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| stewed & Keefed |
Mexico 0-0 Angola
Angola caused a shock by holding Mexico to a goalless draw, despite playing the last 11 minutes with 10 men.
Mexico enjoyed all the best chances, but a combination of poor finishing and the acrobatics of Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo kept them out.
Andre Macanga was sent off on 79 minutes after handling the ball and being shown a second yellow card.
Rafael Marquez then went close with a rasping shot and Omar Bravo hit the post, but Angola managed to hold out.
Mexico, who are ranked fourth in the world and won their opening game against Iran 3-1, went into the match as hot favourites.
And they started confidently, with defender Carlos Salcido setting the tone after just a minute by curling a shot narrowly over the crossbar from 30 yards.
Mexico's cultured captain Marquez then rattled the woodwork with a rasping 30-yard free-kick.
But Angola, prompted by the experienced Figueiredo, became more of a force as the half progressed.
The World Cup debutants had impressed in their opening match, despite losing 1-0 to Portugal, and they again started to play some good football.
After half an hour Figueiredo curled a sumptuous free-kick onto the head of Akwa, but Angola's captain headed wastefully over the crossbar from nine yards out.
Mexico were still impressive in possession, but most of their moves broke down as soon as the ball reached their Argentine-born striker Guillermo Franco.
Coach Ricardo La Volpe responded by bringing on striker Jesus Arellano for Antonio Zinha after 53 minutes.
The substitution paid off almost immediately, when Arellano headed the ball into the path of Franco, whose attempted lob was palmed away by the athletic Joao Ricardo.
Perhaps inevitably considering Portugal's profligacy, it was an Angolan mistake that almost broke the deadlock.
Jamba's clearance hit the back of his own team-mate and the ball rebounded into the path of Bravo, but the Mexican's weak finish was comfortably gathered by Joao Ricardo.
Angola's cause became even more difficult when Andre was shown a second yellow card for handling the ball and became the sixth player to be sent off at this World Cup.
Mexico piled forward in search of the goal that would have put them on course for a place in the last 16.
Marquez hit a rasping 30-yard shot that Joao Ricardo tipped round the bar and then Bravo again spurned a wonderful opportunity by hitting the post from just a yard out.
There were wild celebrations from the Angola fans at the final whistle as their side claimed their first ever World Cup point.
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Mexico: Sanchez, Salcido, Marquez, Osorio, Pineda (Morales 78), Torrado, Zinha (Arellano 52), Pardo, Mendez, Franco (Fonseca 74), Bravo.
Subs Not Used: Borgetti, Castro, Corona, Garcia, Guardado, Ochoa, Perez, Rodriguez, Suarez.
Booked: Pineda.
Angola: Joao Ricardo, Jamba, Kali, Delgado, Loco, Figueiredo (Rui Marques 72), Macanga, Mateus (Mantorras 68), Mendonca, Ze Kalanga (Miloy 83), Akwa.
Subs Not Used: Airosa, Buengo, Edson, Flavio, Lama, Lebo-Lebo, Love, Marco, Mario.
Sent Off: Macanga (80).
Booked: Delgado, Macanga, Ze Kalanga, Joao Ricardo.
Att: 43,000
Ref: Shamsul Maidin (Singapore).
Fifa man of the match: Joao Ricardo.
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| axl79 |
quote:
Carlos Pigozzi wrote:
Yeah it was nice. Anyway we played against nobody.
Swedish television described Sebia as the best defence team in Europe , I think they rather colapsed... |
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| axl79 |
I'm now waiting to see Italy against USA. I expect a good game.
My prediction is 2- 0, sorry USA |
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| VoodooChileInWOnderl |
quote:
axl79 wrote:
It was gently of Mexico to give Angola the first World cup point ever!
Which do you think was the reason?
1.- Some courtesy and some taste to give them their first point in a world cup ever.
2.- They played good because in Angola and south-east Mexico the team who win eats the team who lose.
3.- The African football is "heavily underrated".
4.- México used only back up players.
5.- The crowd was crazy singing "Cielito Lindo" and the team was waiting for JJF.
6.- Angola has the best goal keeper.
7.- Mexico accepted a very attractive bribe from Angola.
8.- All of the above.
9.- None of the above.
10.- Some of the above
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| axl79 |
quote:
VoodooChileInWOnderl wrote:
Which do you think was the reason?
3.- The African football is "heavily underrated".
[/list]
That one is close!!!
You shall write Mexico team "heavily underrated" the Angola team.  |
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| Pako Gertte |
I be eating mexicans dey ar so taisti |
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| stewed & Keefed |
Portugal 2-0 Iran
Goals from Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo secured Portugal's passage into the last 16 of the World Cup after victory over Iran in Frankfurt.
