（2006年 6月17日 ）

　　加納隊在首場比賽中，就遇到了3屆世界盃冠軍意大利隊。2比0的結果意味著他們在與捷克隊的比賽中，需要更加努力，並要發揮出自己的最佳水平。作為世界盃的新軍，儘管隊內有很多才華橫溢的球員，但如果他們想保留晉級的希望，他們至少得獲得一分，而且，必須吸取與意大利隊首場比賽失利的教訓，要善於把握機會。

　　加納隊主帥拉托米爾杜伊科維奇説：“我相信我們能從與意大利的比賽中吸取很多的教訓，我們會在與捷克的比賽中發揮更好，並且可以破門得分。我以前就説過這一點，而且我始終堅信，我們可以從小組中出現，並且，我們的球隊會到達半決賽！”

　　鏈結：http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060616/1/7on6.html

　　原文：

　　Now or never for the Black Stars

　　17 June 2006

　　by FIFAworldcup.com

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　　Ghana's FIFA World Cup? debut against three-times world champions Italy was a real baptism of fire. A 2-0 defeat means the Africans will need a much-improved display against the fancied Czech Republic, also newcomers on the prestigious global stage, if they are to stand a chance of progressing. As for Karel Bruckner’s charges, they will be hoping to follow their authoritative opening performance against the United States with a second win that would secure their place in the last 16.

　　The colours

　　Czech Republic: red shirt, blue shorts, blue socks

　　Ghana: blue shirt, white shorts, white socks

　　How things stand:

　　In the view of many observers, the Czech Republic performed as impressively as anyone in the first round of games. Easy 3-0 winners over the USA, Pavel Nedved and Co could hardly have made a better start to their Germany 2006 adventure. Because of the experience of their players, it is easy to forget that this FIFA World Cup represents Czech Republic’s first outing on the world stage since the country gained independence from the former Czechoslovakia.

　　While another win against the West African nation would secure their place in the second round, Bruckner faces the headache of having to do without his first-choice strikers Jan Koller and Milan Baros, both of whom are injured. Consequently, the Czech side’s attacking responsibilities will rest on the shoulders of the aerially imposing Vratislav Lokvenc.

　　The Ghanaians, meanwhile, made a considerably less commanding start to their inaugural FIFA World Cup campaign. In the Black Stars' defence, their first match pitted them against Italy, one of the prime contenders for the title. Despite showing some good stuff, Michael Essien and Co had no answer to the typically pragmatic approach of the Azzurri, who quashed Ghanaian hopes with a goal just before the break and another from a late counterattack. If they are to obtain their much-needed first points of the competition against the Czechs, the Black Stars must show that they have learned their first European lesson.

　　Past meetings

　　These two teams have never met before in either a friendly or official match.

　　The duel

　　Tomas Rosicky-Michael Essien: In the absence of forwards Koller and Baros, the two leading lights of the Czech attack, Tomas Rosicky took matters into his own hands to fire his team to victory against the United States. By serving as playmaker and double goalscorer, the Arsenal-bound midfielder showcased his tremendous ability and will need to be closely supervised by Ratomir Dujkovic’s men.

　　In his attacking-midfield berth, Rosicky is likely to come up against Michael Essien, and the tireless midfield powerhouse who shone like a beacon in the defeat by Italy will be desperate to deliver not only a good performance but also the right result. Forced to go for the win, the Ghanaians will be counting on the Chelsea man not only to stifle Rosicky, but also to threaten his club colleague Petr Cech’s goal.

　　So before they lock horns in next season’s English Premiership, Rosicky and Essien will square up on the pitch of the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Cologne, with the small matters of Group E supremacy and survival at stake.

　　What they're saying

　　Vratislav Lokvenc, Czech Republic striker: I'm ready. There are 23 players in the squad and we all want to play. Our opponents are a strong side, so we’ll need to keep it tight at the back and hopefully get the first goal.

　　Ratomir Dujkovic, Ghana coach: I believe we can improve on our display against Italy and score goals against the Czech Republic. I’ve said it before and I still believe it: we’ll qualify from this group and reach the semi-finals.

　　作者-岳東興-北京第二外國語學院-英語系

責編：佟杉杉