Posted on 06/14/2006 5:46:34 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
The first cycle of group play in the FIFA World Cup comes to a close on Wednesday with all four Group H teams in action, Spain taking on Ukraine at 8:55 a.m. ET (ESPN2) and Saudi Arabia facing Tunisia three hours later (also on ESPN2). Then Cup hosts Germany start the second series of matches in the groups when they face neighbors Poland in Dortmund.
Spain finally get a chance to get the ball rolling in Leipzig, facing a Ukraine team looking for a result in its first-ever World Cup match. But just because the Eastern Europeans are new on the world stage doesn't mean they don't have the talent to make an impact. In fact, they were the first team apart from the hosts to secure passage to the World Cup, topping a difficult Group 2 that also included Denmark, European champions Greece and a Turkey team that finished third in the World Cup four years ago.
Ukraine also boasts one of the most deadly strikers in the world in Andrei Shevchenko, a new arrival to London's Chelsea FC after a stunning career at AC Milan. However, "Sheva," as he is known, has been battling a knee injury and it remains to be seen if he will be in the starting 11.
Shevchenko isn't the only lethal striker that will be on the field; Spain has several of their own, as well, including Real Madrid legend Raul. Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes is also a danger and could start, especially since Spain coach Luis Aragones often lines his side up in a 4-3-3 formation. Spain is looking to break their World Cup curse in Germany, having never advanced to the final in the competition.
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Countdown to T&T: 26 hours.
I agree - I don't think the head coach is the problem. But I mean that whether it's Arena or anyone else. I think it's something more fundamental. When you look at the skills of the Brasilians or the Italians, they're in a completely different league. It's a combination of skill and creativity that our best athletes aren't learning in US youth soccer. By the time a player gets to the national level, it's far too late. Another head coach with more experience or skill can make a difference, but it's not nearly the whole of the problem.
I don't doubt that. I'm still reacting to the amazing blindness of the ref in the Ghana/Italy match where he missed two blatant penalties by Italy within about 5 minutes of each other that preserved their (at the time) tenuous 1-0 lead.
As a Tottenham supporter from 1968 naturally Klinsmann would be quite a coup for Team USA. Whether he would be better than Arena at coaching the talent level we have is by no means clear.
If Klinsi did lead Germany to the finals then why would he want to bother taking the USA job when realistically making the QF is about as much as one can reasonably expect?
I missed that match. I'm really only able to see the early match (6am Pacific) before I head off to work. In some ways Korea/Japan was easier to enjoy as I could just nap here and there.
The reason is that Klinsmann lives now in California, and has an American wife, and I believe wants to eventually become a US Citizen.
I think what a guy like Klinsmann has over Arena, is an understanding of precisely how the game is played in Europe and what it takes to win there. This isn't the NCAA or the MLS.
And also much less pressure coaching the US, than Germany, where if you not only don't win, but win decisively, you are open to constant criticism from the German press.
You know it.
I think leaving Rooney out is the safe/best option although I am SICK of Man U sticking their oar in. Asset, salary, contract, etc. - we know the drill but Fergie won't leave it.
Assuming two non-Rooney strikers play I think Sven has the luxury of changing some personnel in the other 9. There has to be an opportunity for Carrick or Carragher to get a run-out and hopefully not due to injury. Never want to see Hargreaves on the pitch again - he didn't deserve to be booed but on the other hand he doesn't deserve an England cap this WC. Let's assume further a 2-0 or 3-0 victory which will achieve a number of things: almost guaranteed advancement out of the group stage, lessening of the pressure on Sven/Rooney, and some confidence/goals for Owen, Crouch and whomever else (hopefully Gerrard, Lamps or Cole).
I watch Univision because the games are on earlier.
All I know is the Chelsea better worry next season if Rosicky plays for Arsenal like he did against the US.
Well at least I know somebody did. Been trying all week to get in as I'm cubicle bound
I was sad to see Gudjohnsen leave the Prem even if he did play for Chelsea. I was hoping Newcastle could attract him but I'm guessing he wants Champs League footy. They tried to hide it but he was unhappy being moved back into the hole by Mourinho. Of course, he may get the Mickey Owen treatment and sit on the bench behind the other Barca strikers.
Huh? ESPN2 and Univision are showing the matches live, no 10 second delay this WC. Well at least they are showing them live in my area.
Yup. Save him for the round of 16. They can win their group without Rooney, but can't win the Cup without him.
4-0 Spain. And you have to say...Spain look a proper unit this time, although it's still very early doors...
Still don't think the Ukraine deserve this trouncing...
4-0 now... removing some of the USA sting...
Aargh. Torres in the 82nd minute.
I didn't phrase that very well. I can only watch the games at night, and Univision puts it on at 6 PM; ESPN at 10.
I have to start taping the games I want to watch 8-)
TiVo is your friend... ;)
The beat-down is over. Spain makes a good impression in their first outing.
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