EN World World Cup blog

[johnsemlak]

OK I'll do my round of predictions for today.

Portugal 2 Iran 0.
Czech Rep 3 Ghana 1
Italy 1 USA 0 (I woudn't be shocked if that ended in a draw)

 

[Klaus]

That's very likely a factor. It must be a difficult time for the players to focus. The team contains players from both countries.

Only the goalie was Montenegran.

More important than the score was the kind of football Argentina played: fast, precise, artistic and a marvel to behold.

Other teams should be afraid. Very afraid.

 

[jonesy]

The first african victory by Ghana means USA is now the only team in Group E not to have 3 points. It's going to be a crucial match for them tonight.

 

[Spud]

Its painfully obvious Argentina have peaked too soon...

Mind you the way we are playing England should peak sometime next year.

Though the Argentina match was a joy to watch (even though it was Argentina) and Serbia & Montenegro are no mugs. Off now to watch the italians give the yanks a footballing lesson..

 

[jonesy]

What on Earth is wrong with Italy? Zaccardo scores for the other team, de Rossi gets himself a red card, and the whole team has seemed really dazzled from the very start. Did someone pour ants into their pants or something?

Edit: and now Mastroeni takes a red card. Even players again. Man this match is crazy.

 

[Spud]

Thought sicknote (reyna) has had a good game so far, but Italy have not been there at all. Bet Zaccardo couldnt do that again if he tried and the red card was horrendous. Stupid tackle for the americans to even things up, no need they could have even gone onto win (well possibly not being the Italians)

 

[Crothian]

Wow, this ref in the USA game is red card happy

 

[jonesy]

Stupid tackle for the americans to even things up...

It shouldn't even have been red, it was just a late sweep. That was a yellow if I ever saw one.

And now USA gets another red. This isn't football, this is a mess.

The field looks really empty with three players missing.

 

[Spud]

It shouldn't even have been red, it was just a late sweep. That was a yellow if I ever saw one.

And now USA gets another red. This isn't football, this is a mess.

The field looks really empty with three players missing.

I dunno, it was late and the refs have been told to clamp down on the late tackles (i think the studs were high as well from memory), its one of those could go either way. Either way it wasnt a tackle he needed to make, should of stayed on his feet.

 

[johnsemlak]

Phew!! The US escape with a point.

A few notes from a US perspective:

I thought the US played best on 50-50 balls-they won numerous such challenges and I think this kept possesion in the US's favor until late. Their agreesive play did result in two reds, but overall it was positive. I did think the two reds were mistakes by the US-neither were threatening situations. Still, the overall agression was needed.

Landon Dononvon and Claudio Reyna played very well, IMO, and Keller made 2-3 brilliant saves. Gooch also played well.

Good tough result against a potential WC winner, and combined with the Czech-Ghana result it keeps the US in with a chance. I'll walk into my (almost entirely British) office with my head much higher Monday.