Barcelona playmaker Deco opened the scoring on 62 minutes with a vicious 22-yard strike past stranded Iran goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour.
And Ronaldo doubled the score from the penalty spot when Luis Figo was brought down in the box on 78 minutes.
Javad Nekounam went closest for Iran, who now cannot qualify.
But despite their dominance Portugal failed to capitalise on their superiority, a factor which is likely to concern manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The best chance of the first half fell to Deco, who was denied when his fierce left-foot drive from eight yards was brilliantly saved by Ebrahim Mirzapour after 12 minutes.
The goalkeeper somehow managed to force the ball over the crossbar for a corner, much to the despair of the Brazilian-born star.
Wingers Luis Figo and Ronaldo began to exert their influence in midfield as both men created problems with their slick dribbling skills.
Ronaldo was a constant thorn in the Iranian defence's side
But neither man could find the incisive ball for striker Pauleta, who toiled alone up front with little success.
Ronaldo's pace saw him carve open the Iranian defence on 33 minutes, but his wicked 16-yard strike agonisingly shaved the wrong side of Mirzapour's left-hand post.
Despite continuous Portuguese pressure, the Iranians managed to cause the odd problem in their opposition's penalty area - Mehdi Mahdavikia's inswinging free-kick had goalkeeper Ricardo tentatively punching clear.
But Portugal's attacking instincts were eventually rewarded on 62 minutes when Deco collected Figo's pass five yards outside the Iranian penalty area.
The Barcelona player needed just one touch, striking a sweet first-time shot past the helpless Mirzapour, who could only watch the ball sail into the top left corner.
The goal forced Iranian coach Branko Ivankovic to make changes - and his substitution almost paid off when Rasoul Khatibi, on for striker Mehrzad Madanchi, fired just wide after Fernando Meira misjudged a long ball.
Victory was eventually secured in the 78th minute when Iran captain Yahya Golmohammadi needlessly brought down Figo in the penalty area.
Ronaldo stepped up and confidently converted from the penalty spot, firing into the top left-hand corner.
Iran should have pulled a goal back in the 92nd minute, but Javad Nekounam headed wide after rising unchallenged from a free-kick.
Ronaldo thought he had scored his second of the game in the dying seconds, but his six-yard shot was adjudged offside.
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Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Meira, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche (Petit 66), Deco (Tiago 80), Ronaldo, Pauleta, Figo (Simao 88)
Subs Not Used: Paulo Ferreira, Caneira, Ricardo Costa, Boa Morte, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Santos, Postiga, Quim, Viana
Booked: Pauleta, Deco, Costinha
Goals: Deco 63, Ronaldo 80 pen
Iran: Mirzapour, Kaebi, Rezaei, Golmohammadi, Nosrati, Mahdavikia, Nekonam, AKarimi, Taymoorian, Madanchi, Hashemian
Subs Not Used: Borhani, Daei, Enayati, Kazemeian, Navidkia, Roudbarian, Sadeqi, Shojaei, Talebloo
Booked: Nekounam, Madanchi, Kaabi, Golmohammadi
Attendance: 48,000
Referee: Eric Poulat (France)
Fifa man of the match: Deco
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| PartyDoll MEG |
quote:
VoodooChileInWOnderl wrote:
Which do you think was the reason?
1.- Some courtesy and some taste to give them their first point in a world cup ever.
2.- They played good because in Angola and south-east Mexico the team who win eats the team who lose.
3.- The African football is "heavily underrated".
4.- México used only back up players.
5.- The crowd was crazy singing "Cielito Lindo" and the team was waiting for JJF.
6.- Angola has the best goal keeper.
7.- Mexico accepted a very attractive bribe from Angola.
8.- All of the above.
9.- None of the above.
10.- Some of the above
Voodoo- LMAO!! You have too much free time on your hands... |
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| Pako Gertte |
Ghana be beating the Czechs, Ghana is the champion, soon we be eating American food and I ain't talkin' 'bout McDonald's crap |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Pako Gertte wrote:
Ghana be beating the Czechs, Ghana is the champion, soon we be eating American food and I ain't talkin' 'bout McDonald's crap
Why would anyone be eating American food if Ghana beats the Czechs today?? The logic escapes me. I do agree however that McDonald's has the grossest tasting food of all fastfood joints. Burger King beats them again . |
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| Pako Gertte |
nex mach is against da USA so soon we be eating americans and today Czech, white meat is so tasty
I wanna eat a dutchie too |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Pako Gertte wrote:
I wanna eat a dutchie too
Yeah? Come and get us if you can!  |
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| Gazza |
maybe he means it differently than you do 
great game - what a fantastic performance by Ghana. |
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| J.J.Flash |
Hey fellow yankees, the game is about to start. Watch out the italian mafia (see Tony Montana)
P.S.: Just lurking.... |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
maybe he means it differently than you do
You dirty old man, corrupting my attempt to naivety!
