Grups B and C kick off

England have Carlos Gamara, the Paraguay captain, to thank for the single (own) goal which carried them through, after he deflected a Beckham cross past the hapless Justo Villar, whose misery was compounded four minutes later when he limped off, after stopping an England attack. Aldo Bonbadilla was up to the task and from then on, Paraguay held England in an equal game due to England’s rock-solid defence.

Photo: Grups B and C kick off

Eriksson promised improvements for the next games, and Paraguay’s Anibal Ruiz was satisfied at his team’s performance against a strong opponent “with great individual qualities”.

On 15^th June, Paraguay face Sweden and England play Trinidad and Tobago, and on 20^th, it is England-Sweden and Paraguay-Trinidad and Tobago.

Caribbean heroes

In the other Group B game, Sweden came up against a spirited Trinidad and Tobago side, in which the ten Caribbean heroes hung on until the end to gain a memorable goalless draw. The Football Warriors began without main goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, however Shaka Hislop was up to the challenge.

Trinidad and Tobago had Avery John expelled after 46 minutes for a second yellow card and since then the side pulled together as a team, although the goalmouth lived through some enchanted moments. However, Trinidad and Tobago can leave this World Cup with their heads held high. The question is now whether this team can produce the goods for a second time against England and Paraguay.

Argentina 2 Ivory Coast 1

In Goup C. the South American giants came up against a fearless African side, playing in the finals for the first time. Argentina took advantage of its opportunities, being more clinical than the Africans, who arrived in the area but saw their attempts on goal snuffed out.

However, Ivory Coast never gave up and were rewarded in the 81^st minute, through Drogba. Hernan Cespo had given Argentina the lead after 24’ and Saviola scored the second on 37’ however it was not by chance that Argentina finished the game with nine men behind the ball. Ivory Coast earned and deserve the res+ect of Holland and Serbia-Montenegro, the other members of Group C.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru