INTERNATIONAL, SPORTS, WORLD CUP: Whoever Loses the Game, Please Go with Pride
By Li Shuting
World Cup 2006 fans should memorize June 18th. In the early morning of that day, dark horses changed the result that billions of people predicted. With Ghana beating the Czechs 2-0, and the later match between Italy and the United States ending in a draw, an unexpected situation was dramatically formed in Group E.
Ghana, the black horse, who was beaten 2-0 by Italy several days ago, rose to third place in the group. While the Czech Republic, a 3-0 winner over the United States, is facing the danger of stagnancy. In the span of only a few days, Italy lost its dominant position, and the promising future of the Czechs came in to doubt.
The following two matches, in which the final survivors will be born, are expected to be boiling hot. Compared with the match between Ghana and the United States, the one between Italy and the Czech Republic seems to attract more attention. "To win is the only choice for both Italian and Czechs. So the following match will be even fiercer than the final," said Nesta, the Italian central back.
Indeed, Buffon, Cannavaro and Nesta can build one of the solidest walls for the Italian defense, while top forwards, such as Totti, Pirlo, Toni and Gilardino, are sharp enough to challenge any firmly defended goal. It might be a pity that a red card causes De Rossi to lose his chance to participate, but it is said that Gattuso's recovery can totally fill this gap. Their only weakness is believed to be ball-passing failures in attack, which might offer the Czechs great chances to intercept.
However, the Czechs are in an awkward predicament. Baros and Koller are far from recovery, while two yellow cards have already provided a seat on the bench for Lokvenc. Ujfalusi, the skillful back who was expected to confront Italian forward Toni, will also be absent because of a red card. The question of who will replace these absent players will be a major problem.
Actually, the Czechs still have some advantages--they still possess two excellent midfield players, Nedved and Rosicky, and also their famous spirit of perseverance will be likely to give the Italians a hard time.
The pitch is full of suspension. Until the last minute, nobody can tell for sure what the result is going to be. Italians are calm and romantic; their elegant and precise style wins them general popularity. However, the Czechs are passionate and mysterious; their grittiness and determination also wins a lot of appreciation. Who is able to go further, "the prince of Rome" (Totti) or "Mozart on the football field" (Rosicky)?
It is a cruel pleasure to see two first rank teams in a life-and-death battle, but that is exactly where the attractive point is. "The real strong people are not afraid of failure. Only two teams can survive, and the next games are definitely games of farewell for someone. I hope whoever loses the game will go with pride," said Petr Cech, the Czechs' goalkeeper.
World Cup 2006 fans should memorize June 18th. In the early morning of that day, dark horses changed the result that billions of people predicted. With Ghana beating the Czechs 2-0, and the later match between Italy and the United States ending in a draw, an unexpected situation was dramatically formed in Group E.
Ghana, the black horse, who was beaten 2-0 by Italy several days ago, rose to third place in the group. While the Czech Republic, a 3-0 winner over the United States, is facing the danger of stagnancy. In the span of only a few days, Italy lost its dominant position, and the promising future of the Czechs came in to doubt.
The following two matches, in which the final survivors will be born, are expected to be boiling hot. Compared with the match between Ghana and the United States, the one between Italy and the Czech Republic seems to attract more attention. "To win is the only choice for both Italian and Czechs. So the following match will be even fiercer than the final," said Nesta, the Italian central back.
Indeed, Buffon, Cannavaro and Nesta can build one of the solidest walls for the Italian defense, while top forwards, such as Totti, Pirlo, Toni and Gilardino, are sharp enough to challenge any firmly defended goal. It might be a pity that a red card causes De Rossi to lose his chance to participate, but it is said that Gattuso's recovery can totally fill this gap. Their only weakness is believed to be ball-passing failures in attack, which might offer the Czechs great chances to intercept.
However, the Czechs are in an awkward predicament. Baros and Koller are far from recovery, while two yellow cards have already provided a seat on the bench for Lokvenc. Ujfalusi, the skillful back who was expected to confront Italian forward Toni, will also be absent because of a red card. The question of who will replace these absent players will be a major problem.
Actually, the Czechs still have some advantages--they still possess two excellent midfield players, Nedved and Rosicky, and also their famous spirit of perseverance will be likely to give the Italians a hard time.
The pitch is full of suspension. Until the last minute, nobody can tell for sure what the result is going to be. Italians are calm and romantic; their elegant and precise style wins them general popularity. However, the Czechs are passionate and mysterious; their grittiness and determination also wins a lot of appreciation. Who is able to go further, "the prince of Rome" (Totti) or "Mozart on the football field" (Rosicky)?
It is a cruel pleasure to see two first rank teams in a life-and-death battle, but that is exactly where the attractive point is. "The real strong people are not afraid of failure. Only two teams can survive, and the next games are definitely games of farewell for someone. I hope whoever loses the game will go with pride," said Petr Cech, the Czechs' goalkeeper.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home