Czech wake-up call for WCup-bound US
Source: Agencies |
May 27, 2010, Thursday
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THE United States was given an early World Cup wake-up call when it was beaten 2-4 at home by the Czech Republic in a warm-up game on Tuesday.
US coach Bob Bradley rested many of his likely starters but gave a run-out to key central defender Oguchi Onyewu, who had been sidelined since a knee operation in October and looked well short of match fitness.
The States, which faces England in its World Cup opener on June 12, took the lead in the 17th minute through Maurice Edu but goals from Tomas Sivok (44) and Jan Polak (58) put the Czechs in front.
Herculez Gomez equalized but a shaky American defense conceded twice more as Martin Fenin (77) and then Tomas Necid (90+2) led the Czechs to victory.
Bradley will reduce his 30-man squad to 23 but was looking for players to give him a last minute re-think, but there would seem little scope for adjustment.
"I think for the most part we had good ideas there were certain things that were on the fence and so we will have some discussions tonight and make some tough decisions," said Bradley.
Lengthy lay-off
Midfielder Stuart Holden, another player returning from a lengthy lay-off, created both goals.
His in-swinging free-kick from the left was only flapped at by Czech keeper Petr Cech and allowed Edu to tap in the loose ball. Later, Holden's corner kick was nodded back by defender Clarence Goodson before Gomez headed in at the back post.
Gomez and Brian Ching caused more danger than the first half strike pairing of Eddie Johnson and Edson Buddle and Bradley singled out central defender Clarence Goodson for praise.
"I thought that Clarence Goodson still did a solid job at the back and helped us on some set pieces, that was good to see," he said.
But Bradley's biggest concern will be the condition of defender Onyewu who was at fault for the first Czech goal, failing to jump and challenge Sivok for his header. Onyewu looked awkward at times and not surprisingly, after seven months out, was far from the commanding figure before his injury.
The United States also have Slovenia and Algeria in its Group C.
In Dublin, Paraguay's preparations suffered a minor blow with a 1-2 defeat by Ireland. Paraguay, which led the long South American qualification campaign throughout 2008 before finishing in third place, controlled much of the half but created few openings despite striker Rodolfo Gamarra looking lively on just his third cap.
The Paraguayans are in Group F matches with Slovakia, New Zealand and holders Italy.
In Austria, Nigeria began its World Cup preparations with an error-strewn and uncoordinated 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in a match it was fortunate not to lose in coach Lars Lagerback's debut.
US coach Bob Bradley rested many of his likely starters but gave a run-out to key central defender Oguchi Onyewu, who had been sidelined since a knee operation in October and looked well short of match fitness.
The States, which faces England in its World Cup opener on June 12, took the lead in the 17th minute through Maurice Edu but goals from Tomas Sivok (44) and Jan Polak (58) put the Czechs in front.
Herculez Gomez equalized but a shaky American defense conceded twice more as Martin Fenin (77) and then Tomas Necid (90+2) led the Czechs to victory.
Bradley will reduce his 30-man squad to 23 but was looking for players to give him a last minute re-think, but there would seem little scope for adjustment.
"I think for the most part we had good ideas there were certain things that were on the fence and so we will have some discussions tonight and make some tough decisions," said Bradley.
Lengthy lay-off
Midfielder Stuart Holden, another player returning from a lengthy lay-off, created both goals.
His in-swinging free-kick from the left was only flapped at by Czech keeper Petr Cech and allowed Edu to tap in the loose ball. Later, Holden's corner kick was nodded back by defender Clarence Goodson before Gomez headed in at the back post.
Gomez and Brian Ching caused more danger than the first half strike pairing of Eddie Johnson and Edson Buddle and Bradley singled out central defender Clarence Goodson for praise.
"I thought that Clarence Goodson still did a solid job at the back and helped us on some set pieces, that was good to see," he said.
But Bradley's biggest concern will be the condition of defender Onyewu who was at fault for the first Czech goal, failing to jump and challenge Sivok for his header. Onyewu looked awkward at times and not surprisingly, after seven months out, was far from the commanding figure before his injury.
The United States also have Slovenia and Algeria in its Group C.
In Dublin, Paraguay's preparations suffered a minor blow with a 1-2 defeat by Ireland. Paraguay, which led the long South American qualification campaign throughout 2008 before finishing in third place, controlled much of the half but created few openings despite striker Rodolfo Gamarra looking lively on just his third cap.
The Paraguayans are in Group F matches with Slovakia, New Zealand and holders Italy.
In Austria, Nigeria began its World Cup preparations with an error-strewn and uncoordinated 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in a match it was fortunate not to lose in coach Lars Lagerback's debut.
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