Soccer News of Saturday, 10 December 2005

Source: Reuters

Ghana may surprise, Czech coach warns

PRAGUE, Dec 10 - Both the U.S. and Ghana could cause World Cup shocks following Friday's draw for next year's tournament in Germany, Czech coach Karel Bruckner has warned.

Italy, the United States and the Czech Republic, who all met in the same group in 1990, were brought together again with newcomers Ghana completing Group E.

"It is bad that we do not know the U.S. team and have to play them in the first match," Bruckner told Czech daily Mlada Fronta Dnes.

"It would be better to see them first in action," he said.

Bruckner said Italy were the toughest team in the draw, but added: "I don't want to make a big deal of the draw. We will just play our own game."

The Czechs narrowly qualified for the World Cup by beating Norway in the play-offs.