Live Ticker: Italy 2 : 0 Ghana
June 12, 2006Advertisement
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It's been a day of wonder goals and gripping excitement at the World Cup and the last match of the day could be another potential classic. Italy are looking for the their first World Cup title since 1982 and the word is that this Azzurri squad has what it takes to be up there with Rossi, Tardelli et al. Standing in the way of their first points of this World Cup are the debutants of Ghana. Only a fool would award the win to Italy without seeing what Michael Essien and Co. are capable of on the big stage. We might be in for another World Cup shock. Stay tuned...
The teams for tonight's Italy vs. Ghana clash:
Italy: Gianlugi Buffon, Cristian Zaccardo, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro (capt), Fabio Grosso, Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Francesco Totti, Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni Coach: Marcello Lippi Ghana: Richard Kingston, John Pantsil, Sammy Kuffour, John Mensah, Emmanuel Pappoe, Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah (capt), Eric Addo, Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic Referee: Carlos Simon (BRA)
Everything primed for an electric night of soccer
The FIFA World Cup Stadium in Hannover is a sea of color this evening as the supporters of Ghana and Italy stand side by side, waiting for the teams to emerge. It's a party atmosphere already with drums, whistles and song swirling round this cauldron-like venue.
The teams are out; the anthems sound
Italy and Ghana stand and honor each other's national hymns as the kick-off approaches.
1. min.
Italy vs. Ghana is underway
Ghana kick-off and this potentially explosive Group E match is underway.
1. min.
The game starts at an electric pace with both teams giving no quarter in the first tackles. The referee plays good advantage as to give the match a good starting rhythm.
2. min.
Ghana certainly don't look overawed by Italy and are stretching the Azzurri across both flanks and attacking the wings at speed.
4. min.
By the sound of things, either Ghana have a huge following or the crowd is boosted by thousands of neutrals cheering on the Africans.
5. min.
Italy forward Luca Toni is getting a lot of the ball when Italy break but he's also getting a lot of attention from Sammy Kuffour. The Italy striker is left limping slightly after one challenge.
6. min.
Italy break at a pedestrian pace, letting the ball work. They win a corner.
6. min.
The corner is batted away by Kingston in the Ghana goal and the defenders clear.
7. min.
Italy are beginning to get into their rhythm and Pirlo sends over another dangerous cross which is put out for a corner. The corner swings in and Cannavaro heads just over.
8. min.
Italy are not getting everything their own way in these opening exchanges. The Azzurri want to slow things down but Ghana are getting the ball and upping the pace, counter-attacking at speed.
9. min.
De Rossi gets the first card
Italy defender Daniele de Rossi is booked for a challenge on the edge of the area on Michael Essien. Essien lines up the free-kick himself.
10. min.
The free-kick is charged down and the Italians break.
11. min.
Italy have the first clear cut chance
Totti then Gilardino have close range efforts blocked after a dangerous low cross zips into the Ghana area. Gilardino's effort comes off Kingston and bobbles agonizingly past the post.
14. min.
Andrea Pirlo lays a perfect cross ball into the path of Francesco Totti but the Roma striker balloons the ball into Row Z of the stand behind the goal. A good chance goes begging.
16. min.
The match seems to have settled with Italy pressing Ghana high up the pitch and the Africans trying to counter that tactic by hitting long balls over the Italian defense. One such move nearly reaches Asamoah in the box but Nesta heads away at the last minute.
19. min.
Ghana break up a great Italian move and skillfully build their own. Fancy footwork by Appiah frees Amoah but Cannavaro is wise and plays the ball -- and player -- into touch.
21. min.
Essien gets into the box and could go down under Cannavaro's challenge but stays up, hoping to win the corner. The decision goes the other way.
22. min.
A Perrota cross misses Gilardino and Toni, leaving Tottit to play the ball back in. The ball is cleared for a corner.
21. min.
Richard Kingston claims the ball cleanly and the Ghanians attack from the back again.
