Fifa World Cup 2006 -Buletin Box-

[IbLIsH]

ANGOLA 0-1 PORTUGAL

Portugal's Pauleta, left, celebrates with his teammate Tiago after Pauleta scored the opening goal during the Group D match between Angola and Portugal at the soccer World Cup 2006 at World Cup Stadium in Cologne, Germany, Sunday, June 11, 2006.



Pauleta's fourth-minute goal proved enough for Portugal to overcome the challenge of Angola in the Africans' first ever FIFA World Cupâ„¢ match in Cologne on Sunday, 11 June 2006.
Portugal's record goalscorer struck early to secure the three points for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, who now sit second in Group D after the first round of matches, behind Mexico on goal difference.

The match:
1': Portugal clearly meant business as they took the game straight to Angola, with Pauleta bursting though after only 15 seconds and firing a warning shot across the face of Joao Ricardo's area.

4': Angola's defensive frailties were exposed again and this time Pauleta did manage to punish them with the game's opening goal. Portugal captain Luis Figo took on Angola's Jamba and squared the ball for the Paris Saint-Germain striker to easily convert the early opportunity (1-0).

11': Mendonca tried a speculative shot from distance for Angola, but Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo comfortably dealt with it.

15': Pauleta again proved a handful for Angola as he latched onto a high ball over the top and hooked it past the onrushing Joao Ricardo but the attempt crept past the stranded keeper's right-hand post.

23': Portugal's Simao Sabrosa had a neat interchange with Cristiano Ronaldo before blazing a drive over the bar, though the Manchester United winger looked unhappy his colleague from Benfica had not played him back in again instead.





24': Mateus, a late call-up to the Angola squad, sprinted at the Portuguese back line and was unlucky not find the target with a decent right-footed shot.
25': Loco supplied a cross for Angolan skipper Akwa and he brought roars of approval from the crowd in Cologne after an overhead kick which went over the crossbar.

35': Figo's corner was met by Ronaldo with a bullet of a header which smacked against the crossbar. A let-off for Angola.

42': Mendonca teed up Andre and he forced Richardo into a great save, diving to his right to concede a corner after the Al Kuwait midfielder blasted a stinging drive on target.

44': In a similar incident at the other end, Miguel laid the ball off to Ronaldo, who brought the best out of Angola's Joao Ricardo from inside the area.

Lucky escape
50': Ronaldo's hopeful shot looped high into the air and Joao Ricardo was deceived by the descending ball as he completely missed his punch, but he was spared embarrassment as the referee pulled play up for an infringement.

58': Pauleta, so threatening early in the match, again went close as he curled one in but Joao Ricardo, the goalkeeper without a club side, managed to get fully behind it.

61': This time Pauleta tried to turn provider, laying the ball off to Lyon midfielder Tiago, but his shot – Portugal's seventh on target - lacked true conviction and Joao Ricardo, was again able to deal with it.

Angola's Akwa Speaks To Referee Jorge Larrionda Of Uruguay During Their Group D World Cup 2006 Soccer Match Against Portugal In Cologne


68': After a positive spell for Angola, who seemed to be growing in confidence, Loco was presented with a half-chance to equalise from the edge of the Portuguese penalty area, but after waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger, he lashed his shot well wide.
84': With the Portuguese fans growing restless in their wait for a second goal, Figo whipped in a free-kick from the right and though Simao's header was firm, he could not keep it down.

89': As Angola finished strongly, Mateus had a clear sight of the target but could not beat the grateful arms of Ricardo in Portugal's goal.

92+': Maniche was unlucky not get more than a corner from a fierce shot from distance as Joao Ricardo tipped his attempt over the crossbar.

In conclusion:
Like England and the Netherlands before them, Portugal – one of the teams tipped to excel at Germany 2006 – had to settle for a narrow victory where the points mattered more than the performance. Angola can take heart from a battling display, however, on their debut appearance on the world stage.

[IbLIsH]

AUSTRALIA 3-1 JAPAN

Substitute Tim Cahill was the hero for Australia as the Socceroos scored three times in eight minutes to beat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern and record both their first goals and their first ever win in FIFA World Cupâ„¢ finals history on Monday, 12 June 2006.
Trailing at half-time to Shunsuke Nakamura's 26th-minute goal, the opening Group F match turned on its head with the arrival of Cahill. He equalised with a close-range strike in the 84th minute and then fired a spectacular second in the 89th before striker John Aloisi put the icing on the cake two minutes into added time.

