Posted on 06/21/2006 10:33:27 PM PDT by soccer_maniac
The U.S. national team goes into Thursday's Group E finale against Ghana (9:55 a.m. ET, ESPN) knowing that it must come up with a win to have any chance of moving to the Round of 16.
All four teams in Group E, including the USA, still have a chance to advance. The U.S. must beat a tough Ghana side to have any chance of moving to the knockout phase. Should Bruce Arena's team be able to secure three points against the Africans, whom they meet at 9:55 a.m. ET on ESPN, they will need Italy to beat the Czech Republic in a simultaneous match, which can be seen live on ESPN2. The U.S. is not mathematically eliminated with a Czech draw or win, but will need a big victory over Ghana to avoid being eliminated on goal difference.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlsnet.com ...
TEAM LINE-UPS
Croatia: Pletikosa, Simic, Tudor, Tomas, Simunic, Srna, Nico Kovac, Babic, Kranjcar, Prso, Olic.
Subs: Balaban, Bosnjak, Butina, Didulica, Klasnic, Ivan Leko, Jerko Leko, Modric, Seric, Tokic, Vranjes.
Australia: Kalac, Neill, Moore, Chipperfield, Emerton, Grella, Culina, Cahill, Sterjovski, Kewell, Viduka.
Subs: Aloisi, Beauchamp, Bresciano, Covic, Kennedy, Lazaridis, Milligan, Popovic, Schwarzer, Skoko, Thompson, Wilkshire.
Referee: Graham Poll (England)
BIG MATCH STATS
Progress Possibilities
Australia will qualify for the next round with a win, even a draw could see the Aussies through although only if Brazil do not lose against Japan.
Croatia must win to proceed to the next round, and even then they are not certain.
I have no explanation why you always refer to World Wars, especially since the British record in both looks pretty sadly, considering where you´d stand without the Ruskies and Americans. But that´s not the topic.
The US team was in a tough group, they should have played the Czechs the way they played against Italy.
England can make it indeed into the semi final. It´ll be a nice game to watch Holland against Portugal and then the winner in the quarter final against England. Tough task for the winner of that quarter final against Brasil in the semi-final. But Brasil isn´t the same perfect team it was 2002.
If Germany really wins against Argentina (which I see somewhat critical), it can become world Champion. Italy isn´t as good as Argentina or Germany, from my viewpoint.
Interesting weeks ahead! Let´s enjoy the games in peace and happiness (and not with war prop).
That helps explain my puzzlement at why we have had all these years of youth league, high school and college teams; yet are clearly second rate when it comes time for the big show.
What about the fact that there are so many more diversions (sports andd non sports) in USA than anywhere in the world?
Screw the samba dancing ballerinas.
I am watching the Aussies :-)
Advance Australia Fair!!
"Peace in our time" :-P
Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!!
I did and I'm sticking with it. This is the most talent we've ever had as a country.
That doesn't mean we will excel against the top teams in the world.
As I mentioned the irony is we have the best team we've fielded and still may not get out of the group.
At this level, the margin for error is very, very small.
As you saw today, not like a turnover in basketball. One is enough to be fatal.
If Australia earns a tie or a win, the Socceroos will advance to the next round
A Clint Dempsey jersey is a fine investment. :)
Wynalda is speaking his mind and I believe that he is sincere in his expression.
Not sure if he is right, but he has his view and is entitled to it.
It's too soon to dissect this just yet. He is steamed that's for sure. He felt the team wasn't given the right assignments, that's his perspective.
Oh, no.
Nightmare start.
But, fantastic goal though.
Aust 0-1 Croat
wow!
I don't rate Holland much and they could even lose to Portugal.
Brazil are good but, as you say, not the side they were in 2002. England very nearly beat them that year in the quarter final, until the ageing David Seaman completely misjudged Ronaldinho's freekick.
Meanwhile, speaking of bad goalkeeping, Croats have gone 1-0 up against the Cro-stralians.
Don't want to see Germany in the final. Don't know how you project England through to the semis. They will have their hands full with Ecuador.
Ball skills always look impressive in camp, but they tend to break down quickly when some big Czech or German guy starts giving you the business for 90 minutes.
Ecuador don't have the ammunition to beat England. Doubt they will put up much of a fight. England are a better version of Germany and even the sausage eaters beat them 3-0.
That should have been a penalty.
>>"Peace in our time"
Ouch.
Exactly, I think we need punishers on the team, that gives us a better chance. We will never be as technically sound as the Brazilians or the elite European teams, but we can make up for it with more brawn.
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