Ghana Archive

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Ghana vs USA

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 27, 2010

When the tournament started and i tipped Ghana as a dark horse to advance to the knockout stages and go further than any other African nation-many thought i was hopeful rather than certain.Cameroon,Nigeria and Ivory Coast amongst the powerhouses in Africa and who would of pictured the wonderful scenes when they qualified into the last 16.Today they faced an American side that epitomises Spirit,heart and a never say die attitude setting up an exciting encounter.

Ghana became only the third African side to reach the quarter-final stage at a World Cup after Asamoah Gyan smashed home an extra-time winner to knock out the USA.
The Black Stars, the only remaining African team in the tournament, have emulated Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002, and will play Uruguay at Soccer City on 2 July.
Ghana, who defeated the USA 2-1 in a crucial group match at the 2006 World Cup, appeared to have the measure of Bob Bradley’s team after Kevin-Prince Boateng gave them an early lead in Rustenburg with a low strike.Watching the courage and drive on show was phenomenal with two nations sparring in a Boxing style fashion.Landon Donovan has been outstanding and highlighted as the face of the States in this tournament and rightfully so always stepping up to the plate when needed.In today’s game one player stood out for me in the USA side-being battered,pushed,fouled and kicked and still got up to push his side forward and that was Clint Dempsey.His determined run provoked Ghana to challenge him as he slipped the ball past John mensah and side stepped the other Mensah to win a penalty for his nation.Donovan took responsibility and sent goalkeeper Kingston the wrong way placing the penalty kick of the post.The Americans profligacy was punished in the third minute of extra-time when Gyan showed strength and composure to control a long ball forward with his chest and bury his strike from a wide angle despite the close proximity of two defenders.Ghana’s victory will ensure their stock continues to rise after their appearance in the African Cup of Nations final with a team that included players who had lifted the World Cup at Under-20 level in 2009. Never mind the American dream for vengeance, this was the Fifa dream in terms of what the global governing body wishes the World Cup to represent; a contest between two emerging football nations on the grandest of stages.Ghana to beat Uruguay and reach the Semi finals of the World Cup 2010?NO never……Watch this Space ladies and Gentleman The Africans didn’t just come to party -they came to leave a mark on this competition and long may it continue…
Ghana 2 USA 1

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Germany vs Ghana

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 24, 2010

In my opinion this Group deserves a group Post as its been an unbelievable roller coaster ride for Australia,Germany,Serbia and Ghana leaving this group wide open to advance to the finals.Australia opened the tournament with a damaging 4-0 defeat to Germany who stamped their authority on the group and were bookmarked as a threat in the competition.Australia were hurt bad not only by the result or the manner they lost but to also miss the presence of their inspirational Captain Tim Cahil. Ghana kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia enticing us with their determination and youthful excitement,being the youngest team in the tournament at the average age of 24.Ghana and Australia canceled each other in a draw but the surprise result of the group came from Serbia who defeated Germany and deserved the victory.The group was starting to shape itself as my underdogs in the Competition Ghana were proving to be a handful with the Germans  favourites to top the group despite their blip to Serbia.What was nice to see was the Siblings  greeting each other before the game as the two nations locked horns.Kevin Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng had to put family aside as the two nations prepared to advance to the next round with their family split in the middle between which nation to support.In what was a thrilling encounter Group D was brought to a conclusion with the Germans defeating Ghana 1-0.

Ozil who helped demolish the Australians in the 1st game was extremely influential again scoring the winner with a fantastic strike  from outside the Area.Ghana did show positive signs in committing players forward and hitting the Germans on the counter.Captain Phillip Lahm received Criticism from some ex professionals on his leadership qualities but surely would of silenced them after an inspiring performance throwing his body on the line and showing the commitment any Manager would be proud of. Germany 1 Ghana 0

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Ghana vs Australia

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 20, 2010

Ghana could only draw 1-1 with Australia despite the Socceroos having Harry Kewell sent off in the 24th minute at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.A thrilling encounter between the two sides with Australia looking to erase the nightmare of the first game without the inspiring captain Tim Cahill.However,in steps in Harry Kewel who has had his critics despite his talent and performing in the big games.Pim Verbeek’s men responded well against Ghana as they took an early lead via Brett Holman following a howler from goalkeeper Richard Kingson.But the game swung back in Ghana’s favour 13 minutes later when Kewell was penalised for a handball on the goalline to allow Asamoah Gyan to score his second penalty of the World Cup.There is something about watching Ghana score in the finals and its not just the celebration but the passion and pride which is infectious amongst the Ghanaian players.Being the youngest side in the tournament at an average age of 24 their talent is there to be admired.

I hope they can match that in the later stages with maturity because that is just as important and could be the key to them progressing in the competition.Australia did hold their own despite going a man down and the nation labelled the “black stars” couldn’t capitalise.Quincy Owuso Abeye-the former Arsenal youngster did add  energy and urgency to the team coming close to scoring from long range against Mark Shwarzer.With a game that averaged 20 fouls each from both sides there wasn’t that much fluidity but a fair result for both nations overall.Ghana top the group with four points but the Germans and Serbians are right behind them and with a close eye on group C-fans will be anxious to see who faces who in the next round. Ghana 1 Australia 1

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Ghana vs Serbia

By
Omar Al-Duri
– June 14, 2010

Alot has been said about African teams in the competition and despite in recent years Cameroon,Nigeria and Ivory Coast normally being frontline my favourites are Ghana out of that representing bunch.Being the first African country to qualify with two games to spare and reaching the final of the african nations cup only to lose by the one goal against Egypt.Their opponents today Serbia technically a debutant as the Republic of Serbia has only existed since 2006 do enter the Tournament with a few star players such as the solid Defender Vidic and the towering 6 feet 7 inches plus ZIGIC. A game that not much was expected from in terms of talking point struck at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium when Aleksandar Lukovic was sent off for a second yellow card in the 74th minute.Serbia seemed to respond well to the loss, but disaster struck for the Europeans when substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic handled in the area.

Gyan stepped up to slam the ball home and give Ghana a crucial win, while Serbia will have to regroup for their next match. Ghana 1 Serbia 0

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