Friday, June 02, 2006
World Cup Preview: Group E
Teams: Italy, Czech Republic, USA, Ghana
History: Italy is the most succesful historically out of this group. They have won three World Cups in total. The first two were back-to-back in 1934 and 38, and the most recent came at Spain '82. They have advanced deep into the tournament numerous times, and lost to Brazil in the final in 1994. At the most recent tournament they were upset in the round of 16 by the co-host South Koreans. The Czech's are in their first tournament since 1990, when they were Czechoslovakia. They were beaten finalists in both 1934 (against fellow group member Italy) and in 1962. Since that finals appearance there has been little success to speak of aside from a quarter-final appearance in 1990. The United States' claim to fame was a shocking upset win over England in 1950. After that they endured a long stretch in which they didn't qualify, but have appeared in the last four World Cups. They reched the second round at home in 1994, and had their best showing ever in 2002, a quarter-final loss the Germany. Ghana is playing in their first World Cup after beating out favoured South Africa in qualifying.
Italy: Recent results have been very disappointing for this storied nation. After a controversial loss to South Korea in '02, and group stage elimination at Euro 2004, the pressure is tremendous to put on a good showing. For Italy, a good showing means semi-final or better, lest their plane be pelted with tomatos upon its arrival home. Italy will need a big performance out of Francesco Totti who has disgraced himself at the last two tournaments with his on field behavior. It was feared his World Cup was over when he injured his ankle in domestic league play, but he has recovered in time. The Italians have a wealth of skill at all positions which makes them a contender. Center forward Alberto Gilardino can score goals, while midfield is of no concern with Andrea Pirlo and Totti (who usually plays in between midfield and forward). Captain Alessandro Nesta leads a veteran defense, and goaltender Gianluigi Buffon is one on the world's best. But recently, scandal has broke out in Serie A, the top Italian league, and Buffon has been alleged to have gambled illegally. The team will have to deal with this distraction as they try to win a fourth world title.
Czech Republic: This is a tremendously skilled, but aging, Czech squad. They should still be a force in Germany, but may have missed their big shot a glory in Euro 2004. The strength of the team lies up front and in the midfield. 34 year olds Pavel Nedved and Karol Poborsky are back for one last shot, as is giant forward Jan Koller. The Czech's do have some younger talent in the form of Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky. The main objective will be to out-gun the opponent with their suberb offense, because the Czech defense is clearly the team's weakness. They are thin after Italian leaguers Tomas Ujfalusi and Marek Jankulovski so somebody will need to step up. Petr Cech is a superb keeper, and will have to be at his best is Nedved and Co. are to advance from a tough group. This will be the first and last World Cup for all of those veterans, so they'd best make it a good one.
USA: The States are out to prove that 2002 was not a fluke, but will be tested early with matchups against Italy and Czech Republic. It will be crucial to take points from one or both of those teams to give themselves a hope of advancing going into the finale versus Ghana. This team has plenty of experience, so they shouldn't be fazed by the pomp of bright lights of the World Cup. Goaltender Kasey Keller was first on the team way back in 1990, and will look for his best performance yet in his fourth World Cup. Key members of the team four years ago, Bryan McBride, Landon Donovan, and DaMarcus Beasley are again the go-to guys. Youngsters Eddie Johnson (forward) and Oguchi Onyewu (defense) will look for a breakout tournaments as well. American sports teams in general perform well as underdogs, so that bodes well in their attempt to prove to the world that they really are a soccer power.
Ghana: These Africans have always been one of the best teams on their own continent, and have now finally made it to the World Cup. Many of the players are realtive unknowns, but several ply their trade in Germany so they should already be used to the un-African climate of northern Europe. Ghana rellies on total team defense to win games, as their weakness at the forward position would suggest. AS Roma's Samuel Kuffour is their most solid defender, while Sammy Adjei provides decent netminding. Ghana's most recognizable player is Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien who plays a superb all-around game. If the Ghanians play error-free defense they will give themselves hope against powerful opponents, but coming out of this group will be a mighty task.
Match to Watch: Czech Republic v Italy, June 22. Two highly skilled opponents clash in the Group E finale. There is certainly a chance that USA or Ghana will have taken points from at least one of these teams, so this could be a do-or-die game for a couple of highly touted squads.
Prediction: 1) Italy, 2) Czech Republic, 3) Ghana, 4) USA. Italy are notouriously slow starters, so it favours them to play Ghana and USA before the Czechs. Those Czechs have the offensive weapons to crack Ghana's tough defense and overcome the Americans. USA and Ghana are two worthy teams, but are not quite up to the task against the top ranked opponents they will face.
