"Offense sells tickets.  Defense wins championships" - Paul "Bear" Bryant

The new legacy of the World Cup-pt.1

(Content © 2010 ZumaPress)

Yesterday's quarterfinal matches between The Netherlands-Brazil and Uruguay-Ghana had to have been the most tense quarterfinal matches in recent history. 2 of the sentimental favorites were eliminated in dramatic fashion. Those footballing fans whose home nation does not have a strong team or a big footballing history, Brazil is their 2nd team while Ghana carried the hopes of a continent who wanted to see the first African WC champions.

The first match of yesterday's took place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as The Clockwork Oranje of Holland defeated Verde-Amarela of Brazil 2-1 in a match that had everything football has to offer. There were yellow cards, a red card, on the ball skill,a goal from a header, a goal from skillful passing and finishing, questionable calls from the referee, an own goal and all of those things created an unbelievable drama unique to football and the World Cup.
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

The result was a surprise but not an upset. Those who watch and know about football, know that The Netherlands can beat any team and that Holland is a football talent factory, its been a matter of bad luck and unfortunate timing that the Dutch have not won a World Cup. Read how the Dutch took down Brazil here.

The 2nd match of the day was as dramatic as it gets in the World Cup. The Black Stars of Ghana, African football's last hope for glory in the 1st African World Cup battled Uruguay to 1-1 score after extra time but not without the most heart-breaking ending to an extra time period in World Cup history.

Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was red carded for intentionally knocking the ball out of the goal with his hand after a furious scramble in the box had the Jabulani headed for the back of the net. Asamoah Gyan, Ghana's top goal scorer who had scored 2 of his 3 tournament goals from the penalty spot stepped up. The PK was at the end of the 2nd extra time period and was the biggest PK in African football history.

(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Ghana's star striker had Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera beaten but his shot hit the crossbar and sailed into the stands. The game ends with Uruguay winning 5-3 on penalties and Ghana, Africa, and those that wanted to see history were completely heart broken.
The Cape Town-based newspaper Weekend Argus headline said "Africa was robbed" in its front page article. "That was the overwhelming feeling after Uruguay beat Ghana, Africa's last World Cup hope."

Musa Badjie, a fan in Gambia said “This is soccer, not handball, the right decision would have been to validate the Ghanaian goal and give a red card to the Uruguayan player who used his hands to push the ball back in the field of play.”

The Ghanian effort inspired an invitation to the home of Nelson Mandela where the Ghanians were consoled and praised by the man known as Madiba. The day after two painful eliminations proved that football especially at the World Cup can be cruel but its from that same pool of emotions that attracts people to football as "The Beautiful Game."

Emotions After 1st Day of WC Quarters

Donovan laments US loss to Ghana
(Zumapress)

For those of you crying or complaining about the national team coming up short in the second round of the World Cup, get over it. Suck it up.

Quit crying.

They did a great job in a tournament where they weren't even given a second look by many teams. They were the team that made Group C not so "EASY". It wasn't as easy a ride as American fans thought it would be either. The US, the proverbial monkeywrench in the plans of every team, did finally meet a team that had what some of the others in Group C did not in Ghana and were exposed.

The other teams in that group seemed like something out of the Wizards of Oz. England (heart), Slovenia (courage), and Algeria (brains) were all on display and the US were able to put all of their excesses of the three and win that group.

Let's face it. The US were the most focused team in the group and the team that showed the most intent in doing some damage. Ok, maybe they were only ahead three minutes out of the 490 they played in the World Cup and that a good part of their success also came at the hands of mistakes of others.

They did everything they had to do, and then some, to get to the stage where they were prior to Ghana. The team was not the most explosive or the biggest threat in any match, but it was their collective spirit that made them threats in any match. Tactically, they were very limited yet their individual desire and athleticism were able to counter anything that was thrown their way.

Maybe they weren't the most pleasing to the eye from a tactical-technical perspective, but their resilience made them a team that fans enjoyed watching- some to tears.

