FIFA World Cup 2010: Uruguay Vs Ghana, Fans Reaction- Uruguay make their way through to the Semis after 40 years
In a day of two stunning encounters, the world cup sees the elimination of five time world champions Brazil and the only African hope Ghana in the quarterfinal of the greatest sporting spectacle of the year, being staged in South Africa.
The people in Accra who had camped in big numbers to see their team make history at the biggest football stage of them all, and reach the semi-finals for the first time. Unfortunately, though they blew away their chances in extra time and penalty kicks to the disappointment of millions in their country and the entire continent.
"It's part of the game, you know, anything can happen in football...they have spoiled our penalties but still Ghanaians we love them," said one fan philosophically.
The Black stars were the only shining light in what was a depressing tournament for the Africans, staging the World cup for the first time in their history. The Ghanaian Black Stars, gave renewed hopes to the poorest continent in the world by scoring a 2-1 second round win over the United States, another match that was settled in extra time.
The Black stars were offered a $50,000 bonus to win Friday's match, as an incentive to topple the South Americans, yet fate had something else in store for them. Despite special prayer sessions all over the country the team fell agonizingly close, missing out on a win after a penalty kick was missed in the second half of a dramatic second half that saw Uruguayan striker Saurez sent off.
Amid the disappointment of the Ghana fans, their team’s outstanding run in the tournament would turn a new leaf in their soccer history. "Ghana is a strong country, you understand, no matter what, we are champions and I am proud to be a Black Star," said a confident fan.
Meanwhile on the streets of Montevideo in Uruguay, fans came out dancing in joy and celebrated their team’s dramatic win for many hours as their team finally showed the form that the country was renowned for. Some sixty years ago, when the team last won the world cup in 1950 edging out hosts Brazil in a stunning final played in front of 174000 roaring Brazilian fans in Rio.
Over in local restaurants and shops, thousands watched from a big screen television and went berserk with their celebrations as soon as the team won 4-2 after a penalty shoot out that went to the wire.
The match was full of tantalizing football and was not an easy watch for the South American, as they bit their nails when Ghana took an early lead in added time at the end of the first half, as Sulley Muntari scored from a spectacular goal from long range.
The South Americans equalised through a free kick just outside the area on the left and Forlan struck the ball perfectly inside the second half scoring beyond the despairing reach of the African goal-keeper.
At this juncture, the Uruguayan coach Tabarez replaced Sebastian Abreu after 76 minutes on the clock, as they surged ahead for the winner in tough circumstances, in a bid to avoid the penalty shootout.
Montevideo erupted with celebrations as soon as the penalty kicks ended with the South American going through the last four and cementing their spot, as they bid for their third win in the world cup, and the first in the last sixty years.
"We're going to the finals!"
”We're going to win! We're going to win! We're going to win!
As we are strong and we have Charruan (indigenous people of South America) heart. Everyone is euphoric, happy. This is joyous. Let's go Uruguay!” as the South Americans went ecstatic after their historic win.
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