24. min.
Again, Italy try and get round the back of the defense but a last gasp clearance earns them a corner. The corner is dealt well in the air but Italy regain possession, building patiently from Nesta to Pirlo.
25. min.
Muntari gets on the end of a smooth Gahan move on the edge of the area. Pantsil flies down the wing, cuts inside and lays off to Muntari but his shot is wild.
26. min.
Luca Toni hits the bar!
26. min.
The Fiorentina striker beats Sammy Kuffour on the edge of the box and with his back to goal, hooks a wicked shot at goal which bypasses Kingston but not the bar.
28. min.
Pirlo rides a hard tackle and looks too casual in the following pass, losing out Appiah in the middle of the pitch. The measured pass gets Asamoah in and the Ghanian striker whips a cross goal shot in which narrowly misses Buffon's far post.
30. min.
Ghana pressure again and Michael Essien gets a shot in from the left hand side of the penalty area but it curls just wide of the upright.
32. min.
Ema Pappoe gets in the same position on the left hand side and fires in a rising shot that misses the angle of the far post by a meter. Italy have lost their grip on the game in the last five minutes.
33. min.
Just to remind the Africans who they are dealing with, Totti launches a 30 meter rising shot at Kingston which the Ghana keeper has to tip over. The corner comes in and the keeper is impeded. Free kick Ghana.
36. min.
The mid-half lull has been forgotten and it's gone back to end-to-end stuff with both teams carving out opportunities with every attack. It's exciting stuff.
38. min.
Ghana get a corner after a delightful chip pass from Essien gets Addo in. The cross is charged down. The corner comes in but Buffon collects without any problems.
40. min.
GOAL ITALY
40. min.
Andrea Pirlo cracks in a wonderful curler!
The AC Milan midfielder gets the ball on the edge of a crowded penalty area; takes one touch to control it and then hits a right-footed curler through the melee and into the far right hand corner of the net.
43. min.
Michael Essien leads with his elbow and is lucky not to get the yellow card for the challenge. FIFA have told refs to be strict with that but Carlos Simon missed that one.
45. min.
Luca Toni is slipped in behind the defense by Grosso and the shot is clipped wide by Kingston. The corner is ineffective though.
45+1. min.
Half-time: Italy lead by Andrea Pirlo's goal
45. min.
Second-half: Italy kicks-off
47. min.
Gilardino shows great vision by skimming a 40 meter pass through the Ghana defense for Luca Toni but the ball speeds up on the turf and the lanky striker can't get it before Kingston gathers.
48. min.
Ghana have to get an early goal to shake up Italy or the Azzurri will take control of the pace again.
49. min.
Totti gets Gilardino in on goal but Kingston is ready to smother the shot well.
51. min.
Ghana look to build patiently and are enjoying possession. The passes are accurate and the movement good. Essien gets a bouncing pass and hits it first time, bringing a diving save from Buffon.
55. min.
Totti crocked and replaced
Totti is down injured and it looks to be the left leg he has been having recent problems with. He goes off for treatment and is replaced by Camoranesi.
57. min.
It's a blow for Italy to lose Totti, the man who was a doubt coming into this game. It may prove to be a defining moment of this game but hopefully not for the whole of Italy's World Cup.
60. min.
Ghana are pushing home the advantage. Italy have had to reorganize and as yet they haven't found the flow or outlets that Totti helps to provide.
62. min.
Camoranesi gets booked
62. min.
The new man hacks down Asamoah and gives away a free-kick and gets himself in the referee's book. Essien blast the free-kick at the wall and the chance evaporates.
63. min.
Gilardino makes way for Iaquinta
65. min.
Asamoah Gyan booked for a foul on Pirlo
66. min.
The substitutions from Italy have done much to break up the growing influence Ghana was having on this match. The spate of cards and fouls show that concentration is broken.
67. min.
