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Signing a few weeks before the tournament for the Premiership club was said by the man himself to be a dream come true, however he and his Eastern European team mates can be delighted with their peformance today as they eased past the USA who seemed to lack somewhat of a goal threat in their first game.
With both sides knowing tough opposition in Ghana and Italy stand in their way of a second round place it was important to get off to a good start. Both sides passed the ball round well but it was the Czech's who made a great start through an early goal from Jan Koller.
Unfortunately for the big striker his evening was soured as he was taken off in the first half after a suspected pulled hamstring, however while he was on the pitch it did not take long for him to become a threat to the American backline. A beautifully floated cross from the right was the invitation he needed to head his side into the lead inside ten minutes.
With Rosicky and a revitalised Nedved running the show in the middle Reyna the USA captain was having his work cut out attempting to mark two players with seemingly no fixed position. It was Nedved who played an intergral part in the Rosicky's first pressuring the defense with a cross which was poorly cleared by Eddie Pope. The ball fell nicely to the midfielder who smashed the ball past Keller in the US goal with a thumping drive.
With the game pretty much won in the first half the States looked to get their big players into the game, but well shacked by the Czech defense Beasley and Donovan could provide little service for target man Mcbride, who despite his hard work saw little off the ball through out the game.
The Czech's recieved a double shock before half time with the withdrawl of Koller through injury and a wake up call strike from midfielder Reyna which hit the post. With Peter Cech beaten the ball rebounded to safety and despite much posession the USA could not mount a serious attack on the Czech's goal.
In the second half Bruce Arena used substitutes to brighten up the game but still full of energy despite the hot sun the Czech always had two covering players harassing the player in posession. This strategy earnt them much joy as the USA who were struggling to create as it was suffered from being hurried as a result.
With the game winding down Rosicky blasted another long range effort towards the goal however this time he hit the bar rather than the back of the net. The Czechs seemed to be easing towards a victory and it seemed as though the result was a case of how many.
The USA still looking to get themselves back into the game still lacked an end product and could do nothing but watch on as Rosicky got his second of the game with a cool finish from close range which he slotted past the keeper with the outside of his foot. Played through by Nedved the Juventus played looked to be back to his best afeter coming out of Internation retirement to play at the World Cup.
Even in the dying stages the Czechs refused to settle for two and with good work from winger Poborsky they nearly extended their lead. His volley was just off target and once more pinned the USA back into their own half.
With the three points safely secured the Czechs made changes to give fresh legs a chance and with Italy looking out of form and Ghana deemed to be the weakest team in the group they believe that the chance may be there to win Group E.