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On June 17, the second round of matches will begin for the teams of Group E. In the first match of Group E, Italy, currently in second place after defeating Ghana 2-0 on Monday, will face the United States team, who suffered a painful loss to the Czechs with a score of 3-0 in their first match, putting them at the bottom of Group E.
Group E
Czech Republic - Ghana
Location: Rheinenergie Stadion, Cologne (capacity: 46,000)
Time: June 17, 19:00 Lithuanian time
Head-to-Head Matches
These teams have never met before. Interestingly, as an independent country, Czech Republic, like Ghana, is a World Cup debutant.
Predictions
Although many consider the Czech footballers as favorites in this match, we should not underestimate the "Black Stars." Ghana has shown why they made it to the World Cup. On the other hand, Czech Republic demonstrates high-class gameplay, defends well, and, as shown in the match against the U.S., attacks even better. Especially when striker Milan Baroš joins the team.
First Matches
Czech Republic: In their first match of the championship, the Czechs faced the U.S. footballers. After Koller's goal in the 5th minute, the Americans could not recover. The Czechs defeated them with a score of 3-0. New London "Arsenal" acquisition Tomáš Rosický added two more goals (in the 36th and 76th minutes).
Ghana: Facing the Italian national team, the African team appeared too strong. Italy started this championship with a 2-0 victory due to the lackluster performance of the African country.
Opinions
Czech Republic: Czech national team coach Karel Brückner remains optimistic, even though his team will start the match against Ghana without two main strikers, Milan Baroš and Jan Koller.
"Although our current lineup is not the best, there is confidence within the team." - said Brückner.
Baroš is still recovering from a foot injury, and Koller pulled a tendon during the match against the U.S.
The Czech coach hopes that Tomáš Rosický, who scored twice against the U.S., will continue his excellent performance in the World Cup.
Ghana: Although one of the main weapons of the Czech Republic national team is named Pavel Nedvěd, Ghana coach Ratomir Dujković stated that they do not focus more on this player than on other Czech national team members.
"We mark him as someone who can cause trouble. However, Nedvěd is not the only dangerous player in the Czech national team." - noted the coach.
Although Ghana suffered a defeat in the first match of the championship, the players remain in high spirits.
"A team that lost their first match can still advance from the group stage and perform well in the later stages." - the team captain Stephen Appiah expressed optimism.
Injuries and Tactics
Czech Republic: In the match, we will definitely not see neither Milan Baroš nor Jan Koller. Both these strikers are injured, so experienced Vratislav Lokvenc should play in the attack of the 4-5-1 formation.
Ghana: There are no injured players. The starting lineup is likely to remain unchanged, but the tactics will change - the team's midfielders will have to attack more and help create opportunities for strikers Matthew Amoah and Asamoah Gyan.
Possible Lineups
Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky, Plasil, Lokvenc.
Ghana: Kingston, Paintsil, Kuffour, Mensah, Pappoe, Muntari, Essien, Appiah, Addo, Gyan, Amoah.