Ghana proved once again that they are the cream of the African crop. It was a team that had the organization and discipline not found in t Algeria; the desire to finish that Slovenia lacked, and the solid play in goal that England has been looking for during the past generation.

Ghana were disruptive in the middle. They shorted their passing circuit and their creation was limited at time. They were the masters of the counter attack, being able to capitalize on US mistakes. The two biggest ones cost the national team a potential quarterfinal spot. But they were able to take advantage of those dreaded early lulls that have had the US playing from behind in several opportunities. This time, just like many others, they came back.

The US pressed on and almost took the lead on a couple of occasions. The big question was how would the US counter back if Ghana would bounce back. The answer was a resounding no, and not because of lack of effort. By the time Asamoah Gyan scored in the 93 minute there was little time as well as little legs left in the US cause.

Now with this feather on their cap, it is time to really start to look at frying bigger fish come 2014.

In this humble servant's opinion, the US ended up in the right round of the tournament. They met their objective of getting out of the group stage and preventing yet another disastrous 2006-like performance. The ride was absolutely crazy and the dream of seeing the game on the mainstream stage was gold for me. Hopefully the team can deliver another magic moment four years from now when they return to the land of that historic win against England.

US Soccer: The good, the bad, the future

Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg was the site of the second match of the day as the encounter featured a matchup of two of the best team nicknames in the tournament. The Stars & Stripes of the United States versus The Black Stars of Ghana. The latter playing for African pride as the only nation alive in the tournament representing the host continent.
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The scoring opened up quickly in the 5th minute when Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng recovered the ball from midfield ran upfield and beat US keeper Tim Howard with a left footed, low shot from just outside the box to give the Black Stars the 1-0 lead.
(REUTERS/David Gray)

The US intensified their attack after falling behind but were thwarted consistently by Ghana keeper Richard Kingson. In the 35th minute, US forward Robbie Findley was sent into the box off a nice through ball from teammate Clint Dempsey. Findley was 1 on 1 with Kingson but the American's low shot was denied with a kick save by Ghana's keeper.

In the second half, the US would get a break in the 60th minute when Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah fouled Dempsey in the box. US #10 Landon Donovan stepped up and buried the PK to give the equalize the match at 1-1.
(Content © 2010 ZumaPress)

The Americans continued to control possession in the 2nd half but couldn't get the game winner due to the exemplary play of Kingson and a stacked Ghana defense. US forward Jozy Altidore had the best opportunity to win the game in the 80th minute when he was in the box and while falling down tried to beat Kingson far post but ball went wide. The match would go into extra time after 90 minutes tied at 1-1.

Ghana struck early in the first extra time period, when forward Asamoah Gyan chased down a long ball that surprised US central defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit. Gyan's 1st touch settled the ball well in the box and his powerful left foot shot beat US keeper Tim Howard for the 2-1 edge.
(REUTERS/David Gray)

The US would dominate possession in the extra time periods but a stacked Ghana defense kept the US from seriously testing Kingson. After 120 minutes of a physical match, the whistle blew with Ghana triumphant by the score 2-1. Ghana became the 3rd African team to advance to the quarterfinals of a World Cup. The Black Stars join The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Italy 1990 and The Lions of Teranga of Senegal in Germany 2002 to reach a WC quarterfinal.

It would be the 2nd consecutive World Cup that The Stars & Stripes would be sent packing by The Black Stars. Ghana will face Uruguay on Friday, July 2nd in Johannesburg at Soccer City Stadium.

Read FIFA's Official US-Ghana Match Report.

