GELSENKIRCHEN - Pre-match headlines such as "Czech old timers past their sell-by date" have been left looking premature after the Euro 2004 soccer semifinalists turned on the style to beat the United States 3-0.
Tomas Rosicky was predictably named man of the match for scoring twice, the first a stunning
25m strike, after Jan Koller's early header.
But more important was the performance of playmaker Pavel Nedved, at 34 giving it one final effort. The Juventus midfielder came out of international retirement to help his side past Norway in the playoffs but after a relatively low-key season in Serie A his first World Cup appearance seemed to have come too late.
But yesterday, in draining conditions, he was at the heart of most of his side's attacking ideas. Captain Tomas Galasek, 33, and 34-year-old Karel Poborsky, midfield veterans of the team that reached the final of Euro 1996, matched their younger US opponents for fitness and towered above them in class in a sparkling all-round display.
Koller, 33, was a handful before suffering a bad thigh injury .
If the Czechs can somehow find a way past Italy, who beat Ghana 2-0, to top Group E, a likely second round meeting with Croatia, Australia or Japan should hold no fears.
Ghana became the third African team in three days to show that possession alone counts for little.
Despite having most of the ball, Ghana fared second best in front of goal.
Following in the footsteps of Ivory Coast and Angola, the Black Stars seemed to get a touch of stage-fright and were indecisive, allowing the Azzurri to take the leading role.
"We made two mistakes and conceded two goals. We didn't take our chances and they took theirs," said Ghana captain Stephen Appiah.
A far from fit Francesco Totti and his partner Luca Toni proved a potent pair in Italy's attack. Both were unlucky not to score, with Toni striking the underside of the crossbar moments before Andrea Pirlo deservedly grabbed the first goal .
On the plus side for Ghana was the performance of Michael Essien.
- REUTERS
