Posted on 06/13/2006 6:05:50 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
World Cup favorite Brazil will kick off its World Cup campaign on Tuesday as the opening round of the tournament continues in Germany. The defending champions will face Croatia at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2) in Berlin in the second Group F match, following Australia's come-from-behind victory over Japan Monday.
The match will feature the highly-anticipated debut of FC Barcelona great Ronaldinho as he looks to lead the South Americans to a record sixth championship. But the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year is hardly the only weapon in coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's arsenal. Also at his disposal are Ronaldo, Kaka, Robinho and Roberto Carlos -- just to name a few -- who could leave the Croatian defense in for a busy day.
In the day's first match, first-time qualifiers Togo will be looking to upset 2002 semifinalists South Korea (9 a.m. ET, ESPN2). Though the Asian side does not have home field advantage as they did four years ago, the side is very experienced and boasts much talent, including 10 players returning for their second consecutive finals. The Koreans will be looking to Ahn Jung-Hwan for offense.
Togo enters the match as one of the surprise teams in the field, having secured qualification for the first time in the tiny nation's history. With many players coming from the French, Swiss and English leagues, they are a side capable of raising a few eyebrows.
Also making their 2006 World Cup debuts on Tuesday will be France and Switzerland, the neighboring nations squaring off at 12 noon ET on ESPN2. 'Les Blues' are chock full of world-class talent, including Arsenal's Thierry Henry and former FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane, who led the French to their only World Cup title on home soil eight years ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlsnet.com ...
I don't understand the "first touch" criticism. You have to play first touch ball in the MLS and CONCAF qualifying, unlike some critics are claiming. However, the US passing and ball control was terrible yesterday.
Guess it's nerves. Jet lag and assorted other factors.
I wonder if they had played Ghana first, how much different things would have worked out for them. It might have made a difference to get that first game out of their system before playing the heavyweights.
Face it, everything about this draw was stacked against the US. As opposed to the French who by far got the weakest group, and may even still not get out it.
USA ranked #5......hard to believe. But I won't be surprised if they get sent home early. Don't see how they can beat or even tie Italy.
In reality they are probably around 20th. And Mexico is way overrated too.
yes; I see now that I was a tad precipitate. Croats holding up well.
They got sort of a slow start in '02, also. They have this tendency to play just well enough to win. Unfortunately (for the rest of us) they do that pretty consistently.
Second Half is on!
I was quite impressed by Italy. Rock solid performance.
And, it seemed like they had en extra gear available that they could engage, if it was needed.
But, every game of football starts at 0-0, so anything is possible.
Heck, Norway needed to beat Brazil in the last group game in 98 to make out of the group. 2-1 Norway :-)
Cheers.
that was close!
The moment built by a vicory against Ghana could have proved decisive.
But, that is a bit too much if's and but's.
Go and kick some Italian butt.
That is all that matter now :-)
It's ok....I'm a bloody pulp. Pain receptors have gone out for the evening. Take a whack ... but buy me a pint afterwards. Imagine, an Irish guy taking this sort of beating from a bunch of American soccer fans....
Not sure what games they've got tho.
Ronaldo had an almost non-existent first half. Let's see him come alive.
Croatia almost again!
Promising start by Croatia.
Then again, one second of brilliance from Ronaldinho and co, and we're looking at two-nill.
Sports can be cruel sometimes :-)
I'm actually a Brit (well, a Kenyan of British origin), so used to giving you guys a beating ;-)
That said, you're gettiing and going to get you own back on the rugby pitch.
In Belfast England beat Ireland by 38 runs. Not exactly an impressive performance by England, who had several of their palyers from the Sri Lanka Test series play. Ireland managed to last the entire 50 overs and managed 263 runs, even with Harmison taking three wickets.
As an impartial Yank I give the moral victory on that one to the boys in green.
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