World Cup Review

Day 9
Saturday. June 17

(All match review are for the official FIFA World Cup Site at yahoo.com or you can go to the offical site at this address: fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/)

GROUP D
Portugal (W= 3 pts.) vs Iran (L= zero pts.)

Portugal became the sixth team assured a place in the Round of 16 at Germany 2006 after second-half goals from Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-0 win against Iran on Saturday, 17 June 2006.

While Portugal were celebrating a second straight win in Group D - and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's ninth in succession overall in FIFA World Cups™ - Iran were left to reflect on what went wrong after their second defeat confirmed their elimination. After a goalless first half in Frankfurt, Deco broke the deadlock with a long-distance strike in the 63rd minute and Ronaldo sealed the victory from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining.

Despite battling bravely all the way and showing much to be proud of, Iran's hopes are crushed with one group game still to go. Portugal, while sure of a spot in the Round of 16, are not yet guaranteed first place in the group with a tough final test against second-placed Mexico still to come. Only pride will be at stake for Iran in their final match against Angola.

GROUP E
Czech Republic (W= 3 pts.) vs Ghana (L= zero pts.)

Finally one of the newcomers at this FIFA World Cup™ were able to celebrate a victory as Ghana made history by beating the Czech Republic 2-0 in Cologne on Saturday, 17 June 2006.

Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari scored the goals that gave Ghana their first win on the world stage at the expense of a Czech side who played the closing stages with ten men after Tomas Ujfalusi's dismissal.

Ghana's triumph is the first for any of the debutants at Germany 2006 and also the first for any of the five African finalists. Their victory margin might have been greater had Gyan not struck a penalty against the post in the second half.

Gyan had earlier opened the scoring in the second minute before Sulley Muntari confirmed their success seven minutes from time. However, bookings here mean both scorers, together with Tomas Lokvenc and the dismissed Ujfalusi from the Czech team, will be suspended for their next matches.

Ghana's historic win gives them genuine hope of qualifying for the second round. In their final group game they will play the USA, while the Czechs – disappointing today without strikers Jan Koller and Milan Baros – will hope for better in their showdown with Italy in Hamburg.

GROUP E
Italy (W= 3 pts.) vs United States (L= zero pts.)

Italy moved a point clear at the top of Group E after drawing 1-1 with the USA in an incident-filled match in Kaiserslautern on Saturday, 17 June 2006.

Alberto Gilardino headed Italy into a 22nd-minute lead but their lead last only five minutes until Christian Zaccardo turned the ball into his own net. That was the end of the scoring but a minute later the Azzurri lost Daniele De Rossi to the first of three red cards.

The USA's Pablo Mastroeni also saw red in the 45th minute and Eddie Pope followed suit two minutes into the second half. The result left both sides in contention before their final games, with Italy top on four points and the USA bottom with one.

Italy ended the night top of a very tight Group E, one point ahead of Ghana and the Czech Republic, prior to next week's showdown with the Czechs. The USA kept their hopes of qualification alive after playing almost the entire second half with one man less than the Italians.

Group D
Mexico 6 pts. (+3 GD)
Portugal 4 pts. (+2 GD)
Angola 1 pt.(-1 GD)
Iran no pts.(-4 GD)

Last match of Group D
June 21th - 10:00 AM
Iran v Angola
Portugal v Mexico

Group E
Italy 4 pts. (+2 GD)
Czech Republic 3 pts. (+1 GD)
Ghana 3 pt. (even GD)
United States 1 pts. (-3 GD)

Last Match in Group E
June 22nd - 10:00 AM
Czech Republic v Italy
Ghana v United States

In the Final 16 in order

1. Ecuador
2. Germany
3. England
4. Argentina
5. Holland
6. Portugal

Out of the World cup in order

1. Poland
2. Costa Rica
3. Paraguay
4. Ivory Coast
5. Serbia and Montenegro
6. Iran

Tomorrow matches

Group F
Japan (zero pts.)vs Croatia (Zero pts.)
Japan came within eight Mintues of victory but a Aussie burst of three goal took away three points from the Japanesse, But will they shake it off vs Croatia who look flat vs Brazil.

Group F
Brazil(3 pts.)vs Australia (3 Pts.)
The Aussie scored there first goal in world Cup history and scored anonder and andondor to beat japan but will that be luck vs Brazil who look reall good vs Croatia.

Group G
France (1 pt.)vs South Korea (3 Pts.)
The Franch is hoped to break there world Cup Loseing Steak (they have not won since WC 98, Loss all three games in WC 2002 and draw vs Switzerland) vs a always tought South Korea team who always tought just ask Togo who loss to the South Korean in match one 2-1.