Sixteen years ago when the USA took on the Czech’s at Italia 90 they were hammered 5-1 in Florence, since then the Americans qualified for two more World Cups and the Czech’s none.

When the two teams came head to head in Gelsenkirchen on Monday many thought history would be rewritten but they was to be no such talk. It came as no surprise when the Czech’s took an early lead with some wonderful work by their midfielders which gave the tall Jan Koller the opportunity to head home as memories of Florence came rushing back.

America did try and come back into the game Manchester City’s Claudio Reina had a shot ricochet off the post and they came with in inches of levelling the scores.

The Czech’s then showed their supremacy as Tomas Rosicky scored a peach of a goal, which turned and swerved away from the American goalkeeper to rest in the top of the USA goal.

All in all the Czech’s were good for their victory and their star players really shone, the likes of AC Milan’s Janukolovski and Pavel Nedved with Arsenal bound Tomas Rosicky showing his true class, Arsene Wenger must be a very happy man at the moment.

The Czech’s showed that even with Koller injured and Baros out they still have plenty of firepower and they have a very strong midfield that can create and score goals.

America probably did not expect the Czech’s to come out firing the way they did and Bruce Arena will have to pick up the pieces before Saturday’s clash with Italy.

America have their work cut out and it is only going to get harder, some of their big names the likes of Landon Donovan and Demarcus Beasley need to step up a gear if Uncle Sam wishes to see the next round.

FIFA World Cup Germany Match Number 11

Ghana: 0

Italy: 2

21. PIRLO Andrea (40')


15. IAQUINTA Vincenzo (83')

It has been a while since Italy made an impression early on in a major tournament. On Monday Evening in Hanover - they did not disappoint as they set out seeing off the challenge of one of Africa’s strongest teams.

The Italians started off well and placed the Ghanaians under an early onslaught with Alberto Gilardino going close early on and than Luca Toni had a thunderous shot ricocheting off the cross bar.

Andrea Pirlo is known as a dead ball specialist and although he scored from open play the amount of space given to him by Ghana was really unacceptable and they should have closed him down.

Nevertheless he scored a well-taken goal and nobody can really say Italy did not deserve their lead or winning the game in the end.

Ghana’s major problem at the moment remains up front and although Michael Essien is doing all the hard work there really is no one to finish off up front, the front two of Gyan Asamoah and Matthew Amoah were really not impressive at all.

Italy were really gifted a second goal and for a player like Sammy Kuffor who plays for AS Roma and has previously won a European Champions League medal with Bayern Munich, these kinds of mistakes should not happen.

I feel that for Kuffor to have made such a mistake is not acceptable and it really put a bad mark on what was really good performance at the back by him. Italy now turn their attention to the Czech’s and I am sure it will be a cracker of a game, when the two teams meet on Saturday.

Ghana will have to take three points off the USA if they harbour any hope of continuing on in the tournament.

Group F

FIFA World Cup Germany Match Number 9

Japan: 1

10. NAKAMURA Shunsuke (26')

Australia: 3

4. CAHILL Tim (84')


4. CAHILL Tim (89')


15. ALOISI John (92+')

Australia really used their physical advantage as well as the hot conditions to their advantage and as the game wore on it became evident that the Australians, will be more suitable to the conditions.

Japan had a good start by taking a lead mid way through the firs half and really played well, Hidoteshi Nakata was instrumental in giving the Australians a number of worrying moments.

At the end of this game one can only stand and admire the fighting spirit that the Australians possess and it is a part of their game no matter what sport they are playing and their never say die attitude commendable.

Tim Cahill took his chances well and really made the Japanese defence pay for some untidy work after they had played really well for most of the game.

Australia look likely to follow Brazil out of the group into the second round and one Monday’s performance depending on who they meet in the next round a ¼ final finish looks likely.

FIFA World Cup Germany Match Number 14

Brazil Vs Croatia

The defending champions begin their quest for a sixth World title on Tuesday and have been the talk of town since teams began their world cup preparation about three weeks ago.

Brazil’s training sessions have been watched by thousands of fans and hundreds of journalists and television crews.

Like at every other FIFA World Cup there is a weight of expectation on the Catalina’s and in the recent past they have not disappointed making it to the three of the last three FIFA World Cup Finals and winning two of them.

With a squad packed with star quality in every department, with three of four players of high quality for each position write the Brazilians off at your own peril.

With a striking combination of Ronaldo and Adriano with World Footballer of the year Ronaldinho playing behind them, every coach in the world would want to be in Carlos Alberto Pereira’s shoes.

Ronaldo is at his third World Cup, Ronaldinho at his second and there really can be no doubting that this Brazilian team is World Class, apart from the players already mentioned.

The team still has the midfield prowess of Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Robinho and Captain Cafu to call upon; I feel that Croatia will be no match for the highly experienced and talented Brazilian team.

Croatia did at a time have some quality players like Davor Suker, even though they have a few more good players such as Igor Tudor, Nico Kovak and Dado Prso I do feel this game will be stamped with yellow at the end of the evening.

Group G

FIFA World Cup Germany Match Number 13

France Vs Switzerland

The 1998 FIFA World Cup Champions will be hoping for a better start against the Swiss than they did when they began the defence of their trophy four years ago in Seoul. France and Switzerland are neighbours and share along history of football rivalry both at club level and at international level.

The two teams were in the same qualifying group coming into the World Cup and know each other quiet well; the key to this match for both teams lies in the ability of their midfielders to open up two watertight defences.

Both Switzerland and France have strong backlines and for the Swiss, Philipe Senderos knowledge of his club teammate will be key for Swiss Chances.

Senderos will be very knowledgeable of the dangers posed by his club team as the French will be looking towards Henry finding the back of the net in their march to the finals.

Zinedine Zidane will be retiring after this tournament and I am sure hew will want to leave the international stage with a bang and he gets his chance with the opening game against Switzerland. This one to me looks like it will go Frances way but it definitely won’t be a cruise in the Alps for them.