Ghana Vs USA Can Landon Donovan win it for USA : Africa World Cup
Two teams under the radar in the World Cup. One is the last country left out of Africa and the other just barely made it out of the group stage on a dramatic stoppage time goal. One of them will continue to ride the magic carpet of the World Cup while the other goes home.
This seems like a match-up that not many would have expected. Not many people expected the United States to finish on top of their group but they did. They went from near-elimination to jubilation in a matter of seconds. With England defeating Slovenia 1-0 in their final group game, the United States were in a scoreless tie with a pesky Algerian team in the dying minutes of the game. In an ending truly fit for an American Hollywood Blockbuster, Captain Landon Donovan raced into the box and fired home a loose ball into the net to give the Americans a 1-0 victory. As a result, the United States not only made it past the group stage but they took first place in Group C.
Ghana was not given much of a chance by many, despite being the only African team to advance past the group stage four years ago. As you may remember, Ghana accomplished that thanks to a stunning 2-0 victory over then ranked No.2 team the Czech Republic, and then a 2-1 victory over the States in their last group match. It truly was a shock as Ghana made it out of a group featuring eventual World Cup Champion Italy, No.2 ranked Czech Republic, and then No.4 ranked USA. Ghana’s run came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the round of 16.
Now, in 2010, many overlooked Ghana in their group. The absence of star player Michael Essien essentially caused many to count Ghana out before their World Cup even got started. Ghana finished second place behind Germany with four points, both goals produced off penalty kicks by Asamoah Gyan. Ghana opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over Serbia thanks to a late converted penalty by Gyan. They also tied Australia 1-1 thanks to an equalizer by another Gyan penalty kick. They then held on for a 1-0 defeat to Germany which was enough to advance past the group stage.
It seems that Ghana and the United States have headed in opposite directions coming into this game. Ghana sidestepped their way into the knockout stage, while the United States appeared to be heading for disaster in the game in which they trailed 2-0 to Slovenia. The Americans clawed back for a 2-2 tie and probably deserved the win, as the go-ahead goal was controversially called back.
Without their best player Essien, Ghana will rely on the man that has carried their offence thus far, Gyan. Gyan thinks the Black Stars are up for a tough test: “The Americans are a very good team. They expend a lot of energy and are strong physically. But we too have good players. It is for that that we have so much self-confidence,” he said.
While it is disappointing for Africa to only have one representative in the knockout stage, Gyan sees it as a big opportunity: “We are very happy (to have qualified), even if we wanted to have other African teams come through as well.” “We are on the right path and we are representing our continent, which makes us very happy.”
Ghana is Africa’s last hope to win the continent’s first World Cup and it would be something special if they can eventually pull it off.
It would be equally impressive and very special if the USA can become the first CONCACAF team to win the World Cup. The Americans are building a lot of confidence and truly believe they can win this tournament. Donovan thinks he has a special team with him: "I think we now have a really good group of guys that believe they can pull off anything, and these three games have boosted that feeling even more," he said.
These two teams truly are both inspirational and it’s a shame that one will have to go home. Most likely, it’s the old story of the team who wants it the most who will get the win.
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