Monday, May 21st, 2012
Asamoah Gyan scored a left-foot strike in extra time to send Ghana to the quarter-finals against rivals the United States.
This is the second time the African side have beaten the United States in the World Cup in their two meetings so far. Having dumped the United States in their meetings, the first dumping was four years ago in Germany when the United States needed a win to send them through but eventually lost to Ghana 2-0.
Kevin Prince-Boateng scored the first goal after five minutes but the goal was cancelled after Landon Donovan’s 62nd minute goal and it ended up as 1 – 1 at full-time. The game was then brought to extra time and just after 3 minutes into the game Asamoah Gyan scored a superb left foot strike which was worthy of winning any game.
The win was rewarded for Ghana’s talents and power at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg which had a thrilling encounter. The sole surviving African nation must now fancy their chances of creating an even bigger ripple at this tournament, with Uruguay awaiting them in the last-eight.
Ex-president of the United States Bill Clinton took a flight from the US to South Africa just to watch this match – and also sitting beside Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, who might well have made his plans expecting England to have topped Group C and been playing down the road from their training headquarters.
Bob Bradley’s team had stymied those plans of topping Group C but it was made very clear to the fans that the Ghana side would be stretched by (Ghana’s) pace.
The Black Stars could hardly have made a more stunning start. Portsmouth’s Boateng picked up the ball just inside his own half, slalomed past three defenders and unleashed a left-foot shot which flew past Howard. The goalkeeper watched the ball slide into the goal while the Africans celebrated their first goal in the match.
It was Ghana’s first goal at this World Cup from open play, having beaten Serbia and drawn with Australia in the group phase courtesy of two penalties. But Boateng’s strike demonstrated their firepower and they might have added to their lead with Gyan, who plays for French club Rennes, a constant threat.
So superior were Ghana in that first period that after 31 minutes a concerned USA coach Bob Bradley substituted midfielder Ricardo Clark, who had received an early booking, and brought on Maurice Edu.
The Americans picked up the tempo immediately and could have equalised after 35 minutes when Robbie Findley raced clear only to see his right-foot shot smartly saved by goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
The USA came out after half-time, however, with a more determined, more attacking attitude and the excellent Kingson was straight into the action, forced to pull off a splendid save from Benny Feilhaber.
With Fulham’s Clint Dempsey at the heart of their good work the Americans surged forward and they received their reward after 62 minutes. Dempsey was the architect, weaving his way through the Ghana defence into the penalty area where he drew the challenge and was brought down by defender Jonathan Mensah.
Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai pointed to the spot and Los Angeles Galaxy’s Donovan stepped up to slide home his third goal in four matches.
The USA dream appeared back on, especially as they are a team who make a habit of stirring comebacks. They had their chances. Jozy Altidore might have done better when clear after 80 minutes but he spooned his effort wide under pressure from a defender.
So to a frantic extra-time and Gyan’s stunning strike which sent the USA home and Ghana into ecstasy.
Tags: Asamoah Gyan, Bob Bradley, Ghana, USA, World Cup Results