Seriously, on this evening’s performance by the Czechs I think we can take them. They looked good against the US but Ghana could have embarrassed them
we can definitely take the Czechs, especially when you consider the fact that 5 or 6 of their players are sonsidering retirement. I think defeat by Italy would force several retirements which is only a good thing in my mind. Nedved and Koller and crew have shown they're still dangerous so hopefully they'll pack off to the old folks home leaving the might O' Shea to mark Rosicky
De Rossi was an absolute disgrace. Should get banned for a few games. He had the cheek to argue with the red card also.
Ref was awful, especially on the Pope yellows. Should never have been sent off. The first yellow was a total dive by Gilardino. Plus the Italians were disgraceful with all their diving e.g. the free kick on their goal was the result of a dive, also Italy should have had a penalty late on when Conrad was tugging an Italian shirt in the area, plus a number of Italian offside calls were incorrect. The US got a lucky goal but they stuck it out with the 9 men in the second half.
Can't believe Arena didnt bring on Eddie Johnson in the last 20 minutes for McBride who was totally knackered by then because the Italian defense were also tired. Johnson would have stretched them with his pace.
As for Thursday, I think Italy will take the Czechs who wont have Koller, Lokvenc (suspended), Ujfalusi(also suspended), and probably Baros. The Ghana-USA match, who knows, Ghana should be favourites but I think their defense is suspect.
Last edited by Metrostars; 18/06/2006 at 4:00 AM.
"Jacques Santini...will be greeted in every dugout of the country by "one-nil, one-nil" - Clive Tyldsley, 89th minute of France-England June 13, 2004.
"Ooooohhhh Nooooooo" Bobby Robson 91st minute.
Pope was on a yellow, and continued to hold, push and pull!!!. I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did. As for Maestoenis(?sp) tackle, the Italian is lucky he didn't end up with a broken ankle.Originally Posted by Metrostars
Beasley had little impact when he came on. Johnson would probably have had little more. With 9 men the team were getting stretched and pulled all over the place.
Czechs/Italy - I can see a draw. Italy might have to beware of the backlash.
Ghana/US - another draw. You think the Ghanian defence is suspect? I think they will be thinking the same about the States.
The interesting point is though, and as you mentioned about the offside calls against Italy, maybe the US should be glad that the officiating was crap!!
I wasn't fully concentrating on this one & can't recall the first Pope yellow, but although a final warning may have been an option, I don't think the ref did much wrong showing a red. Pope should have just stayed on his feet & jockeyed rather than committing to a tackle he was never likely to make successfully. The italian red was very well spotted and many refs may have missed it. The first USA red was warranted too - an atrocious effort at a tackle that may easily have resulted in a broken ankle though I'm sure it was careless rather than malicious.
And the USA goal (''equaliser'' that Peter Drury somehow called it deespite the score already being 1-1!) was also correctly ruled out I think. OK, so the new offside rules are fuzzy enough but McBride was right in front of Buffon.
So of the 4 key decisions, I think the ref got them all right. Certainly 3.5 anyway, cos I think Pope could have had a stern warning.
I think the USA were naive in the extreme in conceding the man advantage they had.
Italy didn't impress me bar Pirlo and one or two others. No threat upfront whatsoever. OK, so the USA goal was a freak OG rather than a chance created but I don't think Italy are ruthless enough in front of goal to go far in WC06.
Ghana were superb & could have beaten Czechs 5 or 6 nil if had a decent forward. Will be interesting to see if they have the ability & fitness to play all games at that tempo.
Very disappointed with Italy last night, started poorly & didn't get much better. USA were very physical & eventhough 1st red was unjust they were lucky not to have other ones. I don't think the Italians knew how to play the game.
Would like to see Inzaghi play alongside Toni as he would stretch the defense a lot more & create space.
My guess is that Italy and US will win today to qualify for the last 16.
"Jacques Santini...will be greeted in every dugout of the country by "one-nil, one-nil" - Clive Tyldsley, 89th minute of France-England June 13, 2004.
"Ooooohhhh Nooooooo" Bobby Robson 91st minute.
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