The match
6': Under a blazing sun, it was Australia captain Mark Viduka who had the first attempt on goal. Latching onto a lobbed pass, the striker shot first with his left foot and then followed up with his right but both efforts were parried by Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

14': As expected, Japan looked to build play more slowly with Guus Hiddink's side playing a more direct, energetic pressing game. After Takashi Fukunishi had hit a 30-yarder well over, the Socceroos proceeded to launch a barrage of crosses into the area testing Japan's defence to the full. From one, Marco Bresciano blasted over.

22': Japan were taking their time to settle but midway through the first half they almost took the lead. Turning past his marker on the edge of the box, Naohiro Takahara did not strike the ball as cleanly as he would have wished, however, and watched the effort trickle wide.

25': It was end-to-end stuff and Viduka produced a delightful back-heel into the path of Bresciano but the Brescia midfielder's side-footed finish from just inside the box lacked sufficient power and Kawaguchi got down well to save.

26': A minute later and Japan were in front with the softest of goals. Finding himself on the right wing, Nakamura chipped in a cross with his left foot that sailed over the advancing Mark Schwarzer and rolled into the empty net to the screams of the thousands of blue-clad fans in the arena. (0-1)

27': Almost from the restart, Harry Kewell, who had previously been kept fairly quiet, beat his man, tore goalwards and fired inches over with his left foot.
41': Australia were finding the going tough as the half wore on. Bresciano, who was finding more space than most, bent a low 30-yard free-kick into the side-netting.

Shutting up shop:
53' Hiddink sent on his leading scorer in qualifying as Cahill, who had been an injury doubt prior to the finals, took the field in the place of Bresciano.

55': Despite the Socceroos' efforts, Japan's defence continued to look safe as the Australians searched for an equaliser in the early stages of the second half. Conserving their energy better in the unrelenting heat, the Samurais were looking dangerous on the break with Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata finding plenty of space to weave their magic.

69': Kawaguchi, who had been well protected, pulled off a terrific save to keep his side ahead. After substitute Joshua Kennedy had been brought down on the edge of the box, Viduka threw his whole weight behind the resulting free-kick but the Japanese goalkeeper dived to his right to turn away the powerful effort.

76': With the game opening up, Takahara won possession just inside the Australian half and bore down on goal. The Hamburg striker delayed his pass to the unmarked Atushi Yanagisawa, however, and the final shot fell tamely into the hands of Schwarzer.

78': Two minutes later and Yuichi Komano found himself in acres of space on the right but again his cross failed to pick out any one of the three players in the box.

84': Substitute Aloisi forced another fine save out of Kawaguchi with a scorching 30-yard free-kick.

85': From the resulting corner, the goalkeeper was left punching thin air as he ventured outside his six-yard box and in the ensuing scramble Cahill bundled in the equaliser. (1-1)
87': With huge gaps opening up all over the park, Fukunishi fired just wide from 20 yards.

89': Cahill, from a similar position at the other end, made no mistake, crashing his 20-yarder off one post and into the opposite corner of the net to give Australia the lead with his second goal. (2-1)

90 +2':In the dying seconds, another substitute Aloisi left victory in no doubt, driving through the heart of Japan's defence and, with his favoured left foot, firing in the third. (3-1)

In conclusion:
Australia showed all their fighting qualities to come back in a game in which they looked dead and buried with substitutes Cahill and Aloisi the heroes. Japan, who controlled the match for long periods, will be disappointed not to have added a second after squandering a number of presentable opportunities.

[IbLIsH]

USA 0-3 CZECH REPUBLIC






The Czech Republic started their Germany 2006 campaign in style with a 3-0 win over the USA in Gelsenkirchen on Monday, 12 June 2006.
Jan Koller gave the Czechs a dream start in the opening match in Group E by heading them in front after five minutes and Tomas Rosicky doubled their advantage with a superb swerving strike nine minutes before the break.

Despite the setback of losing Koller to a hamstring injury, Karel Bruckner's men retained their grip on the game and Rosicky sealed the three points with his second goal on 76 minutes.

The match:
5': The Czechs got off to the best possible start when a right-wing cross from Zdenek Grygera found Koller, who slammed a powerful header past goalkeeper Kasey Keller to give his team an early lead. 0-1

11': After a shaky start, the US produced their first period of pressure, beginning with a header from Eddie Pope which went wide.