Go Italy!! Go USA!
Ghana are the pride of Africa today no doubt, what a match! And how could anyone miss such a penalty (except for Seedorf against France in 1996...) |
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| VoodooChileInWOnderl |
quote:
J.J.Flash wrote:
Hey fellow yankees, the game is about to start. Watch out the italian mafia (see Tony Montana)
P.S.: Just lurking....
Tony is Cuban, he still alive and well, survived that machine gun fest |
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| Scot Rocks |
1 nil Azzuri! Gilardino |
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| Angiegirl |
lol! that was dumb! 1-1... |
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| Scot Rocks |
USA equalise with an own goal and then De Rossi sent off for Italy, shocking by De Rossi, definately deserved to be sent off and could put his team out of the world cup, what an idiot. |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
Scot Rocks wrote:
USA equalise with an own goal and then De Rossi sent off for Italy, shocking by De Rossi, definately deserved to be sent off and could put his team out of the world cup, what an idiot.
hmmm, fair play seems to be an empty slogan for italy when they are put under pressure (by themselves). idiot indeed. |
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| Rick56 |
Fools now its ten a side, thats the last thing you should do when the opposition are one man short |
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| Angiegirl |
quote:
pdog wrote:
This is a completely different USA team.
Attacking the goal, wining in the mid field...
I expected a blow out loss, I actually think USa could win this...
What a way to spend a Saturday...
I can't believe most Americans don't enjoy this game...
Italy have underrated the US team, they got loads of chances, and with 10 vs 10, still they could win from Italy indeed. What a day for Group E!
[Edited by Angiegirl] |
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| Angiegirl |
Congrats USA, shame on you Italy!!
What a day, boy oh boy! |
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| stewed & Keefed |
Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana
Ghana threw Group E wide open with victory over the Czech Republic.
Asamoah Gyan fired Ghana ahead after just 70 seconds, finishing superbly to punish Tomas Ujfalusi's mistake.
Ujfalusi was later sent off for bringing down Matthew Amoah, but the Czechs had a reprieve as Gyan struck the resulting penalty against the post.
Petr Cech kept Ghana at bay with a string of great saves but the Black Stars sealed victory with a second when Sulley Muntari rounded off a fine move.
Ghana gave an instant demonstration of their determination to make amends for their error-strewn defeat to Italy by sweeping into the lead inside 70 seconds.
A Ghana corner was cleared only as far as Stephen Appiah whose cross was missed by Ujfalusi and fell for Gyan who finished superbly past Cech from the edge of the box.
The Czech Republic were having problems getting the influential Tomas Rosicky on the ball and when they did get crosses in they missed the giant figure of the injured Jan Koller and Ghana's defence were able to cope relatively comfortably.
Ghana's central midfielders Appiah and Michael Essien worked their socks off to negate the threat of Nedved and Rosicky.
The Czechs at last stitched a move together, with Jaroslav Plasil, Rosicky and Nedved combining to set up Poborsky for a cross which Rosicky fired wide.
Czech Republic's hunger for an equaliser almost proved their undoing as Asamoah Gyan caught them short-handed at the back and it needed a great save Cech to prevent Ghana doubling their lead.
At the other end Richard Kingston arched up to tip over a powerful drive from Plasil as the contest took on the air of a game in the knockout stages.
Drama erupted on 65 minutes when Ujfalusi brought down Amoah. Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo pointed to the penalty spot, but took an age to show the last Czech defender a red card.
Gyan was shown a yellow card for taking the penalty without the referee's permission, ruling him out of Ghana's last group game against the USA, and struck the retake against the post.
Ghana shrugged off that disappoinment to surge forward and Cech kept the Czechs alive with great saves from Muntari and Amoah.
Cech almost single-handedly kept Ghana at bay, denying Amoah and Gyan in quick succession.
But his resistance ended when Muntari ended off a fine move by firing past Cech from 12 yards.
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Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Poborsky (Stajner 55), Galasek (Polak 45), Rosicky, Plasil (Sionko 68), Nedved, Lokvenc.
Subs Not Used: Mares, Kovac, Jiranek, Jarolim, Blazek, Heinz, Kinsky, Koller, Baros.
Sent Off: Ujfalusi (66).
Booked: Lokvenc.
