|
12 June 2006 Italy vs Ghana Preview In Essien, Appiah and Muntari, Ghana have one of the most powerful and dynamic midfields in the competition which is a big problem for an Italy side missing Gattuso. Ghana's strikers however are not much a threat but the same can't be said for Italy who in Toni and Gilardino have two strikers that have scored almost 50 league goals between them. If Totti can finally take his club form to the international stage (and keep his discipline) Toni and Gilardino should prove to be the difference. USA vs Czech Republic Preview Giant striker Jan Koller has missed most of the season with a cruciate ligament injury while their are doubts over the fitness of Baros. Despite the problems in attack the Czech's midfield is excellent and defence stronger than ever, marshalled by the outstanding Peter Cech in goal. McBride, who is superb in the air, is capable of giving any defence problems if he get a steady supply of crosses from Beasley and Convey but the duo will have their hands full with Jankulovski and Grygera. The Czechs should win by two clear goals. 10 June 2006 Netherlands vs Serbia & Montenegro Preview This one is very hard to call. Serbia & Montenegro qualified on the back of an extremely strong defence, conceding just one goal in 10 games but scoring only 16 and in the giant Zigic they have their own Peter Crouch only Zigic is built like a tank. The Dutch qualified in style, topping an extremely tough group in fact under Van Basten they have only lost one game, a 1-3 friendly defeat against Italy. Injury concerns over Van der Vaart and Sneijder aside, I expect Robben and Van Nistelrooy will make the difference. 10 June 2006 England vs Paraguay Preview England's preparations have been overshadowed by Rooney's injury and the irresponsible selection of Theo Walcott at the request of Arsene Wenger who has so much faith in the youngster he hasn't played him in the reserves for 3 months! Rooney and Walcott aside England have one of the most fearsome attacking midfields in the World and arguably the best defence. Paraguay, with the extremely brittle Roque Santa Cruz in attack and extremely overrated Carlos Gamarra in defence shouldn't pose too many problems. Sweden vs Trinidad & Tobago Preview Larsson and Ibrahimovic will have a field day against one of the weakest sides in the tournament. Trinidad and Tobago may be able to capitalise on the injury to first choice goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson and bag themselves a consolation goal. Argentina vs Ivory Coast Preview U, P, S, E, T spells UPSET and this has upset written all over it. Argentina have suffered shock defeats to African sides at the 1990 World Cup and most famously in the 1996 Olympic final against Nigeria in one of the all time great international games. This time Pekerman's team of midgets are facing one of the strongest African teams ever assembled. It's hard to see how, in Messi's absence, Riquelme is going to get the time and space to weave his magic against the fearsome midfield pairing of Didier Zakora and Yaya Toure or how the immobile Crespo and tiny Saviola will cause problems to Arsenal's World Class defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue. Didier Drogba is far from the most cultured of strikers but Pekerman could well be left to rue the omission of Samuel, the one defender capable of matching the powerful Chelsea striker physically. This should be one hell of a match. 9 June 2006 Poland vs Ecuador Preview Nothing screams World Cup like Poland vs Ecuador. Forgot about England vs Argentina, Italy vs Brazil or Germany vs The Netherlands, this the match the fans have been waiting for with baited breath. Speaking of breath Ecuador owe much to their place in the finals to the altitude of Quito. Poland's Janas is another coach who plays the 4-1-3-2 formation popularised by Milan's Carlo Ancelotti with Szymkowiak in the playmaker role. The giant Poles, who scored an impressive 27 goals in qualifying, will only have themselves to blame if they fail to take advantage of their superior height and power against a defence that struggles precisely against that type of approach. Germany vs Costa Rica Preview Germany's results against strong opposition under Klinsmann have been less than inspiring but Costa Rica are anything but strong opposition. Their main threat comes from journeyman striker Paulo Wanchope who is affectionately known as Paulo Lambchop and less affectionately as Paulo Wankchop. Ballack's injury opens the door for Leverkusen's excellent Tim Borowski to play behind the front two of Klose and Podolski. The hosts should have little problems picking up three points. |