World Cup 2010: Ghana Beat USA to Reach Quarter-Final
The self-proclaimed greatest nation of the world, with former President Bill Clinton and Rolling Stones Star Mick Jagger watching, U.S.A, were defeated by Ghana in a match that decided who would play Uruguay in the first Quarter-Final of the World Cup.
The United States finished top of a group that contained England, which meant that they were rated as favourites for this game. Ghana, on the other hand, finished just below Germany in their group, but interestingly only scored two goals, both from penalties. With a place in the Quarter-Finals up for grabs, though, both teams were looking to put their best foot forward and claim the prize.
The match started off at a blistering pace, with Ghana enjoying the majority of the possession and putting together some slick passing moves. It only took 6 minutes for them to take the lead as the USA Midfielder, Clark, gave the ball away on the half way line. There was still a lot of work for Kevin-Prince Boateng to do and as he raced with the ball towards the penalty area and scored with a low shot at the Goalkeeper's near-post. The positioning of the USA Goalkeeper, Tim Howard, was questionable there but it was a powerful shot by Boateng and deserved full credit.
Ghana were completely dominating the play. Passing the ball with great conviction and breaking up the play, when the Americans tried to put an attack together. It took all of 23 minutes for the U.S.A to create their first real chance, as Dempsey found Bradley unmarked on the left side of the penalty area but his cut back was intercepted by the Ghana Goalkeeper Kingston.
Bob Bradley, the USA coach, made the first change of the game in the 31st minute, as he took off Ricardo Clark for Maurice Edu. It appeared to be a tactical change rather than once forced by injury. Clark had lost the ball for the Ghana goal and his performance had not improved since then, so it was a smart change by the coach.
After a poor clearance from Mensah in the 35th minute, Findley was put through on goal by a very well-weighted pass from Dempsey. Findley tried to find the goal with a low shot to the keeper's near-post but his effort was saved by the excellent Kingston.
Ghana nearly doubled their lead two minutes later after a superb flick-on by Gyan put Asamoah through on goal. Tim Howard reacted very well to his shot, though, and the danger was averted.
The first half ended at 1-0. The Ghanaians looked good value for their lead but as the half wore on the USA team came back into it.
In the second half, the United States came back into the game with a greater degree of attacking intent. The Ghanaians at this point were just looking to settle for the one goal lead. This was a dangerous strategy, one that has backfired on a number of teams very spectacularly in the knock-out stages.
The pressure paid off in the 62nd minute, when after a wonderful piece of skill by Dempsey allowed him to take the ball into the penalty area. Just as he was about to set himself up to shoot on goal, Mensah brought him down with a very rash tackle. The result was a penalty for the states and a yellow card for Mensah, who really should have done better there.
Donovan stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake as Kingston went the wrong way, with the ball going in off the post. The score was now 1-1 with the match heading into extra time.
Ghana had lost their shape and it looked like it was only a matter of time before the USA take the lead in this game. In the 80th minute, Altidore almost scored after being put through on goal, but his shot went wide as he fell to the ground, claiming he had been fouled. The referee waived away the appeals and signaled for a goal-kick.
The 90 minutes, and injury time, ended with the score at 1-1.
The match appeared to be heading for penalties, which neither team wanted because the penalty shoot-out is a lottery, so both teams pushed for a winner in extra time. Ghana appeared to have got that in the 3rd minute of extra time, as Gyan scored a wonderful goal to make it 2-1. After the ball was cleared by Ayew, Gyan remained calm and stayed on his feet after a challenge from Bocanegra, and then moved past DeMerit, before powerfully shooting the Goalkeeper Howard to the delight of the Ghanaian faithful.
In the second period of extra time, the Ghanaians were calmer, retaining the ball in key areas and stopping the USA from gaining control of the game. There was also some play-acting, in order to waste time which was a pity, since it undermined the effort the Ghanaians had put into the game.
The game ended 2-1 to Ghana after extra time, which means the Americans go home. Ghana will play Uruguay for a place in the semi-final, after a smashing victory over the U.S.
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