Day: June 22, 2006

Was there ever any doubt? After sleepwalking for a half, Brazil managed to rouse itself to bury a vastly overmatched Japan side 4-1. Even Big Ron himself managed to get two while he continues to play himself into shape.

But, the match of the day–the match of the tournament, so far–was Australia with their miracle last minute goal against Croatia. Harry Kewell is one of my least favorite players on the planet, so I wasn’t thrilled. But, they go through with that 2-2 draw.

There were several lessons to be learned by the likes of the US and even England in these matches. Brazil shot 21 times. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. Granted, not everybody gets to play Japan. But you have to create shots and take them when they’re there. Otherwise, you end up waiting on some last gasp header with 5 minutes to play.

Australia needed the tie. They played as if their very lives depended on it. They threw everything they had at Croatia, playing with 4 forwards late. The US finished their match as if they were already packing.

Well Done Oz.

Italy did their part for us, beating the Czech Republic 2-0, but the Americans fell to Ghana 2-1.

Bruce Arena apparently had no ideas as the US offense continued to sputter in a match they had to win to advance. Claudio Reyna gifted Ghana the first goal, losing the ball in the back trying to dribble out of danger. Can’t blame him for whatever injury he came up with. I was sick too, after that. The other score was a dubious penalty right before the break. But there’s no point in whining. You have to go out and win these matches, and they didn’t.

Clint Dempsey’s goal after a nice pass from Beasely, his only moment all day, was great. Unfortunately, they needed to do that two more times. If you only manage it once, it smacks of luck.

Landon Donovan was a complete waste of space the entire game. Worse than a waste. At least if he wasn’t on the pitch, somebody else would have been taking the set pieces he was constantly booming uselessly. Anybody else. Please. As expected, Michael Essien ruled the midfield. Stay in LA Lando, you are not ready for prime time.

The US team didn’t look sharp or ready to play from the first whistle on. With everything riding on this, I’d hoped for a bit of flair from somewhere. There isn’t any.