US-Italy: Red Draw; Ghana Stampedes
Group E has suddenly become the most wide-open and competitive group in the World Cup. Ghana marched to a emphatic 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic and three players were sent off in the 1-1 US-Italy draw.
The US team came out with miles more aggresion in their second match, producing some good chances in front of the Italian net. But Alberto Giraldino headed in a goal off a set piece to give Italy a 1-0 lead. Only a few minutes later the score was even when Christian Zaccardo's clearance ended up in the back of his own net. After the goals were scored, the red cards came out. First, Danielle De Rossi threw a nasty elbow which bloodied Brian McBride face and the Italian was sent off with an immediate red card. The one-man advantage was short lived for the US, because in the 45th minute Pablo Mastroeni was awarded a straight red card after catching Pirlo with his spikes.
But the drama was far from over. Only two minutes into the second half, US defender Eddie Pope got his second yellow card on a questionable tackle. The 9-man American side manage to produce a few good chances, most notably DeMarcus Beasley's goal, which was called back for offsides. In the end, the US held on to a draw on the strength of a nice saves by keeper Kasey Keller. The Americans must now hope for a Italian win over Czech Republic coupled with their own win over Ghana.
But Ghana will be a difficult challenge, as they controlled their match with Czech Republic from the very beginning. Only two minutes in, Asamoah Gyan beat keeper Peter Cech to give Ghana the lead. Before the man was over, the Czechs were down to 10-men and Cech was all that saved them from a defeat much worse than 2-0.
In the day's first game, Portugal handled Iran 2-0 to advance to the round of 16.
Tomorrow's games:
Croatia - Japan
Brazil - Australia
France - South Korea
Comments
I do have to say Keller came up big with a few fantastic saves when he fell short against the Czech Republic, lets just hope we can beat Ghana and Italy beats Czech.
Posted by: Chad | June 18, 2006 05:27 PM
italy will beat c zech i mean come on they should of beat us they are just as good as brazil but the only problem is if us cant beat ghana it will be close my guess it will be 2-1 usa then we beat brazil in a huge upset
Posted by: Anonymous | June 18, 2006 07:52 PM
italy will beat c zech i mean come on they should of beat us they are just as good as brazil but the only problem is if us cant beat ghana it will be close my guess it will be 2-1 usa then we beat brazil in a huge upset
Posted by: cody email me at runninoffat01 | June 18, 2006 07:53 PM
i think mexico has a 110 percent of wining
Posted by: christanho | June 18, 2006 08:15 PM
viva MEXICo
Posted by: Anonymous | June 18, 2006 08:17 PM
Italy is a great soccer culture and I love to watch them when they are in form however when they are not they dive, roll around, and play like spoiled brats. I think Italian soccer has lost its soul. They need to bring it back and start playing the beautiful game. The U.S out played them. If we had a full side for 90 the result would have been 3-1 U.S.
Posted by: billski | June 19, 2006 10:16 AM
i didnt like that ref. i think he ruined the game for us. we were clearly the better team in that game. if the ref had done a better job it would have been at least 4-1 USA.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 20, 2006 11:41 PM
Ghana has finally joined the football history not only in African but also in the world.
Posted by: costalo......... | June 22, 2006 12:51 PM
The US had a crappy world cup and crappy reffing, thats all there is to it.
Posted by: zizou389 | June 22, 2006 07:58 PM
After all USA can never and will never beat GHANA in soccer.
Posted by: NANA | August 24, 2006 02:37 PM
Stands back from the kebyarod in amazement! Thanks!
Posted by: Jennylee | January 6, 2012 04:37 PM