28': Some fine possession finally produced a dangerous opportunity for the US when Bobby Convey squared a ball for Claudio Reyna. He shot from just outside the penalty area and his low drive hit the left post.

36':With the Americans threatening an equaliser, the Czechs found another moment of brilliance, as a headed clearance fell to Rosicky, whose wonder strike from 25 metres flew past Kasey Keller in the US goal. Two shots, two goals for the Czechs. 0-2

42':Just minutes later and a serious blow for the Czechs as Koller went down in obvious pain with an apparent hamstring injury and had to be replaced.

Rosicky seals it
46':The US started the second half with a double switch, Pablo Mastroeni and Steve Cherundolo coming off in favour of John O'Brien and Eddie Johnson.

51'espite the changes, the Czechs were the ones who fired the opening salvo of the half, with Tomas Ujfalusi's glancing header missing at the far post.

62':Eleven minutes later, the Czech Republic gave another notice that more goals might be in the offing when Karel Poborsky's powerful volley from a left-wing cross flew wide of the near post.

68': Rosicky almost had his second with another shot from 25 metres, this one hitting the crossbar.

70':Minutes later at the other end, Johnson tried to answer with an attempt from a similar distance, but his bending shot went wide of the left post.

76': Shortly after Johnson had narrowly failed to connect in front of Petr Cech's goal, Rosicky sealed the Americans' fate when he broke free down the centre and beat Keller again. 0-3

81': Johnson continued to look dangerous for the US, firing in one shot that went just over the bar, but overall the Americans failed to force the Czech goalkeeper into a single difficult save.

In conclusion:
The US team displayed several nice combinations in midfield throughout the match, but they struggled to translate them into clear scoring opportunities. Czech Republic, meanwhile, did not create a host of chances but they had the quality to capatilise on the ones they did make for themselves. Things will not get easier for the States, as they will face Italy next in another difficult Group E clash, while the Czechs will play Ghana.

[IbLIsH]

ITALY 2-0 GHANA



Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo reacts after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2006 group E football match Italy vs Ghana, 12 June 2006 at Hannover stadium.



Italy defeated African first-timers Ghana 2-0 in an exciting Group E fixture in Hanover on Monday, 12 June 2006.
A Ghana team making their FIFA World Cupâ„¢ debut contributed richly to the spectacle but Italy's greater know-how told as they won through goals from Andrea Pirlo and substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta.

After both sides had missed a succession of chances, Pirlo broke the deadlock with a shot through a crowded penalty area after 40 minutes. Iaquinta sealed the win after latching onto Samuel Kuffour's underhit back-pass with seven minutes remaining.

The match:
8': Italy rattled Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingston with an early series of crosses and corners, culminating in defender Fabio Cannavaro heading the ball over the crossbar.

11': Ghana captain Stephen Appiah had a free-kick on the edge of the box in a promising position, but he struck it straight into Italy's wall. The Italians immediately launched a counterattack and when Luca Toni missed from point-blank range, the ball broke to Alberto Gilardino. He managed to squirm a shot through Kingston's legs but it trickled towards goal and hit the post before going out for another corner.

16': Francesco Totti, back in the Italy side after recovering from a broken leg, was almost unrecognisable with his new close-cropped haircut and there was an unfamiliar look to his first proper shot as it missed the target by some distance.

18': Italy's Alessandro Nesta had to climb high to flick the ball away from Borussia Dortmund striker Matthew Amoah, who would have had a free header on goal if Michael Essien's cross had managed to reach him.

27': Toni smacked a thundering shot against Ghana's crossbar and John Mensah chested the rebound back to Kingston to relieve the pressure.

30': Essien charged towards the Italy penalty area and launched a powerful strike which just missed Gianluigi Buffon’s right-hand post, matching a similar effort by Asamoah Gyan moments earlier from the opposite flank.

33': Totti found his range from 25 metres with a free-kick that stung Kingston's fingertips before it went over. Not for the first time, the Ghana keeper came out to meet the resulting corner and missed it, but Cannavaro's header landed on the top of the net.

40': Italy's tenth corner was played short to Pirlo who sent a scorching shot through a crowd of bodies to finally beat Kingston right in the corner (1-0).
45': Kingston did well to block a goalbound effort by Fabio Grosso.

Kingston clearance
53': Kingston had to rush out of his area to deny Toni and the Ankaraspor goalkeeper lifted the ball over his head and allowed John Pantsil to bring it to safety.

