well, tonight’s first fixtures have ended and it’s czech republic 0-2 italy and ghana 2-1 usa. italy win the group on 7 points and ghana finish as runners-up on 6 points.
a disappointing world cup campaign for both the czechs and the americans, but africa finally have a team through to the next round in ghana. cheers to the black stars!
czechs v. italians: ten-man czech republic never could capitalise on their first-match bludgeoning of the usa and have crashed out of the world cup, 0-2, to italy tonight.
the czechs had their chances to take the lead, then pull one back after italy scored about midway through the first half, and then to draw level after that, but just couldn’t take advantage. a last-minute first half red card, courtesy of a 2nd bookable offense by jan polak, made certain it wouldn’t happen. just to confirm it, italy’s filippo inzaghi scored 3 minutes from time to send italy atop the group and a likely date with either croatia or australia.
ghanaians v. yanks: listen, i was cheering for ghana in this game. in fact, i was hoping they’d win and italy would draw so it would give the africans top honours in the group.
when they went ahead in the 22nd minute, i was thrilled; when the u.s. drew level two minutes before the break, i was a little nervous. going in level at the break could have meant the difference for the u.s. in the second half, so i really wanted a second ghana goal to ease the nerves, even though italy’s winning against czech would have ensured ghana, provided they didn’t lose, went through.
ghana got the second goal right before break; however, it came from a terribly-given penalty when ghana’s razak pimpong, who must be ji-sung park’s long-lost ghanaian cousin, dove in the u.s. box after being barely pushed by u.s. defender oguchi onyewu. it was a dive park would have been proud to call his own and the ref bit on it. stephen appiah subsequently stepped up and drilled the penalty to give the africans the lead they’d never relinquish.
the second half was mostly ghana sitting back and awaiting the yank onslaught and the yanks were unlucky not to have levelled, but for poor finishing and the unwavering woodwork of the ghana goal. the africans held on and move on to the next round, most likely against holders brasil–barring, of course, a japanese miracle later this morning.
because of italy’s victory, the ghana penalty conversion doesn’t loom large–italy’s win assured that ghana only needed a draw to advance–but ghana were fortunate, nonetheless. that penalty was a shit call by the ref and it changed the complexion of the second half. instead of the yanks coming out knowing a goal could put them through, they had to play with the knowledge that no less than two goals were going to get it done.
let’s hope that other strokes of good luck in this tournament will be graciously acknowledged by some of our readers out there who are rather less beneficent when dubious refereeing decisions benefit their teams.
34 Comments
america lost
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
what’s with hating America for losing? They should have won against Italy, in my opinion. I think the Czechs are more in disappointment.
What’s with wishing all the best for African teams but shitting on Korea? I just don’t understand.
luxbearer = kneejerk
How’s the Chinese team doing? Oh,yeah, they’re not in the World Cup. Maybe in 2010, Lux.
Honestly, the Korea stuff is getting tiresome. I enjoy reading the posts, but the Park jibe is just gratuitous and unnecessary. First off, Park Ji Sung may hit the ground easily, but he is not a diver. It’s a crucial difference. Lee Young Pyo has been known to flop, but PJS just has a small frame. He is quick and agile, and is constantly (constantly) fouled. Check the second yellow against the Togo defender in the first match for a typical foul on PJS. Would you consider that a dive? I’m sure this post will be rebuked as blind pro-Korea fandom, but so be it.
This… is why soccer sux.
actually donnieknutts is very right about this one, IMO. There is a big difference between diving and falling easily and I probably should not have insinuated so vehemently in previous posts that Park does the former. He may have a bit of a reputation for falling on what seems like little contact but with his speed and agility I guess that’s to be expected some. I think he’s a great player who has an awful lot more to offer this club in the future. I hope he’ll be a little more aggressive in taking the ball to the goal which has been a little bit of a problem for him in his MU matches.
Anyhoo, too bad for US. Too little effort, too late. Ghana played a rough match by all accounts but it is a contact sport and without getting too rough it was enough to disrupt any rhythm the RW&B squad could get going. Good luck to Ghana in next round!
as far as the Ghana-united states game is concerned
united states == loser
Park’s main problem is finishing… he could’ve scored a handful more this year for ManU if he could just shoot like Scholes. He has to gain confidence, I suppose.
Ghana-Brazil is shaping up to be a cracker. Essien and Appiah fear noone.
Unfortunately Essien is out for the next match from two yellows. Bad news for the Black Stars (don’t shoot me that’s really their team name). Even without him though if they play like they have been it should be a tight match. In the end though I think Brazil is just too good. We’ll see though.
Lux, go give yourself a swirly…
That counts as an intelligent comment from lux.
Now, can you find Ghana on a map? Can we celebrate the fact that Ghana, though poor, has a far better human rights record and older democratic institutions than the PRC?
I wasn’t aware of that, I missed most of the first half. Essien is known to be a hard tackler so I’m not surprised.
I know the numbers say that it’s been comparable to ‘02, but it seems that the refs have been card-happy in Germany. Whatever happened to warnings?
LOL! I really like your posts!
But, I am beginning to feel that my brain start waking up the other side in me, krrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
1) it’s so fun to push the buttons of the ‘marmot’ readers. if it weren’t so fun, i might have referred to arjen robben instead of to park for diving. but the dutch contingent who read this site don’t get so sensitive, thus, it’s not as fun.
2) park’s admission in that article that was linked recently to this site that he goes down so easily makes him fair game for ridicule; i’ve lost respect for him since i read his comments. he plays for manyoo, too, so i should have known he was a fuckin’ cheat.
