[ Home | Standings | Results ]

Match Day 19 > Tuesday 27Jun06

ROUND OF 16 WEEK

Match 55: BRAZIL v. GHANA

Booking: CRAP?

Refreshing to see GHA come at BRA at speed and not be afraid .. .. They actually created more chances than BRA but couldn’t keep their opponent’s from connecting that final pass when they needed to .. ..

BRA looked average again and very beatable – They allowed a good bunch of chances but GHA was so poor with that final ball that they were never under any threat .. .. BRA was lucky that the score wasn’t 1-1 at the half when MENSAH’s header went right to DIDA’s thigh .. .. And those Brazilian thighs came into play again when a CAFU cross across the box was deflected and found the thigh of ADRIANO who just directed it in .. ..

GHA was just a bit too frantic – They need to hold the ball more and take their quality chances instead of pelting the photogs with errant shots .. .. Just a bit more quality in their attacking third will make them a HUGE threat – but, we’ve been saying that for decades, eh??

BRA MoM: #9 RONALDO looked a bit more mobile today and was able to put his 1-v-1 talent on full display on his early breakaway that tipped the BRA scales .. .. Set free down the middle after a perfect ball from KAKA, went right at the GK, cut the ball away from KINGSON and then tapped his right-footer inside/out into the middle of the net .. .. And, he didn’t pass out in the second half!!

GHA MoM: #22 RICHARD KINGSON did well despite the final score .. .. Nothing he could do about RONALDO’s first goal, but the final two were a bit unlucky and solely on his defense .. .. Was brave early on and not afraid to challenge BRA players when they came at him .. .. Had a few nice diving saves, too .. ..

=====================================================================

Match 56: SPAIN v. FRANCE

Booking: CRAP?

A typical, tactical European battle where neither side wanted to give up an early goal and decided to build up slowly and not give the ball away .. .. But, FRA did their best to give it away, turning the ball over 13 times under no pressure .. .. Since ESP didn’t want the match in the second half, FRA decided to take it .. ..

ESP looked better early and a deserved PK early, but their reliance on the off-side trap led to RIBERY’s goal which gave FRA a look into the match .. .. Then, it was ESP who gave the ball away in the second half and there went the match .. .. That is what chokers do, eh??

ESP MoM: None

FRA MoM: #4 PATRICK VIEIRA was again the offensive threat for FRA, setting up both of FRA’s first two scores .. .. Assisted on the first goal when in the middle of the pitch, realized both of ESP’s centre-backs were stepping up and HENRY was offside, so he delivered a subtle pass to right unto a storming RIBERY who rounded the GK and slotted home .. .. Scored a veterans goal when off a deflected CK, he went to the far post and headed in the carom through a defender and CASILLAS .. .. Does what winners do .. ..