54': Ghana’s Essien brought the best out of Buffon, who had to dive at full stretch to his right to beat away a forceful drive from 20 metres out by the Chelsea midfielder.

64': With Italy less dominant than in the first half and the passionate Ghanaian contingent in full voice, Essien threatened again but this time he dragged his effort well wide after bursting forward.

67': As play flowed freely from end to end, Simone Perrotta tested Kingston with a shot from inside the area. Kingston will have gained great confidence from a strong save which denied the Roma midfielder, who appeared set to extend Italy’s lead.

79': Gyan had the Italian defence in knots with a twisting, turning run just outside the area. As he tried to move into the box, the Modena striker tumbled over the legs of two defenders but Brazilian referee Carlos Simon waved play on.

83': A mistake by the last defender Kuffour gifted Italy their second goal as he sold his goalkeeper short with a back-pass and substitute Iaquinta was only too grateful to latch onto it and round Kingston before sliding the ball into an empty net (2-0).
In conclusion:
Italy got the better of Ghana in another entertaining, free-flowing contest, but the Africans acquitted themselves extremely well in their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup and a second-half equaliser always looked possible until Iaquinta finished them off.

[IbLIsH]

KOREA REPUBLIC 2-1 TOGO

Ahn Jung-Hwan turned back the clock four years with a spectacular winning goal as Korea Republic came from behind for a 2-1 victory over ten-man Togo in their opening Group G match in Frankfurt on Tuesday, 13 June 2006.
Surprise semi-finalists in 2002, the South Koreans looked like they might suffer a taste of their own medicine when Togo, on their FIFA World Cup debut, took a 31st-minute lead through Mohamed Kader.

But after Jean-Paul Abalo's 53rd-minute dismissal, Lee Chun-Soo swept home the ensuing free-kick 60 seconds later before Ahn revived memories of his extra-time winner against Italy in 2002 with Korea Republic's second goal 18 minutes from time.

5' With not a single win for Africa or Asia so far in the competition, the game opened with each side tentatively testing the other's defences.

11': Korea Republic emerged as the more eager to throw numbers into attack but it was Togo who had the first chance, Kader running onto a high ball and almost forcing Lee Woon-Jae into action with a rising shot from the corner of the box.

31': The Taeguk Warriors' dogged determination was pushing Otto Pfister's team more and more onto the back foot. But they were made to pay for their inability to create a goalscoring opportunity when Togo conjured a goal out of nothing. The predatory Kader took down a difficult high ball on his thigh and, without thinking twice, fired a low shot across Lee Woon-Jae and in off the post. (0-1)

36': Korea Republic threw everything into attack but found their aim less true. First Park Ji-Sung volleyed high and wide after a dangerous corner fell at his feet. Then, two minutes later, striker Cho Jae-Jin moved the ball onto his more favoured left foot but failed to trouble Kossi Agassa with an angled drive from outside the box.
40': With the Red Devils supporters becoming more excited, Lee Eul-Yong's 25-yarder was easily saved.

42': The Africans were more effective and only a flying tip-over from Lee Woon-Jae prevented Yao Junior Sanaya from doubling the lead with a curling free-kick.

Red card for Abalo
47': Two minutes after the restart, Park bought some space just outside the box but again his final shot rose high over the bar.

48': Needing the merest sight of goal, Kader dropped his shoulder, pushed the ball onto his trusty right foot and called Lee into diving action again with a powerfully struck 20-yard effort.

53': The Sparrowhawks were looking comfortable but the game was turned on its head in a single action. Showing a lightning turn of speed, Park burst through the heart of the Africans' defence before being brought down by Abalo. The Togo skipper was shown his second yellow card and marched off.

54': Lee Chun-Soo stepped up and sent the free-kick over the wall with enough top spin to stay low and find the corner of the net to equalise. (1-1)
63': Quiet up until then, Emmanuel Adebayor, Africa's top scorer in the qualifiers, came briefly into the match just after the hour mark. The Arsenal forward's right-wing cross fell to Senaya who could not keep his well-struck shot down.

65': Senaya, who had skipped past three men on the halfway line, then played a fine one-two with Adebayor before trying an audacious chip that easily cleared the bar.

72': Korea Republic's forays forward always looked the more measured, however, and they grabbed the lead for the first time in the match. Ahn, on as a second-half substitute, was given time and space on the edge of the box to look up and send a dipping shot past Agassa. (1-2)

75': Ahn darted into the box but this time his left-foot strike was blocked by the feet of Agassa.

