Ghana sprung a surprise gaining their first cup win over the much fancied Czech Republic. The African’s placed themselves in pole position for the second qualification berth with a dramatic 2-0 win that needed much hard work and for them to hold their nerves to deal the victory.
Czech Republic who breezed past the US in their first game must now beat Italy to stay alive in their final match.
Both sides made changes to their line up with Lokvenc replacing the injured Koller for the Czech’s and Addo starting in place of Boateng for the African World Cup debutants.
The game got off to a flying start with Ghana attacking from the beginning. Forcing the incentive they were rewarded for their early pressure when Asamoah Gyan fired them ahead after just seventy seconds. A great ball by Appiah led to a mistake from Tomas Ujfalusi and Gyan calmly placed the ball by Peter Cech.
After their error strune performance against Italy it was the perfect way to begin the game and seemingly force Group E wide open. The well taken volley from Gyan sparked the Czech’s into a frenzy with them realizing the importance of a second victory on the trot. However without being able to break down Ghana because of their tremendous hard work they had to wait until halfway through the half before they were able to construct a move of some credit.
When a high ball caused confusion, Nedved pounced and played the ball into the path of winger Poborsky. His control was lacking slightly and he drove himself wide, still managing to get a shot in which because of his first touch was dragged wide of the goal. None the less it was a warning of how quickly the game might be able to turn in favour of the Czech’s.
Just before half time they came close again when Poborsky broke down the right and crossed for Tomas Rosicky, his volley was well closed down and ended up trickling wide of the goal because of the excellent pressure he received from the Ghanaian presence.
During the second half Ghana created much of the opening running in an attempt to finish off the game. The ever lively Gyan forced a great save from Cech after cutting inside two Cech defenders but still they battered at the door and tried to prevent the Cech’s from making a dramatic comeback.
Two minutes later they almost got back into the game through Plasil whose powerful drive was well tipped over the bar by Richard Kingston. Ghana spurred by the heroics of the keeper cleared the ball and mounted an attack up the other end which caused a dramatic situation.
Ujfalusi, at fault for the first goal gave away a penalty and was sent off by the referee. However Gyan took his penalty with great haste and was booked by the referee for doing so without permission; in retaking the kick Gyan this time hit the post giving the Czechs a lifeline and a way out of their current predicament.
Ghana seemingly shrugged off the disappointment of missing a penalty and continued to attack in waves looking for the breakthrough Cech made a string of fine saves before finally being beaten late in the game as his teams attacks began to break down with disturbing regularity.
Breaking down the left ten minutes from the end, Gyan started a fine move before playing the killer pass into Muntari who rounded off the game for Ghana firing the ball into the top corner from twelve yards.
The game sparked wild celebrations from the Ghanaian team and bench who were delighted to have picked up their first points ever at the FIFA World Cup.
Czech Republic who breezed past the US in their first game must now beat Italy to stay alive in their final match.
Both sides made changes to their line up with Lokvenc replacing the injured Koller for the Czech’s and Addo starting in place of Boateng for the African World Cup debutants.
The game got off to a flying start with Ghana attacking from the beginning. Forcing the incentive they were rewarded for their early pressure when Asamoah Gyan fired them ahead after just seventy seconds. A great ball by Appiah led to a mistake from Tomas Ujfalusi and Gyan calmly placed the ball by Peter Cech.
After their error strune performance against Italy it was the perfect way to begin the game and seemingly force Group E wide open. The well taken volley from Gyan sparked the Czech’s into a frenzy with them realizing the importance of a second victory on the trot. However without being able to break down Ghana because of their tremendous hard work they had to wait until halfway through the half before they were able to construct a move of some credit.
When a high ball caused confusion, Nedved pounced and played the ball into the path of winger Poborsky. His control was lacking slightly and he drove himself wide, still managing to get a shot in which because of his first touch was dragged wide of the goal. None the less it was a warning of how quickly the game might be able to turn in favour of the Czech’s.
Just before half time they came close again when Poborsky broke down the right and crossed for Tomas Rosicky, his volley was well closed down and ended up trickling wide of the goal because of the excellent pressure he received from the Ghanaian presence.
During the second half Ghana created much of the opening running in an attempt to finish off the game. The ever lively Gyan forced a great save from Cech after cutting inside two Cech defenders but still they battered at the door and tried to prevent the Cech’s from making a dramatic comeback.
Two minutes later they almost got back into the game through Plasil whose powerful drive was well tipped over the bar by Richard Kingston. Ghana spurred by the heroics of the keeper cleared the ball and mounted an attack up the other end which caused a dramatic situation.
Ujfalusi, at fault for the first goal gave away a penalty and was sent off by the referee. However Gyan took his penalty with great haste and was booked by the referee for doing so without permission; in retaking the kick Gyan this time hit the post giving the Czechs a lifeline and a way out of their current predicament.
Ghana seemingly shrugged off the disappointment of missing a penalty and continued to attack in waves looking for the breakthrough Cech made a string of fine saves before finally being beaten late in the game as his teams attacks began to break down with disturbing regularity.
Breaking down the left ten minutes from the end, Gyan started a fine move before playing the killer pass into Muntari who rounded off the game for Ghana firing the ball into the top corner from twelve yards.
The game sparked wild celebrations from the Ghanaian team and bench who were delighted to have picked up their first points ever at the FIFA World Cup.