Impressive Czechs Beat Defiant US 3-0
June 12, 2006
High expectations were put on this game between the US team, fifth on the FIFA ranking, and the Czechs, who currently are ranked second in the world.
But it didn't take long for the crowd in Gelsenkirchen to realize that the FIFA ranking system mustn't be read as the truth.
While the Czechs did present themselves as a team to look out for in the later stages of the tournament, the Americans found it hard to convince anyone that they will reach the last 16 teams in a group where they still must play Italy and the African newcomer Ghana.
Americans will not give up hope
Giant striker Jan Koller, who opened the scoring, had headed in the first goal in the fifth minute. But his afternoon suffered a painful end when he was carried off injured on the stroke of half-time.
The new Arsenal-signing Rosicky was on target in the 36th and 76th minutes to end the scoring at a comfortable lead.
American skipper Claudio Reyna said the early strike had put his men on the backfoot.
"Their first goal put us back on our heels," he said. "We played well and hit the post but we then made some tactical changes which didn't work. We needed some width and couldn't get it."
Reyna said he is convinced that the team's young players need to use the experience of the match when they face mighty Italy on Saturday.
"They will be tough to beat but we have to bounce back and learn from this," he added. "Some of the guys in the team are new to the World Cup and they were a little nervous. Now we must look forward and see what we are made of. We will have to be aggressive and not hesitant."
Czechs storm on to first place in Group E?
Next for the Czechs will be Ghana on Saturday, the same day the US team faces Italy.
Monday's result puts a lot of pressure on the Americans, who will have to beat the Italians for any realistic chances of reaching the last sixteen.
The Czechs, strengthened by the comfortable and impressive victory, will do everything they can to win the group and avoid an early clash with the Brazilians.