Perrotta gets past the Ghana defense and bears down on Kingston, it looks a certain goal but the keeper makes a remarkable one-handed save to deny the Italian.
68. min.
Pimpong comes on for Amoah
68. min.
The Ghana switch is a striker for a striker as coach Ratomir Dujkovic looks to inject some fresh legs into the quest for the equalizer.
72. min.
Ghana cry for a penalty and it looks like Asamoah has a case after what looks like a shirt tug by de Rossi. The referee waves play on as the stadium erupts in whistles.
75. min.
Luca Toni is clear through but he is offside. It doesn't stop Kuffour hacking him down though. Toni rolls around like he's been shot by a sniper in the stands but the ref takes no action despite Toni being stretchered off.
77. min.
The close-to-death Toni makes a Lazarus-style recovery and jogs back onto the field of play to loud unappreciative whistles.
78. min.
Italy are looking to hit Ghana on the break as the Africans lay siege to the Azzurri goal.
79. min.
Asamoah appeals for another penalty and again it looks a good one. sandwiched between two dfenders in the box, he goes down. His swan dive may have put the ref off though and the game plays on.
81. min.
Del Piero comes on for Luca Toni
83. min.
GOAL ITALY
83. min.
Iaquita puts the tie out of Ghana's reach!
Sammy Kuffour makes a dreadful mistake and Iaquinta rounds the keeper to make it 2-0. Ghana's fight back is in vain as they are caught on the break.
86. min.
The Italians may have adopted a new attacking style to replace their old defensive one but they have not changed their play-acting ways. Pirlo is fouled in an innocuous challenge and rolls around on the floor like he's having 20,000 volts put through his body.
88. min.
Iaquinta gets the yellow card
The goal scorer gets the yellow card for an off the ball push. He pretends to be the victim but Carlos Simon is not fooled.
90+3. min.
Italy beat Ghana 2-0
The Italians have ran the clock down with an exhibition of passing and possession at the end, adding insult to injury to the Ghanians. Italy now sit second in the Group E table behind the Czech Republic.
It's been a day of wonder goals and gripping excitement at the World Cup and the last match of the day could be another potential classic. Italy are looking for the their first World Cup title since 1982 and the word is that this Azzurri squad has what it takes to be up there with Rossi, Tardelli et al. Standing in the way of their first points of this World Cup are the debutants of Ghana. Only a fool would award the win to Italy without seeing what Michael Essien and Co. are capable of on the big stage. We might be in for another World Cup shock. Stay tuned...
The teams for tonight's Italy vs. Ghana clash:
Italy: Gianlugi Buffon, Cristian Zaccardo, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro (capt), Fabio Grosso, Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Francesco Totti, Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni Coach: Marcello Lippi Ghana: Richard Kingston, John Pantsil, Sammy Kuffour, John Mensah, Emmanuel Pappoe, Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah (capt), Eric Addo, Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic Referee: Carlos Simon (BRA)
Everything primed for an electric night of soccer
The FIFA World Cup Stadium in Hannover is a sea of color this evening as the supporters of Ghana and Italy stand side by side, waiting for the teams to emerge. It's a party atmosphere already with drums, whistles and song swirling round this cauldron-like venue.
The teams are out; the anthems sound
Italy and Ghana stand and honor each other's national hymns as the kick-off approaches.
1. min.
Italy vs. Ghana is underway
Ghana kick-off and this potentially explosive Group E match is underway.
1. min.
The game starts at an electric pace with both teams giving no quarter in the first tackles. The referee plays good advantage as to give the match a good starting rhythm.
2. min.
Ghana certainly don't look overawed by Italy and are stretching the Azzurri across both flanks and attacking the wings at speed.
4. min.
By the sound of things, either Ghana have a huge following or the crowd is boosted by thousands of neutrals cheering on the Africans.
5. min.
Italy forward Luca Toni is getting a lot of the ball when Italy break but he's also getting a lot of attention from Sammy Kuffour. The Italy striker is left limping slightly after one challenge.
