June 18: The Daily World Cup Wrap
France are in a spot of bother after their second consecutive draw, though Korea are sitting pretty and may confound the critics who said they couldn’t perform away from Asia. Whiff of controversy about their 1-1 draw, and having seen it again I’m convinced the ball was over the line. Even so, France didn’t do much to impress. Likewise Brazil failed to produce anything for the next Joga Bonito commercial, but did secure qualification with a fortunate 2-0 win over Australia. Carlos Alberto Parreira is a smart man and will know that three points and a place in the last 16 are more valuable than tricks in an airport.
Daily Wrap Awards:
Top Man: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. Great penalty save.
Top Team: Korea. Good effort.
Top Goal: Adriano’s for Brazil.
Bit of Skill: Ronaldinho’s behind the back no look pass down the line.
Saw That Coming: Australia putting up a brave fight, but losing to Brazil. Inevitable
But Not That: Zidane getting booked. Why ref?
Japan vs Croatia | LiveBlog | Japan World Cup Gear, Croatia World Cup Gear
Japan 0
Croatia 0
Not the worst game you’ll ever see, despite the lack of goals. Lots of attacking play and aggressive passing moves from both sides, but a case of wobbly knees in front of goal. Dario Srna lived up to his “Beckham of the Balkans” tag by failing to convert a 22nd minute penalty. He struck it low and to the right but Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi guessed right and saved.
Coaches son Niko Kranjčar also hit the bar for Croatia in the 28th minute. He turned smartly with his first touch and unleashed a shot from distance. He’s still young and looks a class act. Kawaguchi was nearly embarrassed in the 33rd minute when a backpass took an unexpected bobble, and jumped over his foot. Luckily for him it bounced wide and not between the posts. Atsushi Yanagisawa missed the easiest chance to score, receiving a square pass unmarked in the six yard box, his nervous attempt sent the ball back towards where it came from. Japan might come to regret that.
Both these teams now have just one point from two games but could still progress. Japan just need to beat Brazil, while Croatia need to beat the team they call Croatia II.
Video highlights here.
Fan Photos: Croatian and Japanese fans…
- Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
- Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Japan or Croatia team pages.
- Buy World Cup tickets to Croatia and Japan’s next matches.
Australia vs Brazil | LiveBlog | Australia World Cup Gear, Brazil World Cup Gear
Australia 0
Brazil 2 (Adriano 48, Fred 90)
Once more Brazil never really caught fire, and Australia could feel hard done by. With 5 in midfield, the Aussies were organised and aggressive, without being too negative. But just after half time Ronaldo showed a bit of skill on the edge of the box and squared to Adriano who struck home. Probably Ronaldo’s only real contribution, and he still wasn’t what you’d call lively, but Parreira may feel justified given Ronaldo’s part in the goal.
Kewell, Bresciano and Viduka all came close but the magnificently monikered Fred sealed the deal in injury time, tapping home into an empty net after Robinho’s drive arrived at his feet via the post. Robinho had replaced Ronaldo, and added a bit of a spark to Brazil’s attack. If those two players were judged on the strength of individual performances, and not the strength (and marketability) of their names, Robinho would start the next game.
Not a great performance, but Brazil have secured qualification, and probably first place in Group F as well as extending their record of consecutive World Cup matches won to 9. Australia are still two points ahead of Croatia and Japan, and after this impressive performance you wouldn’t bet against them scraping through. The Australia vs Croatia should be a corker.
Video highlights here
Fan Photo: Brazil fan…
- Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
- Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Australia or Brazil team pages.
- Buy World Cup tickets to Australia and Brazil’s next matches.
France vs Korea | LiveBlog | France World Cup Gear, Korea World Cup Gear
France 1 (Henry 9)
Korea 1 (Park 81)
France’s World Cup goal drought (which stretched all the way back to the 1998 final) was ended in the 9th minute when Henry needed one touch to control the ball, another to finish. France thought they’d scored again in the 31st minute when Vieira’s seemed to be saved behind the line Korean keeper Lee. After seeing several replays I’m convinced it was, as Lee’s feet were behind the line and he’s leaning back slightly to make the save.
It wouldn’t have mattered, but France sat on their one goal lead, resulting in a dull game. Dull until the 81st minute anyway, when Cho Jae-Jin headed across goal and Park Ji Sung lifted the ball (somewhat accidentally maybe) over a flapping Fabien Barthez to score. Cue massive Korean celebrations in Leipzig.
The last ten minutes were end to end, proper exciting football. Zidane picked up a booking for a not particularly bad tackle on a Korean defender, and will now miss the game against Togo. Korea are doing OK with four points, France will be worried with two points from two draws. If France don’t qualify this will have been Zinedine Zidane’s final football match, and that would be a shame.
Visit our referee blog to see what our expert makes of the goal that wasn’t and expect the chip in the ball debate to make a return in the next 24 hours, especially in France.
Video highlights here.
Fan Photos: Korean and French fans…
- Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
- Want to discuss todays action? Go to the France or Korea team pages.
- Buy World Cup tickets to Korea and France’s next matches.
Have a look what today’s results have done to the group tables.
 |
Soccer Forums | International Results |  |
 |  Travel |
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share        |
Comments
By ANTE | June 19th, 2006 at 3:06 am 
this game didnt matter for croatia tie its good effot
japan out brazil in
croatia ebat auss 2-1
Posted from 
Canada
By Rory W. | June 19th, 2006 at 6:30 am Disappointment from Crotia 
, needed to WIN this
Good try AUS, sorry to see you lose to Brazil 
Good JOb, South Korea, France, I must say , things looking pretty dark for you, this days
My apologies Mr. Henry
Posted from 
Jamaica
By storm | June 19th, 2006 at 8:43 am Before the Bra-Aus game I thought Aus would lose 3 or 4 nil.
During the game I thought we could win. Aus dominated most areas of the pitch and ruined the Brazil flow. We couldn`t finish though, whereas they can. The score was flattering to Brazil.
Based on this I think we`ll beat Croatia, but crash out of the knockouts, as we don`t score enough.
Emerton was man of the match for Aus imho. Robhino was amazing…. looking forward to seeing him against Japan. Man of the match for Brazil was the defender who kept getting forward to midfiled and attack. Zedinho or something? Definitely a Z in there
Posted from 
Australia
By Nicolas | June 19th, 2006 at 10:55 am Hey so I’m French (so obviously I’m disappointed) but the winner today was Korea fans….they just never stop cheering…good for them….I would definitely like to see them progress with France.
Brasil still don’t look at their best…..
…I’m on the verge of changing my world cup winner prediction to Argentina or Netherlands (or Czech’s prior to Ghana loss)….point is Brasil don’t really look so special….their individual player still do and always will but there isn’t that cohesion you’d expect from a winning team…I think the winner is going to surprise everyone…it’ll be Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Germany or Italy or someone (not a big surprise but a surprise nonetheless).
Peace.
Posted from Australia
Comments are closed
