Ghana became only the third African team to reach the quarterfinal stage of the world cup after a 2-1 extra-time win over the USA in Rustenburg last night. Having beaten S. Korea, earlier on in the day, Uruguay would be facing the winner of this encounter. Ghana are the only African team to have progressed to this stage of the competition, in what has been a largely disappointing campaign on African soil, therefore their victory did not just come as a victory for them but for the whole of Africa too.
Kevin Prince-Boateng got the match up and running, nice and early as he took advantage of some poor American defending to score in the 5th minute. He shot from 18 yards out with Tim Howard left berating his defenders as Ghana looked the stronger side early on. They were able to keep the ball, get their passing going, move freely and work their way in between the lines. The US were not having their best opening half, as they left far too many gaps and failed to close the Ghana players down properly. Their uncertain and hesitant defending left them far too reliant on keeper, Howard as Asamoah had a good shot, well-saved. The Americans had a chance of their own however, when Findlay got his shot away after some good work by Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, but Kingson was equal to it. Ghana looked as though they were going to run away with it, but could not capitalise on their early lead. The US coach, Bob Bradley was, unlike his defenders, not the least bit hesitant about making big decisions including taking off Clark in the 30th minute of the game.
At the start of the second half, he replaced Findley with the impressive and very lively Benny Feilhaber, who immediately rewarded his coach with a goal. Ghana had become somewhat stale after scoring so early, and had seemed to have lost some of their gusto in getting forward. They invited pressure on themselves, and eventually the pressure told as the Americans, as they have done on so many occasions, came from 1-0 down to level the scores. Jonathon Mensah, who had not looked too great defensively, felled Dempsey in the box. It was a stonewaller of a penalty and a piledriver of a shot by Landon Donovan who saw the ball come in of the post with the keeper beaten. It was just the boost that the Americans needed and they ventured forward with greater purpose and endeavour as they tried to score another. If it wasn't for Kingson, the game could have been won by the Americans, as first Altidore, and later Bradley tried their luck at goal.
Altidore probably had his side's best chance to score, after latching onto a long ball and running in behind the Ghanaian defence, only to be brought to ground by some last-ditch defending, and seeing his shot go wide. As the game looked to be heading into extra-time, the Ghanaians were once again back in the match and looked physically stronger than their American counterparts.
Extra time did indeed beckon, and it wasn't too long before we saw another goal. This time it was by the Rennes forward Gyan, who has also looked very influential this year. He was able to control a long ball exquisitely on his chest, before taking his time to shoot and score the winning goal. It was then all about keeping the ball for Ghana, not doing anything too reckless or too stupid, and making sure they didn't become complacent or lazy at the back. The USA were tired and could not find a reply, even though they have come from behind to win so many times before. Gyan's goal was enough to send Ghana through to the quarters; but for the USA it was time to return home.
Credit must be given to the USA for the way they fought right until the end and for their never-say-die attitude. That's the attitude and spirit that got them to the top of Group C, and to the last 16, and they should be proud at least for how much they achieved, coming from a country where football or "soccer" is such a particularist sport. Perhaps the national team will increase the interest of the sport there, and they will come back much stronger next time. As for Ghana, well they will be thrilled to have made it, not only for them, but for their continent. It gives the Africans something to keep cheering about, and you can be sure they will have the most support come the quarterfinal tie against Uruguay. Ghana, will be missing Mensah and Ayew who were booked in yesterday's game. Ayew will be a big loss for them, and they need to sort out their centre-back pairing, because the two young centre-backs looked quite unsteady at times last night. Still, with all the support they will be getting, Ghana will be hoping to do Africa proud by becoming the first ever African nation to get to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
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