81': A man down, Togo threw caution to the wind in a desperate search for the equaliser. Kader again tried his luck, this time with a 25-yarder, but he failed to test Lee Woon-Jae as the ball sailed over.

In conclusion:
Korea Republic chalk up their first-ever FIFA World Cup win outside of Asia with a spirited second-half fightback. Credit to first-timers Togo, though, for putting their pre-finals problems behind them to push the Koreans all the way.

[IbLIsH]

FRANCE 0-0 SWITZERLAND

There was once again no separating France and Switzerland as they played out a goalless draw in their opening 2006 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ match in Stuttgart on Tuesday, 13 June 2006.
The Group G rivals drew both their meetings in the European qualifying round and recent history repeated itself here in a match of few clear-cut scoring opportunities. The closest either side came was when Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta's free-kick bounced back off a post and Alexander Frei failed to convert the rebound.

The Stuttgart stalemate leaves the European neighbours two points beneath the early group leaders Korea Republic, 2-1 winners over Togo earlier in the day. It also leaves France without a FIFA World Cup goal in the four finals matches they have contested since winning the Trophy in 1998.

The match:
5': France made the brighter start and Sylvain Wiltord of Lyon – preferred to Juventus forward David Trezeguet – crossed dangerously from the right for his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry. However, Henry failed to rise high enough to make a firm connection with his header.

13': Another fine bit of service from the right nearly saw the French prise open the Swiss backdoor, but Patrick Vieira's full volley at the back post lacked the proper direction and bounced harmlessly over the bar.

21': Henry tried his best to turn provider in the next French move of note. Weaving his way into the penalty area, his tantalising low cross was not read by the advancing Wiltord and slipped tamely across Pascal Zuberbuehler's goalmouth.

24': The Swiss nearly scored with their first chance of any consequence as Barnetta's long-range free-kick evaded every head in a packed area and struck Fabien Barthez's far post. Although Frei was on hand for the rebound, he could not make a clean contact with the ball from six yards out.

30': A brilliant bit of approach work from Henry set up Marseille man Franck Ribery, but French debutant could only fire over Zuberbuehler's crossbar from just outside the box.




38': France saw their best chance of the first half go begging as Ribery beat his man down the right and laid the ball across to Henry. However, his shot on goal took a deflection en route to Zuberbuehler, amid French protests for handball.
Goals hard to come by
60': After a slow, cautious start to the second period, the Swiss had the first real chance since the break as the ever-lively Barnetta burst into the box from the left, only to have his progress halted by the hulking figure of Lyon's Eric Abidal.

65': Shortly after, Switzerland nearly opened their account with their best chance of the game. Ludovic Magnin crossed to second-half substitute Daniel Gygax who saw his powerful, close-range header scrambled away by a sprawling Barthez.

69': In an attempt to inject some spark into the French attack on a warm evening, France boss Raymond Domenech withdrew Ribery in favour of in-form Manchester United striker Louis Saha.

73': Zinedine Zidane's looping free-kick picked out Henry at the back post but although William Gallas was just a whisker away from meeting the striker's flick-on, the linesman's flag had already indicated an offside decision.

89': With the clock ticking down, France substitute, Vikash Dhorasoo, nearly struck a late winner with a vicious shot from a tight angle. Unfortunately for Les Bleus his effort slipped agonisingly wide of the back post.

In conclusion:
With a point apiece, both sides will be reasonably pleased even if Korea Republic, for the time being at least, sit top of the group. It is the Koreans who are up next for France on 18 June while Switzerland - who have kept their first clean sheet in 23 FIFA World Cup matches - will tangle with Togo the day after.

[IbLIsH]

BRAZIL 1-0 CROATIA

Brazil defeated European challengers Croatia 1-0 in an enthralling Group F encounter in Berlin on Tuesday, 13 June 2006.

The current holders of the FIFA World Cupâ„¢ Trophy and their legions of colourful fans provided entertainment both on and off the pitch but they were made to work hard for their victory by a well-organised Croatia side.

After both sides enjoyed a series of half-chances, the goal which proved to be decisive was of the highest order. A minute before the interval, AC Milan midfielder Kaka curled a left-footed shot past Stipe Pletikosa and into the top left-hand corner of the net.