6. min.
Italy break at a pedestrian pace, letting the ball work. They win a corner.
6. min.
The corner is batted away by Kingston in the Ghana goal and the defenders clear.
7. min.
Italy are beginning to get into their rhythm and Pirlo sends over another dangerous cross which is put out for a corner. The corner swings in and Cannavaro heads just over.
8. min.
Italy are not getting everything their own way in these opening exchanges. The Azzurri want to slow things down but Ghana are getting the ball and upping the pace, counter-attacking at speed.
9. min.
De Rossi gets the first card
Italy defender Daniele de Rossi is booked for a challenge on the edge of the area on Michael Essien. Essien lines up the free-kick himself.
10. min.
The free-kick is charged down and the Italians break.
11. min.
Italy have the first clear cut chance
Totti then Gilardino have close range efforts blocked after a dangerous low cross zips into the Ghana area. Gilardino's effort comes off Kingston and bobbles agonizingly past the post.
14. min.
Andrea Pirlo lays a perfect cross ball into the path of Francesco Totti but the Roma striker balloons the ball into Row Z of the stand behind the goal. A good chance goes begging.
16. min.
The match seems to have settled with Italy pressing Ghana high up the pitch and the Africans trying to counter that tactic by hitting long balls over the Italian defense. One such move nearly reaches Asamoah in the box but Nesta heads away at the last minute.
19. min.
Ghana break up a great Italian move and skillfully build their own. Fancy footwork by Appiah frees Amoah but Cannavaro is wise and plays the ball -- and player -- into touch.
21. min.
Essien gets into the box and could go down under Cannavaro's challenge but stays up, hoping to win the corner. The decision goes the other way.
22. min.
A Perrota cross misses Gilardino and Toni, leaving Tottit to play the ball back in. The ball is cleared for a corner.
21. min.
Richard Kingston claims the ball cleanly and the Ghanians attack from the back again.
24. min.
Again, Italy try and get round the back of the defense but a last gasp clearance earns them a corner. The corner is dealt well in the air but Italy regain possession, building patiently from Nesta to Pirlo.
25. min.
Muntari gets on the end of a smooth Gahan move on the edge of the area. Pantsil flies down the wing, cuts inside and lays off to Muntari but his shot is wild.
26. min.
Luca Toni hits the bar!
26. min.
The Fiorentina striker beats Sammy Kuffour on the edge of the box and with his back to goal, hooks a wicked shot at goal which bypasses Kingston but not the bar.
28. min.
Pirlo rides a hard tackle and looks too casual in the following pass, losing out Appiah in the middle of the pitch. The measured pass gets Asamoah in and the Ghanian striker whips a cross goal shot in which narrowly misses Buffon's far post.
30. min.
Ghana pressure again and Michael Essien gets a shot in from the left hand side of the penalty area but it curls just wide of the upright.
32. min.
Ema Pappoe gets in the same position on the left hand side and fires in a rising shot that misses the angle of the far post by a meter. Italy have lost their grip on the game in the last five minutes.
33. min.
Just to remind the Africans who they are dealing with, Totti launches a 30 meter rising shot at Kingston which the Ghana keeper has to tip over. The corner comes in and the keeper is impeded. Free kick Ghana.
36. min.
The mid-half lull has been forgotten and it's gone back to end-to-end stuff with both teams carving out opportunities with every attack. It's exciting stuff.
38. min.
Ghana get a corner after a delightful chip pass from Essien gets Addo in. The cross is charged down. The corner comes in but Buffon collects without any problems.
40. min.
GOAL ITALY
40. min.
Andrea Pirlo cracks in a wonderful curler!
The AC Milan midfielder gets the ball on the edge of a crowded penalty area; takes one touch to control it and then hits a right-footed curler through the melee and into the far right hand corner of the net.
43. min.
