World Cup 2006 Team Profiles – Group E
Czeck Republic
World Cup Appearances: 9th Appearance; Last – 1990 (As Czechoslovakia)
Best Finish: Runners-up (1934, 1962)
Key Players: Pavel Nedved, MF; Jan Koller, F; Milan Baros, F
Notes:
They needed playoffs to secure their spot in Germany, but now that they are officially qualified, look out for the dangerous and high-powered offense that is the Czech Republic. They’ve got the talent and the will to score as often as they please, and they will be a tough match-up for many teams in Germany.
Qualifying was the trick, really. They finished second in their group behind the Netherlands, and with only 27 points they needed the playoff to secure their spot into the World Cup finals. Many people go back to their 2001 experience, where with a very talented team, they fell into a playoff situation and were not able to recover as they lost out to Belgium and did not qualify for the 2002 Finals.
The team that the Czechs will be fielding is one of high quality. They have the ability to score on you from almost anywhere on the pitch, and that can prove dangerous on the big stage. They’ve got forwards with a nose for the goal, and midfielders who are among the best in the world in pushing forwards into the attacking third. And if they can get up early on you with a quick goal, they are fully capable of sitting back and playing counterattack football, which they are deadly proficient playing.
The leader of the attack is Jan Koller, the 6’7″ striker who uses his size advantage and his strength to his advantage in the attacking third of the field. His size also makes him incredibly good at playing the ball in the air, as most defenders cannot mark him adequately and challenge his headers. He’s not all size and power, though, as he’s also got a very nice goal-scoring touch for a huge man and is one of the world’s most dangerous within the 6 yard box. He was second in all of Europe during the qualifying stages with 9 tallies; only Portugal’s Pauleta scored more. He’s a mainstay for German football fans, who are used to seeing him playing in German league with Borussia Dortmund.
Milan Baros provides the Czechs with a 1-2 striking combination which rivals some of the world’s best. It’s a cliche to speak of a player’s speed and ‘quickness,’ but Baros truly is one of the fastest strikers with the ball in the world. His ability to use his speed to create shooting and passing lanes combined with his deadly marksmanship with either foot make him a goalkeeper’s nightmare. He’s spent most of his club career in England’s Premiership and has been gaining valuable experience in that league. And he’s provided some of his best performances for his national side, and they can’t be any happier in the Czech Republic.
But they are assisted by the likes of Pavel Nedved and club side teammate Tomas Rosicky, two of the best attacking midfielders in the world, and a superb young GK in Petr Cech. They will be formidable, but if you are able to mark them all on your defensive side, and provide a balanced and strong counterattack, you can beat this team. That, however, is easier said than done.
Italy
World Cup Appearances: 16th Appearance; 12th Consecutive
Best Finish: Champions (3 – 1934, 1938, 1982)
Key Players: Francesco Totti, MF; Gianluigi Buffon, GK; Luca Toni, F
Notes:
When you talk about international soccer powers, you usually mention Brazil, Germany might get a few mentions, and… well, the Italians. Will Ferrell said it best in Kicking and Screaming, “Get the ball to the Italians.” With a soccer pedigree that includes one of the best national leagues in the world and a three-time World Cup champion national team, Italy has a lot of accomplishments in football to be proud of.
This 2006 World Cup squad looks to build on that reputation. They say that reputation, however, doesn’t win you matches, and they are absolutely correct. But the established stars of this team supported by the nine newcomers who made their debuts during the qualifying stages make the future outlook bright for the Italians.
They are led, of course, by the biggest name on this team worldwide, Francesco Totti. He’s a mainstay in international lore ever since he made his Serie A debut back in 1993 at the ripe age of 16. He’s played for one club side ever since, his hometown club of Roma. He’s only 29 years old and in the prime of his football career, and this is the stage when he can establish himself in national side history with a good showing in Germany. A natural talent, it shows a lot of ability and confidence when they say that Totti developed his attacking style early in his professional career, after having learned that his talent alone couldn’t do it. He began his career attacking wide, but as time progressed was able to define himself as an all-around midfielder with two way ability. Totti has had a good history, however, playing internationally for the Italian national team and looks to use the 2006 World Cup as his stage.
Luca Toni, meanwhile, is their number one striker up front. A journeyman in his club career, he’s been on the Italian radar for a while, and he used a great qualifying round combined with his club performances with Palermo to garner him national team attention. It also helps that he’s got incredible ball skills and precision control. He’s solid when it comes to attacking and can position himself well for the crosses and feeds he receives from the Italian mids. He won the European Golden Shoe in 2005, which is awarded to the top goalscorer in the European top divisions with 31 goals for Fiorentina of Italy’s Serie A.
In goal is one of the world’s best, Gianluigi Buffon. He’s been plagued right now with a gambling scandal that is rocking Serie A in Italy, but his focus right now remains strictly on the World Cup and the Italian side. He’s fit again, which is something that until recently had been a problem. A shoulder injury playing for his club side, Juventus, had been hampering his play. Buffon makes his mark as an excellent shot-stopper. He is able to make incredible stop at point blank range and is known for his aggression in angles and position in one-on-one battles. Buffon is so unflappable that it often looks effortless for him.
