Ghana overcame the USA team today to book their place in the quarterfinals. It was a gripping tie, requiring extra time for a winner to be decided. The US team once again conceded early in the first half, but were this time unable to overturn the game. There was a glimmer of hope when Donovan smashed in the penalty to restore parity but it all came crashing down after Gyan's extra time winning strike.
Ghana flew out of the traps in the opening minutes of the game and quickly found the goal through a wonderful solo effort from Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose left-footed drive at the 5th minute beat Howard at his near-post. Ghana were the better team of the first half, imposing themselves both through their passing game and movement on and off the ball. Indeed, with and without possession, Ghana seemed the hungrier of the two sides and this translated in their first half domination. The second half was a different story however as the USA gained the ascendancy. The USA team created a host of chances but were unable to fire past Kingson. Ghana, like it had been the case against Germany in their last group game, pulled off and did not apply the kind of pressure they had in the first half. They were punished for it in the Germany game but were let off the hook against the USA who were unable to convert their chances.
The Ghana team is one of the youngest of the tournament and it showed in the game against the US and Germany. Ghana is a team full of ability but they do seem to struggle to see out games. Especially considering that they have often come out dominating the opening moments of their games. They pass the ball well, keep possession, are fluid in their build-up play, and tackle determinately in midfield. The problem of this team is that they seem to suffer of a Jekyll-and-Hyde complex where they simply don't come out in the second half with the same energy and verve that they start out with. In fact it was only after the USA scored the equalizing goal that Ghana came out again to play. It is as if they are caught in between two minds when with the lead as to whether they should attack or hold back. This type of inconsistency can end up costing them in the next round.
Ghana came into this game as a team that was heavily criticized for their lack of a killer instinct. In effect, through their fluid, fast, powerful play, Ghana is a team which has created many chances during each of their games. The problem is that they fail to convert the majority of those chances. Inexperience and youth can both be to blame for this. Ghana had in fact entered their round of 16 encounter against the USA without having scored a goal in open play. Two goals came from open play this time however, with Gyan's being the winner. It all looked like a rather innocuous ball coming in high at the 93rd minute, but Gyan chested it down and drove forward towards goal. He muscled off his Rennes teammate Carlos Bocanegra and rifled in a venomous left-footed drive past Tim Howard. The big change for the Ghana team came about at the inclusion of veteran midfielder Stephen Appiah, as Kevin-Prince Boateng had to come off due to injury. The Black Stars seemed to have regained their composure once he entered the pitch and recovered their passing game to great effect. Thus, in the absence of Essien, Stephen Appiah emerges as a very important element in this Ghana team.
Ghana has thus booked a quarterfinals date with Uruguay. It will be a tough match for the Black Stars, but a winnable one nonetheless. Uruguay's attacking trident will be the threat to Ghana progress. Ghana's midfield play has been very good and they should still have the lion-share of possession as Uruguay is a team that prefers playing on the counter. Ghana will have to be careful playing their usual high press as Suarez and Cavani like to run in behind defenses. Indeed their midfield press strategy was effective in their previous games as they played teams that enjoy building from the back and most of the dangerous playmakers they encountered (Dempsey, Schweinsteiger, Stankovic) enjoy dropping deep and orchestrating from those positions. But Suarez and Cavani both enjoy width and will be making calls for more direct and long passes in behind the Ghana defense. As such we might see Uruguay play less on the ground and with Forlan playing a more advanced and center role than he usually has (like in the opening game against France).
The advantage of this youthful Ghana team however is that it boasts of very dynamic and powerful players on the wings. So If they can attack while keeping their defensive shape, Ghana can avoid being hit on the counter and will have every chance to progress to the semifinals. Forlan might struggle for his usual spaces as the Ghana midfield will be focusing on shutting him down. After all the Atletico Madrid hitman is the main connection from defense to offense and if Ghana can curb his influence on the game they could effectively starve off Suarez and Cavani from good service. The crucial factor though will undoubtedly have to be the inclusion of Appiah in the starting 11. With a place in the semifinals on the line, his experience will prove invaluable for this young side in helping them make World Cup history.
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