In their group opener, the Black Stars faced Serbia and showcased what was arguably the best performance of the tournament thus far. Ghana showed confidence, composure, and a real positive attitude in their approach to the game. They were the deserved winners of the encounter as they dominated Serbia throughout the match.
Against a team who had wrapped up their qualifying campaign undefeated and were known for their defensive solidity, Ghana was always going to have a tough match on their hands. Despite this, they fearlessly attacked from the kick-off and did not shy away from their European opponents. In terms of tactics and and general play, Ghana proved far superior than Serbia. They were stronger in the tackle, they pressed determinately in midfield, and defended doggedly at the back. Paintsil and Mensah had particularly good games, keeping Pantellic and Zigic quiet for the majority of the game. It was Ghana's expansive and attacking play which caught the eye however. The Black Stars passed crisply and confidently, looking lively and dangerous whenever they went forward. The two holding midfielders, Annan and Asamoah, did well in shielding the back-four with the latter making effective runs forward. But it was Kevin-Prince Boateng who stood out as his link-up play helped Ghana achieve cohesiveness and fluidity in their approach. He performed admirably well in his midfield duties, playing in his teammates and making himself an attacking threat with deep-lying runs. Left winger Andre Ayew also enjoyed a great game as he showed good pace and guile, getting the best of Ivanovic on numerous occasions. Asamoah Gyan also performed well, leading the line superbly and making a handful of himself against Vidic.
Ghana dominated the play and crafted a number of opportunities throughout the game. Indeed Serbia found itself on the back-foot for large spells of the game and unable to deal with the pace and power of the Ghana attackers. The midfield battle was comprehensively won by Ghana, as Serbia seemed to lack invention and ideas. Their main attacking threats came from set-pieces and the dangerous Jovanovic, who looked lively on the left. Highly-rated CSKA Moskow winger, Milos Krasic, seemed to struggle to keep up with the pace of the play and had an altogether poor game with his only good contribution coming in the second half as his shot was pushed up and away by Kingson. Certainly Serbian coach Radomir Antic will be hoping for a much better showing from his star player in the upcoming games. Despite fashioning a host of chances however it was only in the final moments of the game, after a handball from substitute Kuzmanovic, that Ghana would break the deadlock through the ensuing penalty. Gyan took charge of the spot kick and with a confident strike, emphatically put his team in front at the 85th minute. Gyan almost went on to score a second in the dying embers of the game, bursting past Vidic and fighting him off to let loose a right-footed shot that unfortunately hit the inside of the post only to bounce back out. Serbia responded by bringing in Lazovic and pumping long balls into the box. It was all in vein though as Ghana valiantly held on to secure the three points.
Even though Serbia found itself playing with 10 men after defender Aleksandar Lukovic was sent off at the 74th minute following a second bookable offense, it would be a discredit to Ghana's performance if we were to award their victory over Serbia on the sending off. Ghana always looked the more likely side to take the three points, and coach Milovan Rajevac got his tactics spot on. The energetic K. Asamoah, who enjoyed a break out season for Seria A side Udinese, relentlessly put pressure on Serbia midfield veteran Dejan Stankovic and prevented him from exposing the defense. Wingers, Ayew and Tagoe, worked hard at both ends of the pitch, offering great runs and delivery on the counter and minding their defensive duties when not in possession. Midfieder Kevin-Prince Boateng kept a close eye on danger-man Krasic, who consequently had a rather pedestrian game and looked out of ideas for most of the game. Mensah and Vorsah didn't put a foot wrong all game as they sealed off the threat of Serbia's 6'8'' giant, Nikola Zigic.
It truly was a masterclass from Ghana, who made their opponents look out of their depth. It was indeed a very promising performance from the Black Stars who will surely built from this and go on to do even better in their upcoming games. Despite some difficulties in front of goal and the lack of depth in terms of their strike force, they can take many positives from their opening game. Ghana were positive going forward and always looked dangerous in and around the last third of the pitch. Their delivery from crosses both in open-play and from set-pieces was good and their passing was crisp, confident, and composed. They remained solid at the back and Kingson came up with crucial saves at important moments of the match, despite not having to do much for large portions of the game.
Ghana have now become the first African team to register a win at this summer's World Cup. On the other hand, Europe's goal drought keeps on with only Slovenia and England registering a goal each thus far. Ghana's play was really different class at times against Serbia, in spite of the absence of their inspirational midfielder Michael Essien. Indeed the Chelsea midfielder's late injury had many observers thinking the team was weakened beyond repair. However it must be pointed out that Ghana reached the final of this year's African Cup of Nations without Essien and a host of other cadres (such as Muntari and Appiah to name a couple). Indeed the ACN Ghana squad was one comprised of a group of many youngsters, some of which had been integrated from the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup winning side that triumphed over Brazil. With them, an experienced core of players to surround them, and the impressive Kevin-Prince Boateng to deputize for the injured Essien, Ghana seems to boast of all the necessary tools to become the shining hopes of Africa in this year's tournament.
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