World Cup 2006: Day 7
Day 7 was the first full-fledged day of the second round of group games at the World Cup. Teams like Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden and Paraguay were all fighting to stay alive in their respective groups, while Ecuador and England were looking to seal berths in the second round of the competition. Ecuador was first up, facing a Costa Rican side that earned plaudits from many neutral observers despite letting in 4 goals against Germany in the opening game. However, today was a different story. Los Ticos were hardly able to get a foothold in the game, when Carlos Tenorio came up with yet another bullet header to put Ecuador up 1-0 inside the first 10 minutes. Ecuador proceeded to completely dominate the first half, and Costa Rica hardly had a sniff at goal. The Ticos came out with a little more attacking intent in the second half and created a couple of chances, but Agustin Delgado effectively ended the match as a contest when he rifled home a volley to make it 2-0 8 minutes after half-time. Symmetry indeed! Ivan Kaviedes made it 3-0 in the last minute, and Ecuador recorded their second win comfortably, putting them into the second round for the first time in their history! They will play Germany next in a game that will decide who goes through as the group leader.
The much anticipated clash between England and their former colony T&T was up next, with the newspapers reporting that Wayne Rooney was declared match fit by the doctors and would likely play some part in this game. The game got off to a sluggish start as T&T set out their stall to try and repeat the 0-0 draw they miraculously achieved against the Swedes. Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch both had chances, which they promptly wasted, to put England ahead. On the stroke of halftime, England needed the acrobatic intervention of John Terry on the goalline to keep the scores level as Stern John bullied his way through a box to meet a Dwight Yorke cross. England came out a little more aggressively in the second half, but still could not break through a stubborn T&T defence. It was particularly refreshing to see Sven-Goran Erikkson bring on attacking subs like Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing, as England sought the goal that would put them through to the next round. The substitutions worked as England were much more dangerous, especially with Lennon and Downing on the flanks, and more chances were squandered by Chelsea star Frank Lampard. T&T seemed to be holding out for another famous 0-0 draw when beanpole striker Peter Crouch rose high to head home a David Beckham cross! 1-0 England in the 83rd minute. T&T tried to push forward in search of an equaliser but it was England who struck in the final minute, as Steven Gerrard showed Lampard how it is done, striking a sweet left footed shot into the top corner of Shaka Hislop's net. 2-0 it finished, and a fair result for the English who dominated possession and created numerous chances. They must be worried with the finishing, however, with Michael Owen looking particularly average. Nevertheless, they can face Sweden now needing only a draw to go through as group leaders!
Sweden and Paraguay met in the final match of the day with both sides desperate for a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Sweden showed a much more determined effort this time around, though they were unable to seriously threaten the Paraguayan goal, while Paraguay played with their typical feisty approach. After a rather poor first half with no real chances for either side, Sweden created a couple of fantastic chances that were squandered by Marcus Allback in particular. The linesman also denied Allback a clear run at goal with an erroneous offside decision. Sweden piled on the pressure, and it paid off eventually in the 89th minute as Freddie Ljungberg sneaked in at the far post to head home a Allback cross. The gutsy Paraguayans were visibly deflated, and Sweden was able to kill the rest of the time by playing the ball into the corner flag area. 1-0 to Sweden, and that ends Paraguay chances of qualifying for the second round. They will now play T&T in a game where the Caribbeans will actually have a chance to qualify for the second round, if they win and Sweden lose to England. It is intriguingly poised indeed!
The knockout games have effectively arrived now, and the excitement and tension quite palpable as teams fight for their World Cup lives! Tomorrow, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro will fight for their chance to remain in the World Cup in the infamous Group of Death! Can't wait.....
The much anticipated clash between England and their former colony T&T was up next, with the newspapers reporting that Wayne Rooney was declared match fit by the doctors and would likely play some part in this game. The game got off to a sluggish start as T&T set out their stall to try and repeat the 0-0 draw they miraculously achieved against the Swedes. Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch both had chances, which they promptly wasted, to put England ahead. On the stroke of halftime, England needed the acrobatic intervention of John Terry on the goalline to keep the scores level as Stern John bullied his way through a box to meet a Dwight Yorke cross. England came out a little more aggressively in the second half, but still could not break through a stubborn T&T defence. It was particularly refreshing to see Sven-Goran Erikkson bring on attacking subs like Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing, as England sought the goal that would put them through to the next round. The substitutions worked as England were much more dangerous, especially with Lennon and Downing on the flanks, and more chances were squandered by Chelsea star Frank Lampard. T&T seemed to be holding out for another famous 0-0 draw when beanpole striker Peter Crouch rose high to head home a David Beckham cross! 1-0 England in the 83rd minute. T&T tried to push forward in search of an equaliser but it was England who struck in the final minute, as Steven Gerrard showed Lampard how it is done, striking a sweet left footed shot into the top corner of Shaka Hislop's net. 2-0 it finished, and a fair result for the English who dominated possession and created numerous chances. They must be worried with the finishing, however, with Michael Owen looking particularly average. Nevertheless, they can face Sweden now needing only a draw to go through as group leaders!
Sweden and Paraguay met in the final match of the day with both sides desperate for a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Sweden showed a much more determined effort this time around, though they were unable to seriously threaten the Paraguayan goal, while Paraguay played with their typical feisty approach. After a rather poor first half with no real chances for either side, Sweden created a couple of fantastic chances that were squandered by Marcus Allback in particular. The linesman also denied Allback a clear run at goal with an erroneous offside decision. Sweden piled on the pressure, and it paid off eventually in the 89th minute as Freddie Ljungberg sneaked in at the far post to head home a Allback cross. The gutsy Paraguayans were visibly deflated, and Sweden was able to kill the rest of the time by playing the ball into the corner flag area. 1-0 to Sweden, and that ends Paraguay chances of qualifying for the second round. They will now play T&T in a game where the Caribbeans will actually have a chance to qualify for the second round, if they win and Sweden lose to England. It is intriguingly poised indeed!
The knockout games have effectively arrived now, and the excitement and tension quite palpable as teams fight for their World Cup lives! Tomorrow, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro will fight for their chance to remain in the World Cup in the infamous Group of Death! Can't wait.....
posted by Manoj at
2:04 PM
1 Comments:
mike england was retarded. Totally lousy, needing someone to give them a right kick up their collective arse.
You ought to consider starting a rival soccer website. All the signs are there :-).
I was praying for a T&T draw but the Liverpudlians pooped the party. Why is it that stars for their respective clubs ... the Henrys, Lampards, etc can't perform for the countries?
Ecuador looked good dey. Some dark horse they will be in the round of 16!
By
karthik, at 8:18 PM
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