Italy will be one of the favorites in all of Germany, and it’s easy to see why. But if they don’t play consistent football, they could suffer the same fate as 2002, where they were eliminated by co-host Korea in the elimination stage.
United States
World Cup Appearances: 8th Appearance; 5th Consecutive
Best Finish: semifinalists (1930)
Key Players: Claudio Reyna, MF; Kasey Keller, GK; Landon Donovan, MF
Notes:
The enigma of the 2006 World Cup. Will they be as strong as they were in Korea/Japan? Or will they disappoint. It’s hard to say, but I believe that no other nation has the weight of their country’s program and the sport than this U.S. team. It’s hard to argue that this may very well be the best team the U.S. has ever fielded, at least on paper. We’ll see if manager Bruce Arena can have his team ready for international competition.
Qualifying in the CONCACAF region was relatively simple for the U.S. side, as they secured their birth to the World Cup with three matches left to play. It was the first time that they finished at the top of their qualifying group. Arena is the longest tenured manager in the World Cup and his squad features some homegrown talent that is not only the best in the nation, but in some cases world-class.
Although many of their players still travel abroad and play in European leagues, like Claudio Reyna, Tim Howard, Bobby Convey, and Brian McBride to name a few, many of their current team play in the U.S. top league, MLS. Stars like Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy) and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) are playing in their home country.
This team is led by their captain, Claudio Reyna. With over 100 games for the national side, Reyna is considered to be one of the most successful Americans to ever play football internationally and has earned him the nickname ‘Captain America.’. This will be Reyna’s fourth World Cup with the U.S., and his experience and knowledge of the international game and their players will be an advantage for the U.S. Reyna has been plagued at times with injuries that have stunted his growth both at the club level and at the national level. Some might even consider Reyna to be damaged goods, but it’s still notable that he’s a world-class midfielder whose blend of leadership and presence makes it possible for his team to play with added confidence. They know he will take care of his responsibilities.
Kasey Keller, meanwhile, has made himself into one of the world’s best in front of goal. He’s got incredible reflexes, often making moves for saves before the shot has left the striker’s foot. He’s also able to position himself perfectly on most shots, giving him position even on balls that knuckle or twist. He is the oldest member of this U.S. squad, but he’s fit and ready to make a run after not playing in 2002, relegated to the substitute role behind Brad Friedel.
The U.S. will need to be on their best form against this group, and need to gain victories or much needed points against Italy and the Czech Republic. This will require all their players, especially Landon Donovan and his playmaking abilities, to be on top form. Donovan is considered to be the best player the U.S. has fielded in current international play, and although not having tallied in their last 15 matches heading into World Cup play, figures to be an important cog. Also, the play of the backline, with Eddie Pope and Oguchi Onyewu, will need to be solid and on their mark at all times. They can either surpass the expectations, or collapse in front of them. It will remain to be seen how they perform.
Ghana
World Cup Appearances: Initial Appearance
Best Finish: n/a
Key Players: Stephen Appiah, MF; Michael Essien, MF
Notes:
This is one of the youngest teams in the finals and it remains to be seen how they will perform in the world spotlight. Ghana was able to go through African qualifying with despite the ups and downs that they faced, including the ever-popular change in manager. But new manager Ratomir Dujkovic got this team back on the qualifying track as they were able to top their group. This is a nation with a great tradition in their own continent but have yet to manifest that into even a birth into the World Cup finals, at least until now.
Ghana can also be considered as one of the hotbeds of African football in terms of individual players, having produced the likes of Osei Koffi, Abdulrazak Karim, Ben Acheampong, Afriye and George Al Hassan. But this team now fields a group of young players hungry to make their mark, led by some international talent.
That starts with a pair of dynamic midfielders in Appiah and Essien. Essien is the most expensive African footballer in history, costing English Premiership club Chelsea a record transfer fee, 38 Million Euros. But he is well worth it in the eyes of many football experts globally. Only 23 years of age, Essien brings an offensive prowess nearly unmatched in the world; his aggression in the attacking third is renowned worldwide and his speed and explosiveness make him an incredibly difficult mark for any defense. He is the catalyst for this team, and his nation’s hopes and dreams will be dependent on his performance in Germany.
Appiah, meanwhile, is the captain, although he does not garner the attention that Essien does. He is the unquestioned leader of this side and is often referred to as the emotional vein that powers the Ghanan side. Another players who was exposed to the international stage early in his career has made a living playing in Italy’s Serie A, but it’s the national side that now beckons his skills. Appiah is one of the hardest working men on the pitch, and his play often inspires great performances from his teammates. He’s tactical knowledge of the game is second to none on the national side and will be needed in order to play well against the world-class talent of the other three squads.
Ghana must steal one from one of the groups’ top teams, italy or the Czech Republic. A good showing against thte U.S. and a victory would only enhance their chances. They have the talent to compete, it’s just a question of whether or not they can maintain that intensity and level of play.
