WC 2006 Quarter Finals Day 1
From Benny's QF Day 1 Report:
30 June 2006
ITALY 3-0 UKRAINE
Zambrotta 6
Toni 58, 69
Camoranesi had already gone close for Italy before Zambrotta hit the back of the
net. He started the move with a ball into Totti, the Roma captain returned it
with an extravagant back heel as Zambrotta cut in from the right flank, he ran
unchallenged towards the centre of the box he let rip with a left foot drive
from 25 yards which found the bottom corner via Shovkovsky’s left hand, he
probably should have done better.
Having failed to show up in the first half Ukraine came out fighting in the
second. Buffon was almost KTFO when he collided with a post when saving Gusin's
point blank header. Milevsky turned onto a miss-hit shot and played in Gusev
with a superbly weighted pass, Gusev hit the ball with everything he had, Buffon
parried and Tymoshchyuk's follow-up was chested off the line by the outstanding
Zambrotta. Less than a minute later Toni broke his duck. Totti worked a short
corner with Grosso before whipping a teasing cross to the back post and despite
Gusin's concerted attempts to concede a penalty for shirt pulling, the giant
striker headed low into the net. Italy had another escape when the unlucky Gusin
headed a free kick against the crossbar. Zambrotta capped off a stunning
performance by laying on the third goal. Grosso volleyed a pass inside Gusev, a
sharp turn took Zambrotta away from Vashchyuk and he poked the ball forward to a
delighted Toni.
Italy have a fantastic record against Germany and won't be too concerned at the
prospect of playing underdogs. They seem to be peaking at the right time of
course if it goes to penalties Italy are doomed.
Attendance : 50,000
Assists : Totti, Totti (ck), Zambrotta
GERMANY 1-1 ARGENTINA
Klose 80 Ayala 49
I'm not sure of the intention of the teams in the first half. Maybe they were
conserving energy for the second half because they did nothing with the ball,
Argentina especially who had most of it. Ballack had the only chance following a
superb counter attack but headed wide.
Ayala, who but for Cannavaro would be this tournaments outstanding defender,
gave Argentina the lead with a spectacular header from a Riquelme corner. The
game began to open up. Crespo intercepted Lahm's hospital pass, Tevez tried to
dribble past the German defence but spotted Rodriguez in a better position free
on the right of the box, the midfielder lashed wide. Germany won a throw in near
goal. Borowski flicked on Ballack's cross and Klose got in front of Sorin to
header into Franco's bottom corner (Abbondanzieri went off with a injury in the
first half). Rodriguez was booked for diving in the box two minutes from time,
with team-mates in the centre waiting for a cross, match point.
Extra time was... thirty minutes of my life I won't get back.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Neuville's kick is at a good height for Franco but hit with too much pace
Cruz smashes the ball into the top left corner
Ballack sends Franco the wrong way
Ayala hits an awful, power puff shot which Lehmann saves with ease
Podolski drills a low shot into the bottom right corner
Rodriguez is only a fingertip away from seeing his penalty saved
Borowski's penalty is almost a carbon copy of Podolski's
Cambiasso's strike the ball wide of centre and at mid-height, Lehmann takes a
step off his line before saving
As the Germans were celebrating Cufre, who was an unused sub, kicked Metzelder
square in the balls, sending him rolling to the ground in agony and a bench
clearing scuffle ensued. Heinze had to be restrained from getting to Bierhoff
and Maxi Rodriguez leapt over a posse of bodies to slap Schweinsteiger in the
back, pussy.
Pekerman's decision to substitute Riquelme and replace him with DM Cambiasso
on 72 minutes is one of the all time moronic and arrogant decisions in World Cup
history, as was taking off Crespo on 78 minutes and replacing him not with Messi
or even Saviola but Cruz. Pekerman resigned in disgrace minutes later, and so he
should.
Germany win 4-2 on penalties
Attendance : 72,000
Red Card : Cufre 120 (Argentina)
Assists : Riquelme (ck), Borowski
http://soccer-europe.com
Chat room : http://www.lhcw.net/WorldCup
Rss feed : http://soccer-europe.com/RSS/News.xml
Pekerman closed up shop too early.
