Fightback

Sunset, originally uploaded by Sarfraaz.


After a fighting match against Italy, Ghana fought back defiantly and won the match against the mighty Czechs 2 - 0. It was a very impressive performance by Ghana, true to their reputation of being the best African team this year. Their defense was just too good for the Czechs to find a break, and Ghana did attack well. This was undoubtedly the first upset of this tourney, and probably we had found the dark horse of this year. We need to see if Ghana can do a Senegal this year around.

With Ghana winning their match, and USA holding back Italy to a 1-1 draw, Group E is all open, with Ghana and Czech at 3 points each, and Italy a mere 1 point ahead of them and leading the group. The next round of matches, especially the one between Ghana and USA would be a stunner as both the teams would be badly in need of a win to stake claims for the knockout stage.

My hopes of seeing the Croates in the semis got a hard blow, when the Japanese held them to a goalless draw. I was surprised that neither of the teams could score a goal, even after they had so many chances to score. Japan very badly needed a win from this match, as they have only 1 point and have to face Brazil in their next match. Even after losing to Brazil, Australia would be thankful to Japan, for drawing their match with Craotia, since Australia already have 3 points and have to beat or atleast draw with the Croates to get a berth into the knockout stage, assuming that Brazil play well and win against Japan.

Brazil did seem to be gaining back their confidence and playing well now. Though, the first half of the match was not upto the mark, for either of the teams, only after the superb goal from Adriano, thanks to a very clever pass by the heavy weight Ronaldo, did the match pick up its pace. Brazil should consider themselves lucky that they did not concede a single goal, even after there were more than 3 lapses in their defense, and the Aussies couldnt materialise on these loopholes. Infact, Brazil havent conceded a single goal in their past 9 wolrd cup matches till now !!! But ofcourse, this team has the potential to do a lot more and i hope they peak up at the right time. Brazil are the group leaders and expect to meet either Ghana or the Czechs in the quarter finals.

France continued their pathetic performance, apart from a spark of brilliance from Henry when they scored the only goal in their past 5 world cup matches !!! South Korea fought back well to score another goal and draw the match, to lead Group G with 4 points. After drawing their first match with the least confident French, Switzerland won a good match against Togo, to lead the Group G with 4 points. The Swiss will have a tough fight with the Koreans in the next match to become the leaders of this group. Togo are virtually out of the tournament and will have to face France in their last group encounter. France would definately be hoping to get a win from this match to get a last minute entry into the knockout stage, though I personally dont think they deserve to be there.

Ukraine had lost their first match, 4 - 0 to Spain, and they fought back galantly to win 4 - 0 this time against Saudi Arabia This was definately one of the most brilliant come backs of a team. Shevchenko, supposedly the most promising youngster of this World Cup, scored a goal and created an opportunity for another. Ukraine have to beat Tunisia in the next match to make a place for themselves into the knockout stages and face South Korea. Sprain drubbed Tunisia 3 - 1 to lead group H with 6 points and book their place in the knockout stage.

The way the teams are placed now, we have very bright chances to witnessing a Brazil v/s Argentina final, with either Ukraine or Australia, and England or Portugal making up the other 2 semi finalists. Ofcourse, I still see a minor chance for Germany and Holland as favourites to enter into this list of semifinalists.