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Home , Cafu, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Darijo Srna, Goal (website), Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka

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H6 SPECIALSPT 06-07-06 EZ EE H6 CMYK

H6 Wednesday, June 7, 2006 R x The Post World Cup 2006

GROUP FIRST-ROUND MONDAY SATURDAY, JUNE 17 THURSDAY, JUNE 22 SCHEDULE USA vs. Czech Rep., Noon (ESPN2) in Gelsenkirchen vs. Ghana, Noon (ABC) in Czech Republic vs. Italy, 10 a.m. (ESPN2) in Hamburg KEY E All times Eastern Italy vs. Ghana, 3 p.m. (ESPN2) in Hanover Italy vs. USA, 3 p.m. (ABC) in Kaiserslautern Ghana vs. , 10 a.m. (ESPN) in MATCHES By Steven Goff STAR PLAYER » PAVEL NEDVED | MF | CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC OUTLOOK Many observers are calling the Czechs the 2006 version of Portugal in ’02 — an immensely talented European team that might be a bit TEAMS beyond its prime and has defensive concerns. Although there are AT-A-GLANCE Nedved Saves many similarities, the Czechs seem to have the hunger for success, more frontline threats, a spectacular in Tomas Rosicky (just purchased by Arsenal from Borussia ) and a world- Czech Republic class goalkeeper in Petr Cech (Chelsea). » Best-Case Scenario: Win the group and advance to the semifinals. » Worst-Case Scenario: Finish third in a difficult group and go CZECH REPUBLIC home early. Coach: Karel Bruckner. From Danger Appearance: First (eight times as ollowing the 2004 Czechoslovakia). European Cham- GHANA OUTLOOK How Qualified: pionship, Pavel African soccer’s notorious underachievers Finished second in Europe’s Nedved had had have finally reached the World Cup, but the Group 1, beat Fenough. Dividing time between length of their stay will depend heavily on in a two-game playoff. the national team and Italian club Michael Essien (Chelsea) and Juventus had taken its toll on both his Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, Turkey) and psyche and cranky knees. It was time, he longtime Europe-based defender Samuel figured, to concentrate solely on his club career. Kuffour. However, they will be without right- But a year later, with his country in danger of missing side Laryea Kingston, who received the World Cup again, Nedved was persuaded to come out a controversial four-game suspension for involvement in an incident of international retirement. The Czechs had finished be- at the African Cup of Nations. hind the in group play and needed to subdue » Best-Case Scenario: Finish second in the group and play unimposing Norway in a qualifying playoff, which they ac- in the round of 16. GHANA complished with a pair of 1-0 victories. » Worst-Case Scenario: Three straight losses. Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic. On a roster packed with extraordinary talent, Nedved, Appearance: First. 33, remains a half-step ahead of his teammates. His mazy How Qualified: runs on the left flank, improvisational instincts and pass- Playmaker Won African Group 2. ing vision have made him one of the world’s most feared Pavel Nedved, ITALY OUTLOOK of the last half-dozen years. In 2003, he was 33, is back crowned Europe’s best player. after he Despite the distraction of the scandal Nedved inspired the Czechs’ entertaining run to the retired from enveloping Italian soccer and obsessive Euro 2004 semifinals, but an early knee injury against international concerns about playmaker ’s eventual champion devastated their chances. soccer. recovery from a broken leg, the Azzurri appear That seemed to be the end for him, but the allure of finally to be Europe’s best threat to unseat as playing in a World Cup was difficult to ignore. BY STUART FRANKLIN — world champion. The classically firm back line GETTY IMAGES “The World Cup has always been a sort of un- supports the central midfield tandem of ITALY accomplished dream for me,” the floppy- and blond- (a free kick master) and Gennaro Coach: . haired Nedved said recently. Gattuso (a nasty enforcer), all of which leads to an attack instigated Appearance: 16th. He might be burdened, however, with the match-fixing by Totti and topped by 6-foot-4 Luca Toni (Fiorentina) and Alberto How Qualified: scandal unfolding at Juventus. “I don’t feel good about it,” Gilardino (AC ). Best-Case Scenario: Won Europe’s Group 5. said Nedved, who has not been implicated but could end » Playing Brazil in the July 9 final. up retiring sooner than expected because of it. “They’ll » Worst-Case Scenario: Finish second in the group and play have to sort it out soon.” Brazil in the round of 16.

1934 1938 1982 GROUP E UNITED STATES OUTLOOK Note for Novices The Americans were surprising quarterfinalists in 2002, but to Czech Republic F Milan Baros repeat that historic feat they will need to minimize defensive was the leading scorer at letdowns, not be afraid to attack the Czechs and Italians, and find Euro 2004, with five goals. someone to finish scoring opportunities assuredly created by That total is the second-most midfielders and DaMarcus Beasley. While Kasey in European Championship Keller is among the world’s best in , the left back, Eddie Lewis, UNITED STATES is a natural midfielder and there is no clear choice to play on the Coach: . history ( had nine for in 1984). right side of midfield. Appearance: Eighth. » Best-Case Scenario: Win the group, return to quarterfinals. How Qualified: » Worst-Case Scenario: Lose the first two games, rendering Won CONCACAF region. the finale against Ghana meaningless.

