TOMAS ROSICKY, the Arsenal new boy, scored two excellent goals as the Czechs thumped the USA 3-0 in the 5 o’clock game today.
Jan Koller scored after four minutes with a header but later went off with a hamstring injury.
Rosicky was playing in a central midfield / Fabregas position.
The whole team plays off Koller, the giant No 9.
In 36, Rosicky’s 25-yard shot beat Kasey Keller and flew into the net.A world class strike from a player with skill and vision.
Then Rosicky went through in 76, released by Nedved, and slotted a one-on-one in fine style. He also bounced a dipping shot off the crossbar in 67.
The USA were predictable, pedestrian, no match for the Czechs who demonstrated method and flair in equal measure.
The Czechs play Ghana on the 15th. The Czechs and the Italians may have already qualified by the time they meet on the 20th.
TIM CAHILL, a sub, scored twice as Guus Hiddink’s Australia came from behind to beat Japan 3-1.
Italy beat Ghana 2-0 and Lippi is doing quite a good job.
They use a 4-3-1-2 system and Pirlo and Totti made it work quite well, with Pirlo feeding quick balls forward to Totti, who releases two strikers. So most of their attacking play is within the width of the penalty area.
That changed when Totti went off and Camoranesi came on.
Pirlo scored the first goal with a scorching shot after a crafty short corner, then tried to supply sub Iaquinta, and Kuffour muffed a backpass to allow Iaquinta to walk round the stranded keeper.
Ghana’s best player was Appiah, not Essien, as the BBC panel said. Appiah has more craft and does not elbow opponents.
Rosicky will have to watch Essien’s elbows closely. Being a bantamweight, he does not want to be on the wrong end of a light-heavyweight’s elbows.
If he has any sense, Rosicky will wear a gumshield.