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Home|Germany 2006|Travel|Guide|Groups|Group E
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Germany World Cup 2006 Group E
GROUP E
*ItalyMarcello Lippi has a two-fold challenge over the next six months: cement his first-choice forward combination and find a dependable backup to Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro in defence. Lippi now seems set on playing 4-3-3 with two main strikers and a deep lying number 10 in support. But with such an abundance of striking talent, the rub is who misses out. Talismanic Roman Francesco Totti is assured of his place as the side's playmaker-in-chief with Alessandro Del Piero more often used from the bench in the last 12 months. And the forward line also fit to burst with quality. For Lippi, it's perm two from AC Milan duo Alberto Gilardino and Christian Vieri, plus Fiorentina's Luca Toni (who struck a hat-trick vs. Belarus in September) and Udinese's rising star Vincenzo Iaquinta. Oh, and then there's Antonio Cassano. Further back, Lippi knows Nesta and Cannavaro are as good as any central defensive partnership at the finals but the question is who he has in reserve. Marco Matterazzi is a regular and capable deputy but injury to either Nesta or Canna could severely knock the Azzuri's chances. Fixtures
Italy v Ghana 12 June; KO 21:00; Hannover CoachMarcello Lippi Record1950, 1954, 1962, 1966 1974 First Round; 1986 Second Round; 1998, 2002; Quarter Finals; 1978 Fourth place; 1990 Third place; 1970, 1994 Runners up; 1934, 1938, 1982 Champions. FIFA RankingMen to watchLuca Toni, Francesco Totti Predictions & Latest OddsPotential semi-finalists or better. How they qualifiedItaly finished at the top of European Group 5 five points clear of Norway. On the sidelines Coach Lippi took over from Giovanni Trappatoni after a disappointing
Euro 2004. AnalysisThe SquadGoalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Angelo Peruzzi
(Lazio), Marco Amelia (Livorno) 
GhanaGhana could be the team to really put the cat among the pigeons this summer. They have never before had a team at the World Cup Finals but their line-up possesses impressive midfield and defensive steel for such a prestigious occasion. Ghana have enjoyed considerable success at youth level in international football of late, winning the World Under-17 title on two occasions and finishing second at the World Youth Championship twice. Success hasn't been a stranger at senior level either and Ghana have lifted the African Nations Cup four times in their history, although the most recent was in 1982. Michael Essien is the name most fans will be familiar with. The former Lyon star signed for Chelsea for a record fee of 24.4 million pounds this summer after a protracted transfer wrangle and could be one of the stars of the tournament. Likewise, Sulley Ali Muntari who plays for Udinese attracted attention from Manchester United last summer but the Italians were unwilling to sell the highly rated midfielder. Having rejected the advances of the Old Trafford club, it remains to be seen what a summer on the World Cup platform will do for Muntari. Stephen Appiah, the Fenerbace midfielder, was bought by the Turkish side for 5.5 million pounds this summer from Juventus and, when all fully fit, Ghana have a formidable midfield to rival any that will be appearing in the competition. Fixtures
Ghana v Italy 12 June; KO 21:00; Hannover CoachRatomir Dujkovic RecordFirst appearance at the World Cup. Men to watchStephen Appiah, Michael Essien Probably the most talented of the African qualifiers, but lack
of strength in depth means they look destined not to get past this
difficult group stage. How they qualifiedGhana topped African Qualifying Group 2 ahead of South Africa and DR Congo. On the sidelines Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic lead Rwanda to the 2004 African
Nations Cup finals. AnalysisThe SquadGoalkeepers Sammy Adjei (Moadan Sport Ashdod), Richard Kingston
(Ankaraspor), George Owu (AshantiGold) 
USAThe US is no longer seen as an easy three points at the World Cup after a solid showing in 2002. Indeed, the Americans were close to being a top seed this time round but a poor 1998 performance meant that they were just edged out by Italy. Bruce Arena is still at the helm after steering the team to a quarter-final four years and will regard anything less than a place in the second round as a failure. To progress past the first stage, he will look to midfielders such as DaMarcus Beasley and Claudio Reyna to protect the back and chip in with a couple of goals. The defence without Brad Freidel, one of the heroes of 2002 but who has now hung up his international gloves, looks less solid than before and much will depend on how Fulham striker Brian McBride and Landon Donovan fare further up the pitch. Fixtures
USA v Czech Republic 12 June; KO 18:00; Gelsenkirchen CoachBruce Arena Record1934, 1950, 1998 First Round; 1994 Second Round; 2002 Quarterfinals, 1930 Semi Finals FIFA RankingMen to watchLandon Donovan, Freddy Adu (if selected) Predictions & Latest OddsAnother "Group of Death" and Italy and the Czech Republic should
squeeze through. How they qualifiedThe USA topped the Concacaf third qualifying stage ahead of Mexico On the sidelinesBruce Arena will be the longest serving coach at World Cup 2006. AnalysisThe SquadGoalkeepers Marcus Hahnemann (Reading), Tim Howard (Manchester
United), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach) 
The Czech RepublicEurope's leading nation - at least according to FIFA rankings - still has it all to prove on the world stage. Featuring a side littered with international class, the Czech Republic can be a dangerous opponent on their day but have showed a frustrating knack for inconsistency at crucial junctures. Coach Karel Bruckner has cultivated a supremely talented group of players since taking over in 2001 yet has seen his side chopped down to size twice in knockout matches, latterly at the Euro 2004 semi-finals to Greece. The Czech's playing roster is scary. Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky are leading lights while captain Tomas Galasek holds the midfield together. Former European footballer of the year Pavel Nedved has not yet decided if he'll make his World Cup debut next year after returning from international retirement for the playoff win over Norway. While upfront Milan Baros and Jan Koller played their part in tallying a mammoth 35 goals in qualifying. Koller's recuperation from a serious knee injury is vital for the World Cup debutants to go all the way. Fixtures
Czech Republic v USA 12 June; KO 18:00; Gelsenkirchen CoachKarel Bruckner RecordFirst appearance as the Czech Republic - previously Czechoslovakia qualified for the World Cup eight times being runners-up in 1934 and 1962 and quarterfinalists in 1938 and 1990. FIFA RankingMen to watchPavel Nedved, Petr Cech, Tomas Rosicky Predictions & Latest OddsPossible quarterfinalists if Nedved plays and Koller returns. How they qualifiedThe Czechs were runners-up to the Netherlands in European Group 1, and came through the play-offs 2-0 on aggregate against Norway. On the sidelinesJuve midfielder Pavel Nedved has returned from international retirement
for a possible swansong in Germany. AnalysisCzech Republic In-Depth Team Preview The SquadGoalkeepers Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea,
England), Antonin Kinsky (Saturn Ramenskoye, Russia) For highlights of the qualifying rounds, read Soccerphile's Ozren Podnar's "Best of the World Cup Qualifiers." |
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