History: Italy is the most succesful historically out of this group. They have won three World Cups in total. The first two were back-to-back in 1934 and 38, and the most recent came at Spain '82. They have advanced deep into the tournament numerous times, and lost to Brazil in the final in 1994. At the most recent tournament they were upset in the round of 16 by the co-host South Koreans. The Czech's are in their first tournament since 1990, when they were Czechoslovakia. They were beaten finalists in both 1934 (against fellow group member Italy) and in 1962. Since that finals appearance there has been little success to speak of aside from a quarter-final appearance in 1990. The United States' claim to fame was a shocking upset win over England in 1950. After that they endured a long stretch in which they didn't qualify, but have appeared in the last four World Cups. They reched the second round at home in 1994, and had their best showing ever in 2002, a quarter-final loss the Germany. Ghana is playing in their first World Cup after beating out favoured South Africa in qualifying.
Italy: Recent results have been very disappointing for this storied nation. After a controversial loss to South Korea in '02, and group stage elimination at Euro 2004, the pressure is tremendous to put on a good showing. For Italy, a good showing means semi-final or better, lest their plane be pelted with tomatos upon its arrival home. Italy will need a big performance out of Francesco Totti who has disgraced himself at the last two tournaments with his on field behavior. It was feared his World Cup was over when he injured his ankle in domestic league play, but he has recovered in time. The Italians have a wealth of skill at all positions which makes them a contender. Center forward Alberto Gilardino can score goals, while midfield is of no concern with Andrea Pirlo and Totti (who usually plays in between midfield and forward). Captain Alessandro Nesta leads a veteran defense, and goaltender Gianluigi Buffon is one on the world's best. But recently, scandal has broke out in Serie A, the top Italian league, and Buffon has been alleged to have gambled illegally. The team will have to deal with this distraction as they try to win a fourth world title.
Czech Republic: This is a tremendously skilled, but aging, Czech squad. They should still be a force in Germany, but may have missed their big shot a glory in Euro 2004. The strength of the team lies up front and in the midfield. 34 year olds Pavel Nedved and Karol Poborsky are back for one last shot, as is giant forward Jan Koller. The Czech's do have some younger talent in the form of Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky. The main objective will be to out-gun the opponent with their suberb offense, because the Czech defense is clearly the team's weakness. They are thin after Italian leaguers Tomas Ujfalusi and Marek Jankulovski so somebody will need to step up. Petr Cech is a superb keeper, and will have to be at his best is Nedved and Co. are to advance from a tough group. This will be the first and last World Cup for all of those veterans, so they'd best make it a good one.
USA: The States are out to prove that 2002 was not a fluke, but will be tested early with matchups against Italy and Czech Republic. It will be crucial to take points from one or both of those teams to give themselves a hope of advancing going into the finale versus Ghana. This team has plenty of experience, so they shouldn't be fazed by the pomp of bright lights of the World Cup. Goaltender Kasey Keller was first on the team way back in 1990, and will look for his best performance yet in his fourth World Cup. Key members of the team four years ago, Bryan McBride, Landon Donovan, and DaMarcus Beasley are again the go-to guys. Youngsters Eddie Johnson (forward) and Oguchi Onyewu (defense) will look for a breakout tournaments as well. American sports teams in general perform well as underdogs, so that bodes well in their attempt to prove to the world that they really are a soccer power.
Ghana: These Africans have always been one of the best teams on their own continent, and have now finally made it to the World Cup. Many of the players are realtive unknowns, but several ply their trade in Germany so they should already be used to the un-African climate of northern Europe. Ghana rellies on total team defense to win games, as their weakness at the forward position would suggest. AS Roma's Samuel Kuffour is their most solid defender, while Sammy Adjei provides decent netminding. Ghana's most recognizable player is Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien who plays a superb all-around game. If the Ghanians play error-free defense they will give themselves hope against powerful opponents, but coming out of this group will be a mighty task.
Match to Watch: Czech Republic v Italy, June 22. Two highly skilled opponents clash in the Group E finale. There is certainly a chance that USA or Ghana will have taken points from at least one of these teams, so this could be a do-or-die game for a couple of highly touted squads.
Prediction: 1) Italy, 2) Czech Republic, 3) Ghana, 4) USA. Italy are notouriously slow starters, so it favours them to play Ghana and USA before the Czechs. Those Czechs have the offensive weapons to crack Ghana's tough defense and overcome the Americans. USA and Ghana are two worthy teams, but are not quite up to the task against the top ranked opponents they will face.
