Wish for the best

June 20, 2009

The United States and Egypt go head-to-head in their final Confederations Cup group match tomorrow in a game that could have a semifinal spot riding on it.
But while victory is a must for the Americans, a draw would be enough to put Egypt through to the semifinals if Brazil beats Italy in the other group game.

"This is like what we did together at the Nations Cup the last two times in Egypt and in Ghana, and now we're seeing the same thing in South Africa here," Egypt forward Mohamed Zidan said. "We are having enough time to prepare well for the games and the coaching staff are also having time to prepare the players."
While Egypt seemed to draw inspiration from its narrow 4-3 loss to Brazil in order to shock Italy 1-0, the United States played well in a 10-man loss to Italy but then buckled against Brazil.

"In these kind of tournaments, it's no different to the World Cup," USA coach Bob Bradley said. "Many of the players have just finished their own seasons and they can be in all different frames of mind. You come together and something can happen in that first game or two and rally everybody and push the team on and be the spark.
"Or it can easily be: now it doesn't go right, there's a little extra pressure, guys start to get nervous."
The United States needs victory and goal difference to swing its way by a barely conceivable amount if it is to edge its way into the next round. But that doesn't mean Bradley is about to employ a gung-ho attack to secure those goals.

US team needs to play the best game that has made in this tournament, sincerely only a miracle would make that United States go to the next round. But to win and to play well would give to the Americans enough confidence to continue facing the following classificatory games toward the World cup in Africa. What do you believe will be the result?