Scorching stuff

Japan led Australia until the 84th minute of the game with a 26th minute strike by Nakamura. After over an hour of end-to-end football, Australia finally exploded in the dying stages of the game with their first-ever goals and points in a World Cup Finals with Cahill scoring twice (84’ and 89’) and John Aloisi adding the third after 92’.

Photo: Scorching stuff

Brazil plays Croatia tomorrow in the second Group F game.

Czech Republic 3 USA 0

The difference between these two teams was that both played well but the Czech Republic had more imagination, translated in three goals without reply. The players of the USA play a game like painting by numbers, making their game plan wholly predictable. Nedved and Rosicky were the midfield motor for the Czechs but the whole team seemed to be playing in a different league.

Koller opened the scoring after 5’. Rosicky scored the second after 36’ and added the team’s third on 76’.

Next games: 17th: Italy-USA and Czech Republic-Ghana; 22nd: Czech Republic-Italy and Ghana-USA

Italy 2 Ghana 0

The result does not say it all. Ghana fought well and passed the ball around the field, launching dangerous attacks and playing as equals with the powerful and cohesive Italy, who while playing well, did not deserve the two-goal difference. However those who score gain the points. Pirlo scored Italy’s first on 40’ and Iaquinta took advantage of a terrible defensive error after 82’.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru