Click here to download the first edition of the 2006 Dawson Fantasy Football newsletter!
DAY 6: 1ST PHASE ENDS, GERMANS WIN LATE
The first phase of group games ended today with two games from Group H and World Cup hosts Germany started the second phase with a 1-0 victory over Poland.
Substitute Oliver Neuville grabbed all three points for the Germans with a late strike to beat Poland 1-0. Poland showed no real goal threat and as a result are most likely out of the tournament, they would have to rely on unlikely results in the rest of the group to go through. Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose had glorious chances but neither could convert. David Odonkor gave the hosts a spark off the bench and provided Neuville with the cross that was put away for the win. Germany are all but through to the next round now, they will play Ecuador next Tuesday.
In the last games of the first group phase today, Spain put in a dominant display as they stuffed Ukraine 4-0. Xabi Alonso converted a Xavi cross with his head to put the Spanish up 1-0. Four minutes later David Villa got his name on the scoresheet with a fantastic free-kick. Villa added another from the penalty spot in the second half, Ukraine's Vashchuk getting sent off for the challenge that lead to it. Fernando Torres wrapped up the game, finishing a wonderful run of play from Spain to put them top of Group H.
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia battled to a 2-2 draw in the 5pm kick-off. Tunisia took the lead on 24 minutes, Jaziri putting them ahead. Saudi Arabia were the stronger team in the second half, though, and soon equalised as Al Kahtani brilliantly converted a Noor cross. Sami Al Jaber appeared in the 82nd minute, this being his fourth World Cup. Just two minutes after his substitution he scored, putting his team up 2-1 late in the game. The Tunisians responded by sending Bolton defender Radhi Jaidi up front and it was him that got the equaliser, neatly heading a Jaziri cross under Zaid's diving body.
DAY 5: BRAZIL EDGE CROATIA, SOUTH KOREA TOP GROUP G
Reigning World Cup champions Brazil started the 2006 competition with 3 points.
Brazil defeated Croatia in Berlin 1-0 to get off to a winning start in Germany 2006. The champions allowed Croatia their fair share of chances although Dida could not be beaten. Brazilian midfielder Kaka scored the only goal of the game, a wonderful 25-yard strike. It was a comfortable victory in the end, but Brazil were less than impressive.
In the day's early kick-off South Korea battled back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to defeat Togo 2-1. Mohamed had put Togo ahead on 31 minutes. A second-half sending off of Togo's Abolo was immediately followed by Lee Chun-Soo's free-kick that rippled the back of the net. Ahn Jung-Hwan put Korea in front and the game finished 2-1.
A disappointing 5pm kick-off saw an uninspiring French performance against Switzerland. 8 players were booked in the match, which finished 0-0.
In injury news, Nemanja Vidic (Serbia & Montenegro) has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup due to injury, which will be a blow to quite a few of your fantasy teams. Also, Jan Koller's injury doesn't appear to be as bad as initially feared, the striker insists he will be available for the second stage should the Czech Republic make it out of Group E.
DAY 4: SOCCEROOS GRAB 3 POINTS, ITALY/CZECHS WIN
Australia topped Group F as they came from behind to beat Japan.
A Shunsuke Nakamura cross found its way into the net when Schwarzer, seemingly impeded, couldn't get to the ball. Tim Cahill appeared as a second-half substitute, grabbing an equaliser and then the go-ahead goal - within 5 minutes of each other. Substitute striker John Aloisi would finish things off with Australia's third in second-half stoppage time to give the Socceroos a 3-1 victory.
In the 5pm kick-off, the Czech Republic comfortably defeated USA 3-0. An early header from Jan Koller put the Czechs in front, Rosicky doubling the lead with a magnificent strike on 36 minutes. Koller would add to the Czechs' injury worries as he was stretchered off in the first half. The USA failed to put up much of a fight as Rosicky scored again to lead his team to the three points.
The other game in Group E today saw an entertaining encounter between Italy and Ghana. The Italians deservedly came out on top 2-0, but Ghana played well and had many chances to score themselves, Michael Essien being their stand-out player. Andrea Pirlo opened the scoring late in the first half with a shot from 20-odd yards that found its way through a box full of players into the far corner. Substitute Iaquinta made it 2, latching on to a misplaced back-pass, rounding the 'keeper and easily slotting it into the net.
ENGLAND HOLD ON FOR THREE POINTS
England opened their 2006 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
A Paraguay own goal was the only one of the game. It came in the third minute of the game, David Beckham swinging in a free-kick that Carlos Gamarra headed into his own net.
A lacklustre second-half display from England saw no more goals and not many chances. Michael Owen was replaced by Stuart Downing in what was described as a 'tactical change' but it didn't help England. Owen Hargreaves also made an appearance, coming off the bench for Joe Cole later in the game. Frank Lampard was awarded Man of the Match.
Also, check out the new poll at the bottom of the page to determine who's DFF entry has the best team name!
DAY 3: HOLLAND, MEXICO & PORTUGAL ALL WIN
Arjen Robben scored the only goal of the game in Sunday's lunchtime kick-off as Holland defeated Serbia & Montenegro in a Group C battle.
Following Holland's 1-0 victory, Day 3 saw Mexico and Portugal top Group D with three points each. Two late Mexico goals sealed a 3-1 win over Iran. Bravo netted twice with Zinha finishing things off. Portugal came away from their opener with all three points as well as they defeated Angola, the game finishing 1-0, Pauleta's early strike being enough.
DAY 2: T&T SURPRISE SWEDEN, ARGIES TOP GROUP C
In the other Group B game today, 10-man Trinidad & Tobago battled to a shock goalless draw with Sweden.
The big talking point of the match was T&T's Avery John being sent off 30 seconds into the second half for a second bookable offense. Sweden were unable to capitalise, though, as Shaka Hislop put on a fantastic display in net for T&T. The underdogs went close to taking the lead when substitute Cornell Glen's shot from a tough angle rattled the crossbar. The game finished 0-0 and the two teams share second place in Group B for now, behind England.
The first game of Group C in the 2006 World Cup featured strong favourites Argentina against a talented Ivory Coast team. An entertaining game saw Ivory Coast put in a great effort, only to see them leave the first half empty-handed, entering the dressing room at half time 2-0 down thanks to strikes from Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola.
Didier Drogba netted late on in the game to give the Africans hope but the Argentines held on and the game finished 2-1.
6-GOAL THRILLER OPENS TOURNAMENT
The 2006 FIFA World Cup kicked off this evening with Germany and Costa Rica producing a six-goal frenzy from Munich. Fantastic strikes from Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings aided a 4-2 German victory in the opener.
Lahm scored early, putting the hosts up by one in the 6th minute with a strike from the corner of the penalty box. Paulo Wanchope pulled Costa Rica level, smartly latching on to a Gomez pass and sending the ball past Lehmann. Two goals from Miroslav Klose put the Germans up by two at 3-1. Wanchope scored again to pull his team close but Torsten Frings fantastically converted a Schweinsteiger free kick to seal the opening-day victory for the host nation.
In the other opening-day game this evening Ecuador upset Poland, ending the day in second place in Group A with a 2-0 victory. Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado netted to grab all three points for Ecuador.
In site news, the teams page has been updated with the record-breaking 63 team entries. All individual pages are now accessible too, simply by clicking on the team name.
| 