Ghana: Kingston, Pantsil, Mensah, Mohamed, Shilla, Essien, Appiah, Muntari, Otto Addo (Boateng 45), Gyan (Pimpong 85), Amoah (Eric Addo 80).
Subs Not Used: Adjei, Sarpei, Kuffour, Pappoe, Tachie-Mensah, Owu, Quaye, Ahmed, Dramani.
Booked: Otto Addo, Essien, Gyan, Boateng, Muntari.
Goals: Gyan 2, Muntari 82.
Att: 45,000.
Referee: Horacio Marcelo Elizondo (Argentina).
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| VoodooChileInWOnderl |
Italy + Referee 1 - 1 USA
USA goal was legit
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| PartyDoll MEG |
Well I feel a little better about my USA team. They finally showed a little spunk.... |
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| Ronnie Richards |
USA - Italy 1-1
A truly strange match..
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| charlotte |
USA 9 players-Italy 10 players
Score: USA 1 Italy 1
now, Italy beat the heck out of Czech
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| stewed & Keefed |
Italy 1-1 USA
USA held on for most of the second half with nine men to earn a gutsy draw with 10-man Italy in an enthralling match.
Italy went ahead when Alberto Gilardino headed home Andrea Pirlo's free-kick, before USA levelled soon after thanks to Cristian Zaccardo's sliced own goal.
For only the fourth time at a World Cup three men were sent off, Daniele De Rossi for an elbow, Pablo Mastroeni for a foul and Eddie Pope for two bookings.
Kasey Keller made a series of saves as USA held on to leave Group E wide open.
A point was the least USA deserved after a display full of spirit and determination in Kaiserslautern.
If Ghana's brilliant win over Czech Republic earlier in the day opened up the group, USA looked in the mood to create the second real shock of the day.
They set about their more illustrious opponents with vigour in the early stages, pinning Italy back, with Bobby Convey and Clinton Dempsey both just missing the target.
But, as they began to take control, the Italians produced a classic sucker-punch.
They won a free-kick down the right, Pirlo crossed with precision and Gilardino stooped to head past Keller from eight yards.
USA refused to buckle, however, and two moments of madness inside a minute turned the game in their favour.
They equalised through Zaccardo's horror own-goal, the full-back incredibly slicing a left-footed clearance past Gianluigi Buffon and into the net.
Seconds later, De Rossi disgraced himself with a sickening, needless elbow on Brian McBride and was given his marching orders.
It was the undoubted low point of a World Cup that has tried so hard to entertain.
Italy took off Francesco Totti and brought on Gennaro Gattuso and adapted well to a 4-3-2 formation, though Mastroeni's 35-yard piledriver gave them a scare when it rippled the top of Buffon's net.
Moments later, Mastroeni was off too. His two-footed, reckless lunge on Pirlo was deserving of a red card and left referee Jorge Larrionda with little option.
If Larrionda was expecting a quieter second half, it did not last for long.
Pope slid through Gilardino and was handed his second yellow of the evening, as USA were unbelievably reduced to nine men.
Carlos Bocanegra headed onto his own crossbar, but USA were brave enough to counter-attack when they could, McBride slicing a left-foot shot wide.
They thought they had gone ahead when substitute DaMarcus Beasley lashed in from 15 yards, but McBride was adjudged to have been standing in an offside position.
Any neutrals in the crowd would have been sympathetic to USA's plight and they will have celebrated as Kasey Keller pulled off a wonder save to claw away Alessandro Del Piero's close-range toe-poke.
Italy pressed but they could not break USA's resolve and the Americans claimed an extraordinary point to kick-start their World Cup campaign.
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Italy: Buffon, Zaccardo (Del Piero 54), Nesta, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Perrotta, Pirlo, De Rossi, Totti (Gattuso 35), Toni (Iaquinta 61), Gilardino.
Subs Not Used: Amelia, Barone, Barzagli, Camoranesi, Grosso, Inzaghi, Materazzi, Oddo, Peruzzi.
Sent Off: De Rossi (28).
Booked: Totti, Zambrotta.
Goals: Gilardino 22.
USA: Keller, Cherundolo, Onyewu, Pope, Bocanegra, Dempsey (Beasley 62), Mastroeni, Reyna, Convey (Conrad 51), McBride, Donovan.
Subs Not Used: Albright, Berhalter, Ching, Hahnemann, Howard, Johnson, Lewis, O'Brien, Olsen, Wolff.
Sent Off: Mastroeni (45), Pope (47).
Booked: Pope.
Goals: Zaccardo 27 og.
Att: 46,000.
Ref: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
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| axl79 |
As I said before the match , two italian goals
What a match, US deserved to win, that's for sure. The referee accepted a bribe at half time. |
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