Ghana got caught out

Italy 2 - Andrea Pirlo (40), Vincenzo Iaquinta (83)
Ghana 0

Footballing masters Italy showed new boys Ghana how it is done at the World Cup by winning their match 2-0 with goals from Andrea Pirlo in the 40th minute and Vincenzo Iaquinta in the 83th minute.

Ghana by no means looked overawed by the occasion and contributed evenly to this first-rate match. As for the Italians, they are now unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions and friendlies and look set to put on an impressive performance in the tournament.

Ghana can surely take the lessons learned today and hope to perform better in their next game against Czech Republic on June 17. However they will not find it easy going as well, especially with the form the Czech Republic players are in at present, particularly Tomas Rosicky.


Czech Republic 3 – Jan Koller (5), Tomas Rosicky (36) (76)
USA 0

In an earlier match in this same group, Rosicky gave a man of the match performance and two great goals in a 3-0 win over the USA. I must say that Czech Republic started their World Cup campaign in style. Their other goal was scored by Jan Koller.

Rosicky, a new signing for Arsenal, attributed his winning performance to his familiarity to the pitch as he had played in it during his time in the German league.

He scored two beautiful goals and linked very well with midfield supremo Pavel Nedved.


Australia 3 – Tim Cahill (84) (89), John Aloisi (90)
Japan 1 - Shunsuke Nakamura 26

In the day’s first game, there were heartbreaks for the Japanese players after losing to Australia by conceding three goals in the final eight minutes. Up until then, they were leading by a goal from Shunsuke Nakamura.

Substitute Tim Cahill was the hero for Australia by scoring twice with fellow striker John Aloisi scoring in the injury time.

The results were even sweeter for the Australians as they had finally managed to record both their first goals and their first ever win in the World Cup.