Judgement day for Ghana…Sparkling
stars set for another history against United States
By Ben Memuletiwon from Germany
Thursday,
June 22, 2006
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Photo:
Sun News Publishing
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Ghana's World Cup dreams are sky-high after producing the
shock result of the tournament, but making the fantasy real
will require another impressive performance today against
the United States of America.
The Black Stars, who stunned the Czech Republic 2–0,
will reach the second round, and a possible showdown with
reigning champions, Brazil, by defeating the Americans in
the Group E match, one the Americans must win for any chance
to advance.
"The chemistry is right and it's working out well,"
midfielder Otto Addo said. "If we beat the USA, anything
is possible."
A draw might be enough to send the Africans into the round
of 16 depending on goal-difference scenarios and the result
of Thursday's Italy-Czech Republic match.
But Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic, a 60-year-old Serbian who
calls this the most important match of his life, made it clear
his Cup debutantes prefer to settle matters themselves in
the only group where all teams can still advance.
"They have to worry. The USA will suffer because we are
strong and we are not afraid of anyone," he said. "Ghana
is young and tough. We won't play for a draw. We always play
offensive football and we play to win."
U.S coach Bruce Arena knows Ghana's strengths all-too well,
from Chelsea midfield maestro Michael Essien to their fleet-footed
forwards.
"Hopefully, we can deal with their team speed. That's
my biggest concern," Arena said. "They have a very
competitive squad, one of the best players in the tournament
is Essien. They are a little bit wide open."
U.S midfielder Landon Donovan said it would be vital for the
Americans to disrupt Ghana, likely with the physical style
used in a 1–1 draw with Italy that saw three ejections
for only the fourth time in World Cup history.
"Speed is a big factor. They are very athletic. They
will try to use that to their advantage," Donovan said.
"When they play with a lot of rhythm and they are allowed
to play, they are a very good team. Our goal has to be not
to let that happen."
Ghana's Matthew Amoah, a Borussia Dortmund forward, is ready
for a U.S defence that features Oguchi Onyewu, a centre back
of Nigerian heritage.
"The U.S play quick football but we have had time to
prepare," Amoah said.
Ghana's Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan and U.S starters Eddie
Pope and Pablo Mastroeni will miss the match because of card
suspensions.
Gyan will be sidelined after receiving a yellow for taking
a penalty kick too early against the Czechs after hearing
a whistle from the stands, a fate Arena dubbed absurd, even
though it might help the US coach's cause.
"I thought that was shocking. I think that's wrong and
a great player like this is out of an important game for his
team," Arena said.
"There has been too much of that. I don't think there
has been any consistency from one game to the next. Teams
will have to make adjustments.
"The cards are excessive, I believe. It's just too much.
They have taken some good players out of some games."
Essien, Addo, Derek Boateng and Habib Mohamed have one yellow
card each for Ghana, and would miss the knockout round opener
if they are cautioned again. US captain Claudio Reyna and
Onyewu are in the same situation.
"It seems like they are handing out yellow cards for
fun," said U.S defender Carlos Bocanegra. "Our guys
carrying yellow cards can't worry about that. They have to
carry on and win this game."
FIFA will be watching Ghana defender John Pantsil, after he
pulled an Israeli flag from his sock and waved it at cameras
to celebrate goals in the Czech win. The team apologized for
the move by Pantsil, who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
"It was not an official message from the Ghanaian team,"
spokesman Randy Abbey said after furious Egyptian reaction.
"We're just here to play football."
While the U.S team struggles for attention at home, Ghanaians
know they carry the hopes of a continent with them in the
quest to advance.
"It would be fantastic for us," Boateng said. "We're
looking forward to that because it's very important for us
and the whole country, the whole of Africa."
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