Ghana vs. USA: Round of 16 Match Wrap

The 2nd match of the day finalized the 2nd round of matches in Group D as The Black Stars of Ghana faced The Socceroos of Australia. Serbia's surprise 1-0 victory over Germany left the door open for Ghana to take control of the group with a victory at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

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The 1st half was full of fireworks beginning in the 11th minute when Australia scored its first goal of this World Cup when Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson mishandled Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano's free kick and Brett Holman was there to clean up and put the Jabulani into the net and give The Socceroos the 1-0 lead.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

13 minutes later, Australia striker Harry Kewell was sent off for a handball in the box. Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah was in front of goal with his shot headed for goal. Kewell was on the goal line when the ball hit him in the arm, forcing Italian referee Roberto Rosetti to show a red card and reduce Australia to 10 men.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Ghana goal scorer Asamoah Gyan stepped to the PK spot and buried the shot low to the right for the 1-1 equalizer. The dot shot was Gyan's 2nd PK goal of the tournament. The Black Stars almost made the score 2-1 in the 44th minute when midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng shot was headed for goal when Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to get low and deflect the shot wide.

The 2nd half was not as eventful as the first half as Australia did well with 10 men to keep Ghana from scoring. Most of Ghana's attacks were shots from outside the box with the best opportunity coming in 2nd half injury time when substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeyie blasted a shot that Schwarzer parried over the crossbar to preserve the 1-1 draw.

The final matches of this group will take place simultaneously on the 23rd, with Ghana facing Germany in Johannesburg at Soccer City Stadium and Australia taking on Serbia in Nelspruit at Mbombela Stadium.

Click for the FIFA's Official Match Report.

Ghana vs. Australia: Match Wrap

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than a month away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. The next Group D team to breakdown comes from the West African nation of Ghana.

Official Name: Ghana Football Association


Nickname: The Black Stars

FIFA Confederation: CAF (Africa)

FIFA Code: GHA

How They Qualified: 1st place in Group D of African WC Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 2

Best WC Finish: Round of 16, Germany 2006

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 4: 2W - 0D - 2L

Head Coach: Milovan Rajevac

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Abédi Pelé (73)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Abédi Pelé (33)

Brief Footballing History:
The team known as The Black Stars on the continental level are one of the Top 3 African teams of all time having won the African Cup of Nations 4 times and a record 8 ACN finals appearances. In their 1st World Cup in 2006, they advanced out of their group, the senior team is starting to blossom after the successes of their youth sides.

The Ghana U-20 side are the defending FIFA World Youth Championship title holders and have appeared in 3 FIFA WYC final matches. The Under-17 sides have been a major force in FIFA tournaments as well. Ghana's U-17 have won 2 FIFA U-17 World titles and finished in 3rd place or higher in 5 straight tournaments from 1991 to 1999.

Player To Watch:
Ghana's player to watch comes from a legendary footballer and is seen as one of the upcoming talents in African & European club football, his name is André Dede Ayew.

Photo by tv3.com.gh
André is the son of Ghana's greatest player, Abedi Pele Ayew. André is one of the hottest prospects in Europe and under contract with recently crowned French champions, Olympique Marseille. The 20-year old winger/attacking midfielder was named to Ghana's preliminary 30-man squad and was the captain of the Ghana's World Champion Under-20 side. He gained valuable senior team experience by featuring in every match of Ghana's run to the 2010 African Cup of Nations final.

Outlook:
The Black Stars have shown that they can progress out of the group stage of the WC. Their style of play is a physical, grinding style that specializes in 1-0 results and with only 3 players over 30 years old the team is entering their prime. For Ghana to make a deeper run they will have to score more goals. The goals need to come from the creation in midfield from André Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah and the finishing from Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah.

WC Group Schedule:
June 13 vs. Serbia
June 19 vs. Australia
June 23 vs. Germany

Group D Team Breakdowns conclude with Serbia

Ghana - WC Team Breakdown

The African Cup of Nations is one of the best and most emotionally charged national team tournament in the footballing world. The controversial 2010 edition is down its last two teams as The Black Stars of Ghana will face 2-time defending champion, The Pharoahs of Egypt. Here is a preview of what will be a historic 2010 ACN Final.