Semi-Final Germany vs Italy, and the Italians will fee the German heat.
30 June 2006
ITALY 3-0 UKRAINE
Zambrotta 6
Toni 58, 69
Camoranesi had already gone close for Italy before Zambrotta hit the back of the
net. He started the move with a ball into Totti, the Roma captain returned it
with an extravagant back heel as Zambrotta cut in from the right flank, he ran
unchallenged towards the centre of the box he let rip with a left foot drive
from 25 yards which found the bottom corner via Shovkovsky’s left hand, he
probably should have done better.
Having failed to show up in the first half Ukraine came out fighting in the
second. Buffon was almost KTFO when he collided with a post when saving Gusin's
point blank header. Milevsky turned onto a miss-hit shot and played in Gusev
with a superbly weighted pass, Gusev hit the ball with everything he had, Buffon
parried and Tymoshchyuk's follow-up was chested off the line by the outstanding
Zambrotta. Less than a minute later Toni broke his duck. Totti worked a short
corner with Grosso before whipping a teasing cross to the back post and despite
Gusin's concerted attempts to concede a penalty for shirt pulling, the giant
striker headed low into the net. Italy had another escape when the unlucky Gusin
headed a free kick against the crossbar. Zambrotta capped off a stunning
performance by laying on the third goal. Grosso volleyed a pass inside Gusev, a
sharp turn took Zambrotta away from Vashchyuk and he poked the ball forward to a
delighted Toni.
Italy have a fantastic record against Germany and won't be too concerned at the
prospect of playing underdogs. They seem to be peaking at the right time of
course if it goes to penalties Italy are doomed.
Attendance : 50,000
Assists : Totti, Totti (ck), Zambrotta
GERMANY 1-1 ARGENTINA
Klose 80 Ayala 49
I'm not sure of the intention of the teams in the first half. Maybe they were
conserving energy for the second half because they did nothing with the ball,
Argentina especially who had most of it. Ballack had the only chance following a
superb counter attack but headed wide.
Ayala, who but for Cannavaro would be this tournaments outstanding defender,
gave Argentina the lead with a spectacular header from a Riquelme corner. The
game began to open up. Crespo intercepted Lahm's hospital pass, Tevez tried to
dribble past the German defence but spotted Rodriguez in a better position free
on the right of the box, the midfielder lashed wide. Germany won a throw in near
goal. Borowski flicked on Ballack's cross and Klose got in front of Sorin to
header into Franco's bottom corner (Abbondanzieri went off with a injury in the
first half). Rodriguez was booked for diving in the box two minutes from time,
with team-mates in the centre waiting for a cross, match point.
Extra time was... thirty minutes of my life I won't get back.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Neuville's kick is at a good height for Franco but hit with too much pace
Cruz smashes the ball into the top left corner
Ballack sends Franco the wrong way
Ayala hits an awful, power puff shot which Lehmann saves with ease
Podolski drills a low shot into the bottom right corner
Rodriguez is only a fingertip away from seeing his penalty saved
Borowski's penalty is almost a carbon copy of Podolski's
Cambiasso's strike the ball wide of centre and at mid-height, Lehmann takes a
step off his line before saving
As the Germans were celebrating Cufre, who was an unused sub, kicked Metzelder
square in the balls, sending him rolling to the ground in agony and a bench
clearing scuffle ensued. Heinze had to be restrained from getting to Bierhoff
and Maxi Rodriguez leapt over a posse of bodies to slap Schweinsteiger in the
back, pussy.
Pekerman's decision to substitute Riquelme and replace him with DM Cambiasso
on 72 minutes is one of the all time moronic and arrogant decisions in World Cup
history, as was taking off Crespo on 78 minutes and replacing him not with Messi
or even Saviola but Cruz. Pekerman resigned in disgrace minutes later, and so he
should.
Germany win 4-2 on penalties
Attendance : 72,000
Red Card : Cufre 120 (Argentina)
Assists : Riquelme (ck), Borowski
http://soccer-europe.com
Chat room : http://www.lhcw.net/WorldCup
Rss feed : http://soccer-europe.com/RSS/News.xml
Pekerman closed up shop too early.
Semi-Final Germany vs Italy, and the Italians will fee the German heat.
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