The 2006 World Cup

[Southernman]

It's good to see Australia get a 2-2 draw to progress through to the second round. The Australian goalkeeper must be happy after his blunder that gave Croatia the lead.

Brazil had a 4-1 win over Japan.

Italy and Ghana are the group E teams to get into the second round. Italy beat the Czech Rep. 2-0. Ghana beat USA 2-1.

Round of sixteen matches decided today are Italy v Australia and Brazil v Ghana.

[Southernman]

The results of the last games in group G is France 2-0 over Togo. France made hard work of a team that they should have beaten easily. Switzerland beat Korea 2-0. The two teams into the last round from group G are Switzerland and France.

In group H Spain who rested a few players beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. Ukraine beat Tunisia 1-0. The teams into the second round are Spain and Ukraine.

The round of sixteen is next up. I predict Germany to beat Sweden and Argentina to beat Mexico

[Southernman]

Germany beat Sweden 2-0, scoring both goals early on. When Sweden lost a player for a second yellow card midway through the first half the game lost shape. The second yellow card should not have been shown in my opinion. Sweden also missed a penalty kick in the second half.

A fast opening in the game between Mexico and Argentina. Both sides scored a goal early on. Argentina were lucky not to have a player sent off near the end of the first half after an illegal tackle prevented the Mexican player a chance to have a shot at goal with only the goalkeeper to beat. Both sides looked tired in the second half. The game went into extra time where a brilliant goal from Argentina enabled it to win 2-1.

[Southernman]

England looked suspect in their 1-0 win over Ecuador. The only goal came from a Beckham free kick.

Portugal beat Netherlands 1-0 in a match that finished nine aside. Players of both sides lost the plot in a nasty match.

England will be favoured to beat Portugal in the quater finals as Portugal will have players suspended.

[jacfan]

It is not certain that Harry Kewell will line up against Italy tonight.

[Ed]

So far all the group winners have made it through to the Quarter finals.

Germany, Argentina, England, Portugal.

Can Australia change that tonight ? It will be tough but not impossible.

I agree with Southernman that England will have an advantage over Portugal as 2 key players are suspended and Ronaldo may have a serious injury but keep in mind England didn't play that well against Ecuador.

Germany vs Argentina ? Don't know who can predict the result of that one!

[sgd]

I agree with Southernman that England will have an advantage over Portugal as 2 key players are suspended and Ronaldo may have a serious injury but keep in mind England didn't play that well against Ecuador.

Germany vs Argentina ? Don't know who can predict the result of that one!

I think the winner of Germany vs Argentina will become WC... my team -- Argentina (I alsi support Italy and Ukrania =)

sad to see Australia lose like that today...
And very good for Ukrania!

1/4 Final Ita vs Ukr..: Italy 2 - 1

[Julian Mayo]

It is not certain that Harry Kewell will line up against Italy tonight.

He didn't

[jacfan]

[Julian Mayo]

I concur

[Southernman]

Australia were unfortunate to lose 1-0 in injury time in the second half to an Italian side that played with ten men for most of the second half. The Italians were unlucky for their player to get a straight red card when a yellow card would have been a true punishment. The penalty that the Italy scored from in injury time should not have been awarded. The Italian player "tripped" over an Australian player lying on the ground.

I wanted Australia to win.

Ukraine and Switzerland game went to a penalty shoot out after the teams both failed to score in ordinary and extra time. Both sides looked they were more concerned more with not losing rather than trying to win.

[<T-K>]

Ukraine

World cup champions 2006 (although the way they played yesterday wasnt WC material)

[Southernman]

Brazil out classed Ghana 3-0. I'm not as convinced as the media is that Ronaldo is back even though he did score a good goal.

France beat Spain 3-1. Spain took the lead with a penalty midway through the first half. France equalised just before halftime with a great goal. In the second half France got the lead near the end of the game. In injury time France got their third goal.

My predictions for the quarter finals. (don't laugh)

Germany to beat Argentina.
Italy to beat Ukraine.
England to beat Portugal
Brazil to beat france.

[Julian Mayo]

Brazil out classed Ghana 3-0. I'm not as convinced as the media is that Ronaldo is back even though he did score a good goal.

France beat Spain 3-1. Spain took the lead with a penalty midway through the first half. France equalised just before halftime with a great goal. In the second half France got the lead near the end of the game. In injury time France got their third goal.

My predictions for the quarter finals. (don't laugh)

Germany to beat Argentina.
Italy to beat Ukraine.
England to beat Portugal
Brazil to beat france.

Germany/Brazil Final ?
Go Brazil.

[Southernman]

Germany beat Argentina in a penalty shootout (4-2) after the scores were level 1-1 at the end of normal and extra time. It was a tightly contested first half that both sides struggled to get many shoots on target. The game came to life early in the second half when Argentina scored the opening goal. Germany didn't equalise until late in the second half. Brave performance from Ballack who played on although injured.

I don't like penalty shootouts to decide matches.

Italy beat Ukraine 3-0 in the other quarterfinal played today. Italy scored a great goal at the start of the first half. In the second half Ukraine were unlucky not to convert chances that they had and unfortunately conceded two goals midway through the second half.