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The 2010 ACN final features two of the most decorated nations in tournament history, Egypt has 6 titles while Ghana is tied with Cameroon with for the second most titles with 4 each. Egypt & Ghana have appeared in the most finals with being Sunday's final being the 8th time each side has been in the final match. However it is the first time they will face each other in the final. The two sides have played each other twice in previous ACN tournaments. Ghana holds the edge with a 1-0 win in the group stage of the 1992 tourney and a 1-1 draw in the 1970 tournament.

EGYPT
The Pharaohs are seeking to raise the ACN trophy for the 3rd consecutive time. Their elimination from the World Cup has made this tournament their Holy Grail. Their focus on winning their 7th ACN trophy is apparent as they have been dominant allowing only 2 goals in the 5 matches leading up to the final. The Pharaohs have scored at least 2 goals in that same span including a 4-0 destruction in a revenge game against Algeria in the semis.

Despite missing big names like Mohamed Aboutrika and Mido, Egypt continues to play an attractive attacking style typical of African football. Coach Hassan Shehata has overseen a record-breaking Egypt side that are unbeaten in their last 18 African Cup of Nations matches. The attacking trio of Gedo, Ahmad Hassan, and Emad Moteab have been a nightmare for opposing defenses. Anchored in central defense by El-Ahly and national team veteran Wael Gomaa, the defense has been stellar.

GHANA
The Black Stars offer a completely different style to their finals opponent, Ghana has been winning by playing a more disciplined, defensive, grinding style tailored by Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac. Ghana's athletic, physical style was exposed in their first match of the tournament when Côte d'Ivoire beat them 3-1. Since that match, the Black Stars have shut everyone out. No goals allowed as they have grinded out 1-0 victories over Burkina Faso, Angola, and Nigeria to reach the final. Hoffenheim's 21-year old central defender Isaac Vorsah has been a revelation for the Ghanian defense in this tournament.

Offensively, Stade Rennais striker Asamoah Gyan has scored 3 of the team's 4 total goals including the game winners in the quarters versus Angola and in the semis against Nigeria. Gyan and André Ayew are the men up top that will spark the Black Stars' offense.

PREDICTION:
The Pharaohs are on a mission after their surprise elimination by Algeria from the World Cup. Egypt is playing at such a high level with fantastic team cohesion that Ghana will have to be perfect to win. Côte d'Ivoire provided the blueprint on how to unlock Ghana's tight defense and Egypt's players have the skill and motivation to follow the blueprint and execute it effectively. Ghana's lack of offense will be easily stifled by The Pharoahs solid defense. Egypt wins a 3rd consecutive title and 7th overall with an impressive 3-0 scoreline.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Semifinals

Egypt 4 - 0 Algeria


Ghana 1 - 0 Nigeria


OTHER NEWS:
3RD PLACE MATCH
Nigeria 1 - 0 Algeria
NGA: Victor Obinna (55')

The CAF has ruled that the Togo football team will be banned from the next 2 African Cup of Nations tournaments as punishment for their withdrawal from the 2010 tournament. Togo pulled out of this year's tournament after their bus was sprayed with gun fire tragically killing 3 people 3 days before their opening match against Ghana. The CAF says that the decision was not based on the team's withdrawal from the tournament but from the Togolese government's involvement in ordering the team to return back to Togo.

African Cup of Nations Final - Preview

Diego Maradona confirmed his list of players that will take part in the upcoming friendly match against Ghana in Córdoba on September 30th. The biggest surprise of the this list was the return of Ariel Ortega after a six-year absence. The River Plate captain has been out of the national team mix since 2002 after he was part of the disappointing Argentine side that was booted out in the group stages in Korea and Japan.

Martín Palermo and Esteban Fuertes have also been called up by Maradona as well as Rolando Schiavi.

Maradona will confirm his final list of players that are expected to be playing against both Peru and Uruguay in the last two round of CONMEBOL qualifying. Argentina are currently in fifth place and would be playing a home-and-away playoff against Costa Rica should the standings remain the same.

