Match Day 3 for the US

and a must win game for the national team. Should the US fail to win, they will be coming home. Not as disgraced as the 1998 tournament, but certainly not pleased; and in so doing will deal yet another blow to the football movement in the US. Thus, I am rooting very hard for the United States, not so much because I was born here and live here, but because I want football to be a success here. Because Americans hate a loser, we have to win. But, sadly, just a win won't do it unless we beat Ghana by more than 4 goals which I truthfully don't see happening as we have yet to score even a single goal in this tournament. So, I'm really hoping that Italy smack the Czech Republic about a bit and emerge the winners in that game. An Italy win combined with a US win will see the US through to the round of 16. Later in the day we'll see Japan host Brazil and Croatia play Australia. Brazil are definitely going through, but the other spot is still open and any team can take it. The first games have started and the US have come out in a very interesting 4-3-3 formation. Without Mastroeni & Pope, the midfield has had to be shuffled about a bit, and it looks like Reyna will be playing a deep holding role allowing McBride, Donovan and Lewis to surge forward. Goals are a must and it looks like we're trying to take the game to Ghana. Ghana, for their part, are without their only goal-scorers through yellow-card suspension. Not usually a vocal member of Sam's Army, I am today for the sake of football in this decidedly non-football nation. Come on the boys! **UPDATE** I'm at work, reading the games on Eurosport, but not actually watching them. I do, however, record them and watch them when I get home. However, my wife is at home (she works from home) and today when the TV switched channels to record the USA/Ghana game she ignored it as she always does. But not for long. The drone of millions of voices finally took shape in her ears as the National Anthem of the US. So, she abandoned her morning work to go and view what was really happening. Seeing all the patriotic faces and flags and so many people singing joyously for our team, she decided to take on another task in a room with a TV. She'll be watching this game as it's happening. Colour me jealous. **UPDATE** on 22 minutes it's all gone a bit pear-shaped for the US. Ghana have scored and Reyna is taken off the field on a stretcher. I have no more than that at the moment. on the 26th minute, Italy go up 1-0 over the Czech Republic which means that the US can still go through if they get their act together. Reyna is back on after nearly a full five minutes on the sideline. Hopefully he'll be able to last the game. Sadly, he can't. Claudio Reyna, the experienced centre mid-fielder for the US is coming off in the 40th minute. It's an uphill climb now for the United States. and they SCORE!! It's in the net, it's in the net. Clint Dempsey on the 43rd minute, where are his critics now? But, the offical, not to be outdone awards a penalty to Ghana less than 2 minutes later; and Ghana have the lead 2-1 at the break. Hard done on America having to play against 12 men. Hard done on the Czech Republic, too. If Ghana win, and Italy win then it's the number 2 and the number 5 FIFA-ranked world teams that are headed home while the number 14 & number 48(!) teams advance. Truth be told, if the US don't advance I'm more inclined to hold hope out for a small Ghana nation than for the Czech Republic. The Italy & the Czech Republic game have entered the break at 1-0 to the Italians. **UPDATED** The games have restarted and Ghana are really just toying with the US at this stage. Yet more proof that the FIFA rankings are cocked up. **UPDATED* Twenty minutes (or less) remain in the matches and all signs point to the CR & the US going home. But, it's a funny ol' game and no match is over until it's over. I've watched Liverpool comeback from a 3-0 deficit at halftime to win the game. Anything is possible. It's up the US to regain the plot and the Italians to not lose it. **UPDATED** ye gods what a thrilling group this Group E has been. Perhaps it's not shaking out as I expected, but what the hell that's what footy is all about, wot? Italy have just secured a second goal to almost certainly send the Czech Republich home. Sadly, it appears as though the US will also be going home as they seem rather lost without their talismanic captain, Reyna. and they have...Italy have beaten the Czech Republic in an astonishing 2-0 encounter in Hamburg. Italy are through as the winners of Group E, they'll play the runner-up of Group F on Monday the 26th. The US need the win desperately. They're throwing everything at the ball in a bid to gain two quick last-gasp goals. I fear it's all over for the heroes of Sam's Army and once again the hopes & dreams of soccer fans the nation over will be dashed against the walls of American indifference. The entire nation of Ghana must be going crazy. Who'd have ever thought they'd win a game, much less two and finish second in the group? Intheir first ever World Cup, Ghana will advance out of the first round. They'll have to play the winners of Group F which for all purposes will be Brazil unless Japan shocks the world and beats them later in the day. Fantastic Ghana have won 2-1 in Nuremburg and are through. The USA are going home. At least the USA scored a goal of their own in this game. They've given a sorry account of themselves, this over-hyped, over-paid USA team. But, they'll be back in four years with fresh faces and a fresh look. Time to move forward. Excellent job to the Ghana team spirit and the Italian fortitude. **UPDATE** The second round of matches has just started and Croatia, in a must win situation find themselves the early leaders on the beauty of a 2nd minute goal by Sma. Should Croatia defeat Australia and Brazil defeat Japan then Brazil & Croatia go through to the knock-out round. An Austria/Croatia draw brings it down to goal differential in which Australia currently has the edge. These two groups today, E & F, this is fascinating stuff. So much to play for. **UPDATE** GOAL! In the 35th minute, Tamada opens the scoresheet for Japan leaving Brazil reeling. Japan 1 - Brazil 0! The impossible dream for Japan is on the books, now if they can only hold it. in the other match, Australia are still losing to a resilient Croatian team. It's all up for grabs today, kids. Any of these four teams could advance. **UPDATE** My gosh how I wish i was watching these games instead of just reading them on the Eurosport play-by-play (as good as that is). What fascinating turns have occurred. Both games are going into the break as 1-1 draws. Tim Cahill secured a penalty for Australia which Craig Moore easily converted. That opened the doors for Australia. Ronaldo, for Brazil, headed in a goal from a Cicinho cross. Where are his detractors now? That leveled it for Brazil on the stroke of half. And my but don't we have some drama going on in Germany? **UPDATE** the Japanese dream is slowly fading. They're defending too deep considering that they have to win to advance, and now Brazil has scored a second. Juninho with a 30 yard strike that should have been stopped has instead nestled snugly in the net. It's Brazil's to lose now. In the other match, we're still at 1-1 with neither side taking the necessary risk to open it up. **UPDATE** and it really is all over for Japan now. The game still has 5 minutes in it, but I don't think the poor, Japanese players even know what hit them. Having another team score first has set Brazil on edge and they've just played brilliant, beautiful exhibition football ever since. This the Brazil we've been waiting for, so in some respects, "Thank you, Japan and we're sorry to see you go." The score is 4-1 Brazil in the 85th minute. Brazil have really spread the goals out, too with 1 each coming from Ronaldo, Gilberto (Arsenal man!), Juninho and Ronaldinho. Ghana will certainly have their work cut out for them when they meet on Tuesday the 27th. In the other match, Croatia have stabbed themselves by allowing a second Australian goal in the 78th minute by Harry Kewell and going down to 10 men 8 minutes later (although it could have been/should have been 9 men as one of their players is currently on 2 yellow cards in the match). Croatia need a win to advance while Australia will move forward with this draw. Croatia have less than a minute (plus stoppage time) to pull this one out. And that's that. What amazing stuff. Australia and Brazil go through. Brave, foolish Croatia and Japan are headed home, their World Cup over. The final third day matches are tomorrow. So until then, Wastrel On! (listening to: a Conference call in my office & South Pacific Soundtrack & the Andrew Sisters & Erasure & Talking Heads & Pretenders & Big Country & Naked Eyes & Sonic Youth)