The win gave Brazil their eighth consecutive success in FIFA World Cup™ matches, a new record, and how fitting that it was delivered by the wearer of the Seleção's No.8 shirt.

The match:
1' The Olympic Stadium in Berlin has seen some momentous occasions and again the atmosphere crackled as the world champions took centre stage.

3': Ronaldinho danced his way through three challenges and linked up with Adriano, Ze Roberto and Roberto Carlos but a strong Croatian rearguard refused to be dazed and stood firm.

14': The trademark patient, mesmerising ball play from Brazil was not making a mark on the Croatians, until Roberto Carlos unleashed a drive from distance which forced Stipe Pletikosa into his first save, the goalkeeper palming the ball over the bar.

15': Another save from Pletikosa came a minute later as he dived full length to his left to tip away a low shot from Ronaldinho.

21': Croatia were not in the game just to make up the numbers and captain Niko Kovac thought he had found a way through only to be denied by a timely challenge from Lucio. Less than a minute later Niko Kranjcar found space to shoot, but dragged his effort wide from some 20 metres.

27': Back they came and a low strike from Kranjcar was deflected off Lucio for a corner.

38': Some minutes after Ronaldinho had fired a free-kick into the wall, a dead-ball opportunity at the other end almost brought the opening goal, but Igor Tudor was inches short of making contact with Darijo Srna's delivery.
43': The opening goal was worth the wait as Kaka steadied himself just outside the Croatian penalty area and placed an unstoppable shot out of the reach of Pletikosa. (1-0)

50': There was an early scare for Brazil in the second half as Dado Prso burst clear on the left-hand side of the penalty area and shot for goal but Dida blocked and Roberto Carlos tidied up.

53': Dida was back in action quickly, going down well to a sharp snapshot from the edge of the box from Ivan Klasnic.

56': Ronaldo was having a quiet night but served a reminder of his threat as he sent a shot narrowly over. That effort was by and large against the run of play as Croatia, despite having lost captain Niko Kovac to injury just before the break, continued to push forward.

62': Brazil displayed their ability to turn a game in a flash as from a Kaka cross Ronaldinho missed a great chance to add a second, Pletikosa producing smart save to parry his close-range header.

68': Twice in as many minutes Croatia almost drew level. With Croatia finding gaps in Brazil's defence, Dida saved from Klasnic soon after Prso had seen a close-range effort turned behind for a corner.

74': In what was becoming a very open game, Kaka whistled a shot low through a crowded box and just wide.
88': With Croatia's supporters providing a cacophony of noise in the closing stages, they nearly had even more to shout about as Prso crossed for Kranjcar, but the Hadjuk Split midfielder seemed to lack conviction as he headed over the crossbar.

In conclusion:
A winning start for the Seleção, but they were made to fight every inch of the way by a spirited Croatian side who ensured that while Brazil functioned smoothly in parts, they were unable to relax until the final whistle.

[IbLIsH]

SPAIN 4-0 UKRAINE

Spain's Fernando Torres (9) celebrates after scoring in the second half during the Spain v Ukraine Group H World Cup soccer match at the Central Stadium, Leipzig, Germany, Wednesday, June 14, 2006.


Spain made a dream start to their 2006 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ campaign with a 4-0 victory over Group H rivals Ukraine in Leipzig on Wednesday, 14 June 2006.
Having waited as long as any team to get their campaign under way, Spain raced out of the starting blocks and were two goals in front inside 17 minutes as Xabi Alonso headed a 13th-minute opener before David Villa doubled the advantage.

If Ukraine thought things could not get any worse they were wrong as they lost Vladyslav Vashchuk to a red card just two minutes into the second half after conceding a penalty for a challenge on Fernando Torres. Villa tucked away the spot-kick and Torres completed the scoring with a spectacular half-volley with nine minutes remaining.


The match:
3': Spain sprang to life with a quick move down their right. Fernando Torres did well to ride one challenge and set up Xavi but the Barcelona midfielder pulled a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

4': A half-chance fell the way of Ukraine as Vladimir Yezerskyi stretched to get his head to a cross on the edge of the six-yard box but the ball went over the crossbar.