3) what’s the big deal with anyone’s supporting the african teams? they deserve our love for more reasons than just football. what is there to understand or not understand? and why should i or anyone like the african teams less than the korean one? that’s just crazy talk, i tell ya…
RE: (1)
well, at least you admit it. fair enough.
i try to go where others usually dare not
however, in a more serious light, my #2 above was a not a joke. his admission to going over too easily (since you guys are so sensitive to the word “diving”) during matches really lowered my previously-high opinion of him
i know it’s only a half hour in, but japan just took a shock1-0 lead over brasil…!
Right. I’m sure you’d be as incensed if he played his home fixtures at St. James Park.
On another note, this Brazil-Japan match is a cracker. Whoever’s reffing this should also ref the final. No cheap fouls, and very open play.
I think many of my fellow Americans will be SHOCKED — to learn that we were involved in a soccer match somewhere in Europe when the U.S. Open, the Stanley Cup finals and the NBA finals were being contested.
From my office window, it seems people are already over the loss to the Ghanaians.
Real shame, would have been incredible to see a Japan upset of Brazil but the 11th hour is turning into a slaughter fest. Brazil up 4-1
If you think the ref in the US vs Ghana game was bad, you should check Graham Poll the idiot that’s refereeing the Australia vs Croatia match. A little taste (read: blatant theft of the match report in The Guardian (UK)):
“90 min: Another red card! But… Graham Poll, who is a stupid bastard, is not getting the final, we can tell you that for nothing. After fouling Kennedy, Simunic is booked for a second time. He walks… then comes back when he realises Poll isn’t going to show red. Ho ho hoh dear.
FULL TIME: Croatia 2 - 2 Australia Ha ha ha, Graham Poll is a complete clown. After a scramble in the box, Viduka sets about forcing the ball home for Australia… but Poll blows up for full time, Clive Thomas style, with the ball about to cross the line. He disallows the goal - not that it matters - but then he decides to book Simunic for a third time - and sends him off. He then blows up for full time AGAIN… before driving off the pitch in a car with square wheels.
Honk! Honk! The doors have just fallen off Poll’s car, and there are jets of steam coming out of the engine. Let’s hope nobody agrees to smell his funny flower!”
Graham Poll is not an idiot. He maintain the order in a very “physical”(MrChips’ kind of game) game and it is not easy to do so.
His only error was to fall for Pimpong’s theatrics. But, Oneyawu did put his hand across the body. A very stupid motion. Pimpong capitalize it to the max.
The soccer has evolved. There are right ways to hold the opponent and the wrong ways to do it. Oneyawu did it in a wrong way. It looks bad and referees call those moves that look bad.
Players have to learn how to move. When to fall and when to grab. Since Europeans play dirty (due to their professional league plays), everybody learns to play like this. Including Asians, Africans and SouthAmericans.
These dirty plays have become a part of soccer. New rules are needed to change the game.
FIFA ref training video:
http://www.deadspin.com/sports.....157357.php
Ooops, I got mixed up between two different games. However, what I wrote stands.
Graham Poll did a good job officiating very difficult match. He maintained the order.
The referee for US-Ghana game fell for Pimpong’s theatrics. These days, a soccer player has to know how to act. How to make it look good. Oneyawu didn’t look good. (He should have gently pushed from the back instead of putting his hand across. He needs to play more in European league.)
Soccer has become a dirty sports. I like to see it gets cleaned up. More referees and video replay will help. However, I like to see rules changed drastically using NBA-like rules. For example, make it a rule not to lunge at the player with the ball. No tackling of any kind. If a player lunges into a player with possession (like the Ghana player lunged into Reyna and hit his knee with his knee), automatic call on the offensive player.
Soccer needs changing. These days, dirty plays get rewarded.
See when that Ghana player moved and and banged knees, Reyna should have fell. Instead, he stood there taking in his pain like a man.
He cost one goal right there. He should have fallen right away. With a little bit of theatrics to call the referee’s attention. MrChips may call this “flopping” but it is absolutely necessary to call attention to the foul.
Reyna just stood there. He didn’t know how to play modern professional soccer. He should have been told what to do when fouled.
i am DEFINITELY looking forward to watching the “brasil of africa” as ghanaians call themselves, face off against the “brasil” of brasil!!!!! my prediction: 2:1 ghana, with ronaldo scoring to set the record!!! Everyone wins!!!
Encouraging Ghana, but a long way to go to hold that cup as Brazil are waiting. Both teams packed with talent so it should be a great game.
There is a bar area in Shenzhen with about 8 outdoor bars. Of the twenty tv’s only two were set to the US Ghana game, and those two did not have the sound on. Did not make for fun viewing.
From the crowd reaction at the bars, most Chinese seem to share Lux’s sentiments–although more politely. They also seemed to really like Italy over the Czech Republic.
Please, please, please don’t make international football anything like the NBA.
the brazilans of africa is a crock
the US killed those guys in possession,attacking…and passing
and its safe to say the US would not kill brazil
in those 3 categories
the beauty of soccer is the best team doesnt always win because there is a lot of luck involved and luck of the bounce
the US had none this WORLD CUP!!!
as for korea choosing to show italy vs. chech’s
i say this…..you stupid fucks probably didnt think that you have over 40,000 americans living and working in korea both military andnon-military
it proves your incompetence as a society
donnieknutts from Indonesia wrote:
Please, please, please don’t make international football anything like the NBA.
Right, we don’t want to confuse football with a really fast game.
mcnutt im sure all 40,000 are diehard football fans as all americans are. [/sarcasm]
Please God, make Bruce Arena retire!! I nominate Roy Keane as the new US football team coach. That’ll bring a new aspect to the game! (if I could insert a tongue-in-cheek emoticon here I would)