Michael Essien leads with his elbow and is lucky not to get the yellow card for the challenge. FIFA have told refs to be strict with that but Carlos Simon missed that one.
45. min.
Luca Toni is slipped in behind the defense by Grosso and the shot is clipped wide by Kingston. The corner is ineffective though.
45+1. min.
Half-time: Italy lead by Andrea Pirlo's goal
45. min.
Second-half: Italy kicks-off
47. min.
Gilardino shows great vision by skimming a 40 meter pass through the Ghana defense for Luca Toni but the ball speeds up on the turf and the lanky striker can't get it before Kingston gathers.
48. min.
Ghana have to get an early goal to shake up Italy or the Azzurri will take control of the pace again.
49. min.
Totti gets Gilardino in on goal but Kingston is ready to smother the shot well.
51. min.
Ghana look to build patiently and are enjoying possession. The passes are accurate and the movement good. Essien gets a bouncing pass and hits it first time, bringing a diving save from Buffon.
55. min.
Totti crocked and replaced
Totti is down injured and it looks to be the left leg he has been having recent problems with. He goes off for treatment and is replaced by Camoranesi.
57. min.
It's a blow for Italy to lose Totti, the man who was a doubt coming into this game. It may prove to be a defining moment of this game but hopefully not for the whole of Italy's World Cup.
60. min.
Ghana are pushing home the advantage. Italy have had to reorganize and as yet they haven't found the flow or outlets that Totti helps to provide.
62. min.
Camoranesi gets booked
62. min.
The new man hacks down Asamoah and gives away a free-kick and gets himself in the referee's book. Essien blast the free-kick at the wall and the chance evaporates.
63. min.
Gilardino makes way for Iaquinta
65. min.
Asamoah Gyan booked for a foul on Pirlo
66. min.
The substitutions from Italy have done much to break up the growing influence Ghana was having on this match. The spate of cards and fouls show that concentration is broken.
67. min.
Perrotta gets past the Ghana defense and bears down on Kingston, it looks a certain goal but the keeper makes a remarkable one-handed save to deny the Italian.
68. min.
Pimpong comes on for Amoah
68. min.
The Ghana switch is a striker for a striker as coach Ratomir Dujkovic looks to inject some fresh legs into the quest for the equalizer.
72. min.
Ghana cry for a penalty and it looks like Asamoah has a case after what looks like a shirt tug by de Rossi. The referee waves play on as the stadium erupts in whistles.
75. min.
Luca Toni is clear through but he is offside. It doesn't stop Kuffour hacking him down though. Toni rolls around like he's been shot by a sniper in the stands but the ref takes no action despite Toni being stretchered off.
77. min.
The close-to-death Toni makes a Lazarus-style recovery and jogs back onto the field of play to loud unappreciative whistles.
78. min.
Italy are looking to hit Ghana on the break as the Africans lay siege to the Azzurri goal.
79. min.
Asamoah appeals for another penalty and again it looks a good one. sandwiched between two dfenders in the box, he goes down. His swan dive may have put the ref off though and the game plays on.
81. min.
Del Piero comes on for Luca Toni
83. min.
GOAL ITALY
83. min.
Iaquita puts the tie out of Ghana's reach!
Sammy Kuffour makes a dreadful mistake and Iaquinta rounds the keeper to make it 2-0. Ghana's fight back is in vain as they are caught on the break.
86. min.
The Italians may have adopted a new attacking style to replace their old defensive one but they have not changed their play-acting ways. Pirlo is fouled in an innocuous challenge and rolls around on the floor like he's having 20,000 volts put through his body.
88. min.
Iaquinta gets the yellow card
The goal scorer gets the yellow card for an off the ball push. He pretends to be the victim but Carlos Simon is not fooled.
90+3. min.
Italy beat Ghana 2-0
The Italians have ran the clock down with an exhibition of passing and possession at the end, adding insult to injury to the Ghanians. Italy now sit second in the Group E table behind the Czech Republic.
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