13': The opening goal arrived and it came from the head of Xabi Alonso. A left-wing corner was perfectly delivered to the edge of the six-yard box and the Liverpool man glanced a fine header through a crowd. Oleksandr Shovkovskyi got a hand to the ball, but could only help it in. (1-0)

17': It got better for Spain just four minutes later after they were awarded a free-kick within shooting distance of the Ukraine goal. David Villa curled a shot over the wall and the ball was deflected off the head of Andriy Rusol and into the back of the net. (2-0)

26': Spain were now looking in complete control and playing some very attractive football as the game continued at a fast pace. Torres and Luis Garcia linked well to set up another chance but Ukraine stood firm.

32': Ukraine forced a rare opportunity when Andriy Gusin was picked out on the edge of the penalty area but he was off balance when shooting and the chance went begging.

43': Spain created a great chance to add a third when Villa was sent through, but his low shot hit the legs of Shovkovskyi.

46': Ukraine were the first European team to qualify for this FIFA World Cup and they started the second half determined to put on a better show as Andriy Voronin attacked down the right and launched an early shot at goal.
47': After breaking into the penalty area, Torres was brought down by Vashchuk and referee Massimo Busacca pointed to the penalty spot before showing the Dynamo Kiev defender the red card.

48': Shovkovskyi got a hand to the ball but could not stop Villa's strike going into the net. (3-0)

55': Down to ten men and three goals behind, Ukraine could have done without the sight of Spain's all-time leading scorer Raul being introduced in place of Villa.

61': Ukraine broke forward in search of a consolation goal and Voronin volleyed the ball inches wide of Iker Casillas' right-hand post.

72': Another chance to reduce the deficit fell the way of Ukraine when record goalscorer Serhiy Rebrov struck the ball over the bar when well placed in front of goal.

81': Spain showed how it should be done with a goal of rich quality as Carlos Puyol took control midway inside the Ukraine half and worked the ball in to Torres who struck a low first-time shot beyond Shovkovskyi from ten yards. (4-0)

88': There was almost a fifth for Spain in the closing stages as substitute David Albelda struck a low shot from the edge of the penalty area which brought a flying save away to his left from Shovkovskyi.

In conclusion:
For just the second time since 1950, 12-times finalists Spain opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a win. This was a comprehensive and impressive victory against first-timers Ukraine and should fill Luis Aragones's side with confidence. Ukraine's defeat means not one of the teams competing in the FIFA World Cup for the first time has yet managed a win.

[IbLIsH]

TUNISIA 2-2 SAUDI ARABIA

An injury-time header from Radhi Jaidi rescued a point for Tunisia as they drew 2-2 with Group H rivals Saudi Arabia in Munich on Wednesday, 14 June 2006.
Jaidi struck two minutes into added time just as Saudi Arabia were contemplating a fine comeback victory. Trailing to Zied Jaziri's 23rd-minute goal, the Saudis drew level through Yasser Al Kahtani's fine near-post finish in the 57th minute and then thought they had taken all three points with substitute Sami Al Jaber completed a sweeping move with a cool finish six minutes from time.

The match
3': The final game of the first round of matches, Tunisia launched their third consecutive FIFA World Cupâ„¢ campaign on the offensive with Jaziri tearing into the box before falling under the challenge of Redha Tukar.

23': After a nervous start, Saudi Arabia appeared to settle, winning a number of corners, but they were caught out following a set-piece at the other end. Tukar headed an innocuous free-kick against the head of a team-mate and Jaziri latched onto the bouncing ball, leaping off the ground to strike an unstoppable volley high into the net. (1-0)

34': Saudi Arabia, who lost 8-0 to Germany in their opening match at Korea/Japan 2002, offered their first hint of a reply when Yasser Al Kahtani almost took advantage of confusion at the back between Jaidi and Hatem Trabelsi. However, he could not quite get enough power on his header from eight yards.

37': Tukar, already heavily involved in the match, clipped a centrally positioned free-kick from 25 yards safely into the hands of Ali Boumnijel.

45': Nawaf Al Temyat tried his luck from even further out after good work from Mohammed Noor but the effort flew well wide of target as the Tunisian defence continued to look comfortable before the break.

Tables turned
47': Karim Haggui's concentration was found wanting at the start of the second half but although the predatory Noor latched onto the defender's mistake, he misjudged his flicked finish and the ball trickled well wide of goal.

57': As the Sons of the Desert continued to press, midfielder Noor turned provider, finding space down the right and drilling a fine centre for Al Kahtani to side-foot home at the near post for a well-worked equaliser. (1-1)

67': Saudi Arabia were now well on top and stroking the ball confidently around. After more fine approach play, skipper Hussein Sulimani tested Boumnijel with a snapshot from outside the box but the Club Africain goalkeeper was equal to it.