Goalkeepers: Diego Pozo (Colón), Cristian Campestrini (Arsenal).

Defenders: Leandro Desábato (Estudiantes), Matías Caruzzo (Argentinos), Ignacio Canutto (Argentinos), Rolando Schiavi (Newell´s Old Boys), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell´s Old Boys), Cristian Álvarez (Arsenal), Cristian Villagra (River Plate), Luciano Monzón (Boca Juniors)

Midfielders: Rodrigo Braña (Estudiantes LP), Enzo Pérez (Estudiantes LP), Leonel Vangioni (Newell´s), Leandro Benítez (Estudiantes LP), Jesús Méndez (Rosario Central), Mario Bolatti (Huracán).

Forwards: Gabriel Hauche (Argentinos), Martín Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ariel Ortega (River Plate), Esteban Fuertes (Colón)

Maradona Goes Old With Latest Domestic Callup

Ghana became the first African team to qualify out of the groups after beating Sudan in Accra 2-0.

Ghana Qualify For South Africa

The Top 5 Things Learned From The Previous Round of WC Qualifying:

GHANA ON THE BRINK

The Black Stars could be out of qualifying. In Group 5 of Round 2 WC African Qualifying, Ghana sits in 3rd place behind 1st place Libya and 2nd place Gabon only trailing Gabon on goal differential. Their talisman Michael Essien is out for that last crucial match vs. Lesotho and they will have to produce at least a 3 goal victory margin in that game to have a shot of advancing to the next stage. Let’s hope they go through cause they are arguably the most talented team in Africa and fun to watch.

DOMENECH HAS TO GO

Why does this man still have employment? What has he done to earn his continued place as national team coach of France? Let’s see. France looked horrible in Euro 2008, they have been erratic at best in matches following the Zidane embarrassment of the ’06 WC Final. He’s consistently left off the team arguably the best French striker right now in David Trezeguet deciding on Nicolas Anelka instead and they just got whipped 3-1 by AUSTRIA. With all the talent France has they should not be losing to AUSTRIA. Les Bleus need to bring back Aime Jacquet.

PARAGUAY IS THE BEST TEAM IN SOUTH AMERICA, RIGHT NOW

La Albirroja has been the most consistent team in FIFA’s toughest qualifying region. Paraguay has 5 players that have scored at least 2 goals meaning that there isn’t one person to key on. That makes them more dangerous offensively than supposedly more dangerous offensive sides like Brazil and Argentina. By the way, results vs. South America’s 2 Giants: 1-1 draw vs. Argentina in Buenos Aires and a 2-0 win vs. Brazil in Asuncion. Impressive, if Paraguay’s key players can avoid injury over the next months, Paraguay will not only make it to The Great Tournament but will be a serious contender for the title.

NO CARIBBEAN RIDDIMS IN SOUTH AFRICA

This one hurts the most because of my roots in the Caribbean and my desire to see a Caribbean nation progress deep into the World Cup. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good for the Caribbean nations in CONCACAF. The Caribbean Champions, Haiti have 1 point after 3 matches and a –7 goal differential and tragically a lot more on their minds than football. Jamaica just fired its coach after only 1 point and a –6 goal differential. Cuba has 0 points. Trinidad & Tobago are the last hope. The Soca Warriors have 4 points and are tied with Guatemala for 2nd in Group 1. I think us Caribbean folk will have to wait till Brazil 2014. At least we got Usain Bolt.

SEPP BLATTER IS THE SHIZZLE!!!!

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter announced that all workers would get two free tickets to a WC match at the stadium they are working on. That is FREAKING SWEEET!!! (To quote Peter Griffin). If I didn’t have a job, I would find my way to South Africa and get me a job at Ellis Park or any of those stadiums. I can install the toilets for all I care. I will deal with sewage pipes for some free WC tickets.

Mad About Fútbol Top 5: #1