Day 9

Portugal and Iran opened the day's games and much fancied Portugal were expected to win. And they did not disappoint any of the fans and completed a 2-0 win over the Iranians with Deco scoring a scorcher and Christiano Ronaldo adding in the second from the Penalty spot. Though Iran had their chances, Portugal were more or less in control over the game and finally emerged the winners. Having won their first game, they will now be looking at the other groups to see who they might face in the next stage.
Portugal 2-0 Iran
62-Deco(POR), 79-Ronaldo(POR)

The Czech Republic had romped home with a more than convincing win over the Americans and had easily hammered 3 goals in past Keller, but the Ghanaians were an entirely different story. With muscle power and really good passing play they caused the first upset of this World Cup by defeating the Czechs by 2 goals to none. Hardly had the Ref started the game, and before the Czech's could realise what was happening, Gyan sent the ball crashing into the back of the net to give Ghana a fantastic start to the game. As the game progressed, there were no signs of the same Czech team which had commanded the game against the Americans but looked like a team lost on the field of play. This win throws the Group wide open, which was considered by some to be the 'Group of Death', and looks like this will go down to the wire to see which two teams make it through to the next round.
Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana
1-Gyan(GHA), 81-Muntari(GHA)

This game had the most drama in the World Cup so far. Red cards galore and disallowed goals were the name of the game at Kaiserslautern. The Italians took on the Americans knowing that a win would put then in a commanding position. A 22nd minute diving header by Gilarindo puts the Italians in the lead and the Americans seem to be resigned for another loss. Italy were dominating and looked set to take the game away from the United States. But no one would have predicted what followed! Five minutes later, Christian Zaccardo's attempted clearance ended up in the back of the net to give the US hope and the will to put on a fight. Within a few minutes, more drama ensured, as De Rossi made a sickening, needless elbow into McBride's face and got a deserved red card. You don't elbow your opponent hard and try to walk away with just a warning! Off goes Rossi to bring on more trouble to Italy. The game had all the ingredients of a battle and the Americans had the hope of getting maximum points now, and started to attack more and more. The game seemed to sway from side to side by the minute but trouble for the Americans as Mastroeni's two footed lunge gave him the marching orders. In my opinion this was a yellow card and not a red. But the man in the middle had other opinions. If that was a dubious decision, the what followed a couple of minutes later was even more astounding. Pope slid in on Gilardino and was show the red card as well. Will there be enough players to end the game in a good way?? Lotta people had their doubts and even some of the Italian players were not happy with the decision. What promised to be an entertaining encounter was turning out to be a desperate strive to stay on the field longer and 10 men Italy were trying to get the winner against 9 men USA! Did they game have anything else in the offing? The Italians pressed forward in search of the winner and Del Piero's shot was saved brilliantly by Keller - the American Custodian. Was it not for Keller's super saves, the Italians would have most probably walked away with the win. The Italian's three pronged attack of Iaquinta, Gilardino and Del Piero failed to send the ball past Keller and the game ended in a 1-1 draw and no more red cards - thankfully! This draw coupled with Ghana's win over the Czech earlier, puts this Group in a tight spot, where all four teams have the probability of making it through. Go on Azzurri...Forza Italia!!!
Italy 1-1 USA
22-Gilardino(ITA), 27-Zaccardo og(ITA)