AJC.com > Sports > Soccer blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 14
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Fantastic finishes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Off the Ball was going to use Wednesday as a Cool Her Jets day, given the gargantuan matches in upcoming days, but as always happens in the World Cup, magic moments occur when least expected.
Was anybody seriously excited about Tunisia and Saudi Arabia before they clashed in Munich? But it would be hard to match the last few minutes of what transpired there, as Radhi Jaidi earned a 2-2 draw for Tunisia with a stoppage time goal, wiping out all the good work of the Saudis to nail down three points.
Not so fast. Against a heated backdrop of more than 120 hooligan-related arrests in Dortmund prior to the game, Germany stole a 1-0 win from Poland and a spot in the second round on another stoppage-time stunner from the 89-year-old Oliver Neuville.
Good grief! You just can’t turn your head in this tournament without something bizarre, dazzling and unexpected happening. Perhaps the most shocking thing that occurred on Wednesday, however, was Spain’s 4-0 throttling of the Ukraine that was over by the time Off the Ball awoke and groggily tuned in with 20 minutes gone. It was clear that the Ukrainians, making their first World Cup appearance, never got the wake-up call, and the splendid Andrei Shevchenko got precious few meaningful touches.
Does Spain even need Raúl, who came on as a sub after David Villa did severe damage with two goals? It’s still early, and this looks like a very weak group. About as weak as Fernando Torres’ lame-o mullet.
At least the USA no longer bears the mantle of having suffered the worst loss thus far. Until Saturday, maybe.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s clash (12 noon, ET) between England and Trinidad & Tobago, it’s never too early to go looney over Rooney, as the laid-up English striker wonderboy may be ready. Then again Sven, maybe not.
And as is the English way, this one’s going to be especially ramped up with a nervous nation desperate for three points against a World Cup neophyte that has nothing to lose.
