Group E - Reflections
9:07 AM
Someone once said that Czech shouldn't be put on a pedestal just because they beat USA hands down 3 - 0. I tend to disagree.So why has Czech performed so disappointingly?
They were given a ranking of 2 by FIFA. Czech is no pushover.
USA is no pushover either.
When Italy only managed to draw USA, they managed to stay on their pedestal.
You must understand that football teams have their peaks, their off days and so on. Skills dip, players change.
Ghana has European based players, and as expected, they have played very well, only running out of luck in their first game. Just because they conceded two goals doesn't mean a thing, because it's clear, at least to me, that Ghana played level with Italy. They were, at the very least, on equal footing.
Italy, on the other hand - I don't know what happened to them in the USA game, but from the matches I've watched so far, they deserve their reputation.
Czech - I was impressed by them, and I still believe that they are a strong team. So what happened today?
Well there WAS that send off of polak. Polak is a key player in Czech - he's a huge loss. I believe Polak made a mistake and he knew it too. Koller wasn't around either. Borovsky was also substituted, as was Baros. Many key players off, we've got effectively a team that plays decently but cannot outclass Italy.
Ghana - struggling. Could be complacency, off game. But a team that has displayed such beautiful football against USA - it was the most impressive teamplay I've seen to boot. USA may not be of Italy class, but they are not terrible either. If you watch their games, they put up a decent fight.
I have a tendency to believe that Czech, unfortunately, reached the peak of their form a bit too early and are unable to sustain it. It's a huge pity, but it does happen. The strongest teams are those who are in peak all the time, but football teams are dynamic. Even if you leave them be.
But looking at their condition, I give my blessings for Ghana and Italy to advance. I must admit that Ghana packs a damn good fight. They get better all the time, and I love their goal-hungry attitude. Hats off to them. We'll have to see how they fare against Brazil. I'm torn because I'd like to see more of Brazil, but Ghana puts in such hard work that it would be sad if they lost as well.
I'll never write a team who has performed well off. Teams that show good performance show that they have the potential to be that good. Of course, they're bested by teams who show good performance more often, which is perfectly logical, but I think it's worthy of noting - their potential, that is.
Group of Death - F.
As I've said, I'm willing to butch my hair if Japan wins Brazil, because they need something to save their faces. Brazil is already in. Japan is already out. Because Brazil's won 2.
The fight is, therefore, for second place.
Australia however, having beaten Japan, will get second place - depending on goal difference. If Croatia can beat them by more than 2 goals, they'll be in, Aussie'll be out.
Even if Japan beats Brazil - say Croatia beat Aussie - then both Croatia and Japan will have lost one, won one, drawn one. Then goal difference will matter. Japan will have to kick Brazil's ass something stupid, for them to make it in because their GA is way more than Croatia.
If Aussie beats Croatia - no hope.
It's a tricky goddamn game, and in the first place, it's difficult enough to whip Brazil. But by some lucky stroke - God willing - if Japan wins, I will butch my hair.
But Iwill say this of Australia. They are a decent team who put up a decent fight. I may hate Australia a lot - but I must admit that I hate Viduka. That is the main reason I hate Australia to the core. He pissed me off once, I can't remember when. Him aside, I would be happy to let Australia make it to final 16.
But he IS there. So I am banking on Croatia not to foul up like they did Japan. Rather Croatia than Australia, even if not Japan.
Ya know, I'll even give this much. If Japan plays well, worthy of Japan, I'll still butch my hair. If they screw up like they did Croatia, I'll just cry.
Another thought - Cech's a notch above Kawaguchi, if ya ask me to compare. Kawaguchi's as good as the average WC-level keeper- international class. Cech's shown pretty good instinct, better judgement and less stress under pressure. today was one terrible mistake - but it was a defender's mistake too and I don't blame him go going forward because the chances of a 2 on 1 close up is also as slim, so it would be better for him to go forward. Besides it was a defending mistake that it happened. Not Cech's fault. keepers have to make the most pressing of decisions sometimes. i'm still all for Cech for GK of the WC. but of course, we've got to see the rest - the brazilian one is not half bad but he hasn't been tested enough.