American Scandal & Japanese Shame

Rosicky stars as Czechs roll over the USA...
Cahill brace stuns Japan...

A pulsating performance from the Czech Republic saw them run out 3-0 winners against a capable USA team. Arsenal signing Tomas Rosicky starred with two goals.
The Czechs took the lead in only the fifth minute when right back Zdenek Grygera found space down the left side and crossed perfectly for 6' 7" Jan Koller to thump home a powerful header.
On 27 minutes Claudio Reyna of the US picked up the ball in midfield and unleashed a ferocious shot that cannoned off the inside of the post.
The USA cursed that luck on 35 minutes when Pavel Nedved's cross was headed straight to Tomas Rosicky. The midfielder coolly set himself and cracked a shot straight into the top corner.
In the second period Rosicky hit the crossbar with a hard drive and then combined with Nedved to add a third, lifting the ball over a despairing Kasey Keller.

In conclusion

The US team displayed several nice combinations in midfield throughout the match, but they struggled to translate them into clear scoring opportunities. Czech Republic, meanwhile, did not create a host of chances but they had the quality to capatilise on the ones they did make for themselves. Things will not get easier for the States, as they will face Italy next in another difficult Group E clash, while the Czechs will play Ghana.

Two goals from Tim Cahill in five minutes helped Australia come from behind to stun Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern on Monday. Japan had earlier taken a controversial lead when a Shunsuke Nakamura cross flew over Mark Schwarzer - impeded by Atsushi Yanagisuwa - and into the net. But Cahill - brought on by Australia coach Guus Hiddink early into the second half - equalised with six minutes to go after Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi had fumbled a long throw-in.
And the Australia playmaker completed the sensational turnaround with just a minute to go, taking John Aloisi's pass and smashing an unstoppable drive off the post and in from outside the box.
Aloisi scored a third deep into stoppage time to wrap up the Socceroos' first World Cup win and put them well on their way in Group F.
With the Kaiserslautern crowd a sea of yellow and green, the Australia fans were almost rewarded in just the fifth minute of the match when Mark Viduka saw two efforts saved by Kawaguchi.
And the Middlesbrough striker almost set up an opener, his delightful backheeled pass putting Marco Bresciano clean through, whose shot was saved by Kawaguchi.
Kawaguchi continued to defy the Australian attack, saving well from a Viduka free-kick and an Aloisi strike.
But the Japan goalkeeper was to make the mistake that turned the match around, flapping at a long throw-in with just six minutes left, allowing Cahill to gather the ball and slot it into the empty net.
Cahill almost went from hero to villain when he pulled down Naohiro Takahashi in the box moments later, but no penalty was given and Australia went on to snatch it in the dying moments.
"In the end justice was done in this game," Hiddink said. "I'm not saying this out of arrogance, but we were sure that we were capable of (coming back).
"This team is nice to work with because they never give up, and this team tried to play good football."