World Cup Review

Day 10
Sunday, June 18

From Now untill the end of group play, all match review will be from the official FIFA World Cup Site at yahoo.com or at this address fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/ for more Info

Group F
Japan (L= zero pts.)vs Croatia (L= zero pts)

It was a story of frustration for Japan and Croatia as they played out a goalless draw in Nuremberg on Sunday, 18 June 2006.

The pivotal moment of the match came in the 22nd minute when Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved Darijo Srna's penalty, although Croatia were also breathing a sigh of relief when Atsushi Yanagisawa missed when it seemed easier to score early in the second half.

The result left Japan rooted to the foot of Group F with one point and Croatia ahead only on goal difference in third place. It will hardly help the mood in either camp that both teams will be without key players for their third matches after Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Croatia's Robert Kovac collected their second yellow cards of the tournament.

This stalemate does neither side any favours but will be welcomed warmly in the Brazil and Australia camps.

Group F
Brazil(W= 3 pts.)vs Australia (W= 3 Pts.)

Brazil booked their place in the Round of 16 after overcoming a tough challenge from Australia with a 2-0 win in Munich on Sunday, 18 June 2006.

The FIFA World Cup™ holders took the lead four minutes into the second half through Adriano but they had to survive one or two nervy moments before substitute Fred sealed the victory with a tap-in in the 90th minute. Brazil's second Group F win secured their advance to the second round with a game to spare, while Australia are well poised to join them, holding a two-point advantage of Japan and their next opponents Croatia.

While not altogether convincing, a second victory for Brazil ensures their progress to the second round. An impressive Australia will rue the missed chances but, provided Japan fail to beat Brazil, a draw against Croatia in their final match will take them through.

Group G
France (D= 1 pt.)vs South Korea (W= 3 Pts.)

Korea Republic fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with France as Park Ji-Sung cancelled out Thierry Henry's first-half opener in Leipzig on Sunday, 18 June 2006.

The point salvaged here put the Koreans top of Group G, at least until the end of Monday's match between Togo and Switzerland in Dortmund. The evening began promisingly for Les Bleus when Thierry Henry scored their first FIFA World Cup™ goal since the 1998 Final with nine minutes on the clock.

However, Korea Republic drew level when Park bundled the ball over the line in the 81st minute. To compound France's disappointment, Eric Abidal and Zinedine Zidane both collected bookings which rule them out of their final group game against Togo.

Both sides went close to sealing victory in the dying minutes but in the end they had to be content with a share of the spoils. The Koreans will surely be the happier of the two as the French still hunt their first FIFA World Cup win since the Final of France 98. As Group G stands now, Korea Republic lead the pack with four points with France second with two points. Switzerland and Togo have one and no points respectively ahead of their second game.

Group F
Brazil 6 pts. (+3 GD)
Australia 3 pts. (even GD)
Croatia 1 pt. (-1 GD)
Japan 1 pt. (-2 GD)

Last Match in Group F
June 22nd 3:00 PM
Croatia v Australia
Japan v Brazil

Group G
South Korea 4 pts. (+1 GD)
France 2 pts. (even GD)
Switzerland 1 pts (even GD)
Togo no pts. (-1 GD)

Last Match in Group G
June 23rd 3:00 PM
Switzerland v South Korea
Togo v France


Tomorrow Games
Group G
Togo (zero pts.) v Switzerland (1 pt.)
Group H
Saudi Arabia (1 pt.) v Ukraine (zero pts.)
Group H
Spain (3 pts.) v Tunisia (1 pts.)