GROUP FIRST-ROUND MONDAY TUESDAY SUNDAY, JUNE 18 THURSDAY, JUNE 22 vs. , 9 a.m. Brazil vs. , SCHEDULE Japan vs. Croatia, 9 a.m. (ABC) in Nuremberg Japan vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. (ESPN) in Dortmund KEY F All times Eastern (ESPN2) in Kaiserslautern 3 p.m. (ESPN2) in Brazil vs. Australia, Noon (ABC) in Croatia vs. Australia, 3 p.m. (ESPN2) in MATCHES By Jason La Canfora STAR PLAYER » | MF | BRAZIL AUSTRALIA OUTLOOK The popularity of the sport has never been higher in Australia, with a prosperous, if nascent, domestic league and a core of the national TEAMS team competing in the English . The midfield duo of AT-A-GLANCE Brazil’s Ronaldinho: (Liverpool) and Cahill (Everton) must lead the way, while (Middlesbrough) has the size and guile to make something of nothing. Best in the World » Best-Case Scenario: Sneaking by Croatia for second in the group and making the round of 16. » Worst-Case Scenario: Three lopsided first-round losses. AUSTRALIA Keeps Getting Better Coach: . Appearance: Second. he childlike toothy grin and wavy black locks, How Qualified: Won harnessed in a tight ponytail, are ubiquitous Oceania qualifying and worldwide. He is Ronaldinho, the brightest beat in playoff. star of the best team in the biggest sporting Tevent on the planet, and all signs point to this being his big year. He was voted the world’s premier player — again — and was the engine that led to another Spanish title as well as the Cham- pions League title. At times, Ronaldinho, whose nickname means “Little Ronaldo” in Portuguese to BRAZIL distinguish him from Real Madrid striker BRAZIL OUTLOOK Coach: and Brazil teammate Ronaldo, can take over games . with swashbuckling runs and can leave opponents diz- This is one country that likely could qualify for the World Cup using a Appearance: 18th. zy with an ever-growing array of outlandish footwork. team of players not selected for Parreira’s squad. Brazil’s depth, talent How Qualified: Finished His joy on the field is obvious, and he is as adept at put- and overall flair are unparalleled, and anything short of another title first in South America. ting teammates into scoring position as he is at bury- will be seen by the soccer-crazed country as a failure. The attack will ing the ball himself. His free kicks are ever-dangerous. center around Fs Adriano and Ronaldo and MFs Kaka and Ronaldinho; And he is only 26 years old. He might already be is a question mark for star defenders and ; greatest player his country has produced since Pele GK Dida was not up to his previous standards last season at AC Milan. and, with another World Cup or two beyond this one, » Best-Case Scenario: A sixth championship. 1958 1962 1970 he could surpass that icon’s status. Should he stand » Worst-Case Scenario: A leaky defense leads to a loss — with the World Cup trophy hoisted over his head, and in the semifinals. the Golden Boot (top scorer) and Golden Ball (most valuable player) awards tucked under the other arm, few would be surprised. CROATIA OUTLOOK 1994 2002 Croatian players were once part of a world power in the former Yugoslavia, and they aim to restore such glory. They are particularly GROUP F stout in defense and have no lack of distinguished players thriving in Europe’s top leagues. That includes Dado Prso of Rangers, who once Note for Nuts quit the professional game as a teenager and worked as a mechanic. The midfield should be powered by on the right and Coach Guus Hiddink Niko Kranjcar — the coach’s son — in the playmaking role. prefers a fluid style of CROATIA » Best-Case Scenario: A repeat of 1998’s run to the semifinals. play: Australia has Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar. » Worst-Case Scenario: A third-place group finish as age catches used a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 Appearance: Third. up with some key players. How Qualified: Finished and 4-2-3-1, all in the first in Europe’s Group 8. same game. The key is versatile MF ; he plays for JAPAN OUTLOOK Hiddink at PSV Played inspired soccer as co-hosts in 2002, but face a much steep- Eindhoven. er challenge now. Several poor outings in pre-Cup friendly matches were troublesome, and a lack of potent finishing could loom large. One strength: a midfield that includes Europe-based (Bolton) and (Celtic) and , Brazil’s Ronaldinho led Barcelona to the Champions League title. JAPAN who played in the Netherlands before returning to the J-League. Coach: . BY STUART FRANKLIN — GETTY IMAGES Coached by Brazilian legend Zico. Appearance: Third. » Best-Case Scenario: A first-round exit, but one that includes

How Qualified: Placed some play worthy of the coach’s homeland.

first in Asia’s Group B. » Worst-Case Scenario: A brutal goal differential in three losses.

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