0. Kuffour's reaction was interesting, as it was similar to the reaction he had after a particular goal in the 92nd minute of the match, on 26th May 1999.
And so full time it was 2-0, good start for the Azzurri, and they will have to get their finger out to get a positive result against the Czechs, who were very impressive against a lacklustre team USA, by far the most fluid side so far. Of course most probably the second placed team in this group will have to play Brazil, so it is imperative the Italians get a good results against the Czechs.
TONIGHT:
South Korea v Togo 9pm
France v Switzerland 12am
Brazil v Croatia 3am
I am not expecting anything special from Togo against South Korea, especially after the shenanigans that have surrounded their manager, so I would think South Korea would get a solid 2-0 win against a distinctly average Togo.
Switzerland are my tip for the surprise of today, I think they will be able to get a draw out of France, whom they also drew twice in the qualifiers. France are an aging team, while the Swiss are completely the opposite, the up and coming nation of Europe, and they are coming along nicely to host the Euro 2008 tournament.
We've waited a long time for Brazil, and tonight is the night that the likes of Adriano, Ronaldinho, Kaka, and of course Ronaldo who will be bidding to score in his 3rd World Cup, as well as trying to equal Gerd Muller's long standing record of the highest total goals of 14. Ronaldo currently has 12. Expect Brazil to get their campaign off to a good start, and join Australia at the top of Group F.
posted by Melvin at 6:31 PM
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