84': The Saudis broke swiftly from defence with a series of first-time passes. Malek Al Hawsawi fed Al Jaber and, with virtually his first touch, Saudi Arabia's most famous player drew Boumnijel before slotting the ball home with his left foot.

88': Tunisia threw everything into attack. Kaies Ghodhbane fired inches over from distance but with Saudi fans beginning to celebrate there remained one final twist in this remarkable game.

90+2': Jaidi, now playing as a centre-forward, nodded the ball onto Jaziri, who crossed perfectly for the giant Bolton Wanderers defender to thunder a close-range header under the forlorn body of Mabrouk Zaid to make it 2-2.

In conclusion:
A point a piece for Tunisia and Saudi Arabia after an exciting encounter which both sides will argue they should have won. Spain's 4-0 victory over Ukraine earlier means both teams will fancy their chances of making the second round.

[IbLIsH]

GERMANY 1-0 POLAND







A last-gasp goal from substitute Oliver Neuville gave Germany their second successive Group A victory against Poland in Dortmund on Wednesday, 14 June 2006.
Germany, who had been frustrated for the vast majority of the match through a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Artur Boruc, were grateful when the Borussia Monchengladbach man side-footed home in the first minute of added time.

The result does not guarantee the hosts qualification for the Round of 16, but it leaves them with one foot in the knockout stages.

The match:
2': Amid incredible noise and a fabulous atmosphere in Dortmund, Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc came under early, but unfair pressure, from Miroslav Klose and referee Luis Medina Cantalejo blew for a free-kick close to the goal-line.

9': Poland striker Maciej Zurawski got a low shot on target, but it lacked power and Jens Lehmann dived on it with ease.

10': Klose broke free in the box and tested Boruc with his left foot, though the Pole dealt with it superbly.

20': The sizeable Polish contingent in the stadium roared with excitement as Ireneusz Jelen appeared to have found space to shoot on the edge of the German penalty area, but last defender Per Mertesacker did just enough to put him off his stride.

21': Philip Lahm’s left-footed cross was met by Klose with a flicked header and the ball passed agonisingly close to Boruc's post, but just wide.

27': Jelen raced down the left flank and cut inside before sending a weak shot into the grateful arms of Lehmann, with disappointed Polish team-mates in good positions in support on the right.

30': Germany skipper Michael Ballack, returning to the side after missing the Opening Match for the hosts, tried a shot at Boruc which deflected wide after skidding all along the turf.

36': Lahm released the Polish-born Lukas Podolski with a chipped pass and he turned past Poland skipper Jacek Bak in a flash but his snapshot was straight at Boruc.
41': Bernd Schneider fed Podolksi inside the penalty area and, with his back to goal, he teed up Bastian Schweinsteiger to shoot, but the Bayern Munich midfielder blazed over the top.

Crowd get restless
57': The home fans began to show their anxiety as the opener just would not come for Germany. They whistled with fury as Boruc took his time with a goal-kick and when the ball eventually made its way to the other end of the field, Jelen struck a firm shot into Lehmann's stomach.

64': Boruc had to be alert after a Torsten Frings free-kick was blocked by the wall and the ball broke to Klose, who blasted it at the Celtic goalkeeper, drawing a smart save.

66': Schweinsteiger's corner reached Mertesacker at the back post but he could not keep his header down and it passed harmlessly over the crossbar.

75': Radaslow Sobolewski brought down Klose near the touchline and he was sent off after being shown his second yellow card, leaving Poland to last the final 15 minutes with only ten men. Schneider's resulting free-kick cross evaded everyone and almost sneaked in.
80': Boruc kept Poland level with two fantastic stops within a minute of each other, first from Lahm and then to deny Germany substitute Neuville, who had seemed destined to break the deadlock from close to the penalty spot.

90': An amazing let-off for Poland as Germany twice hit the woodwork: Klose's header came back off the bar and Ballack blasted the rebound into exactly the same spot.

91': German supersub Neuville breaks Poland's hearts in stoppage time as he slid in to convert Odonkor's killer cross for a late winner to spark relief-charged celebrations in Dortmund and right across the host nation. (1-0)

In conclusion:
Germany left it as late as possible to claim the three points and Poland can count themselves unlucky after holding them at bay for so long as the result matched the score when the teams met in the 1974 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ semi-final.