Ghana claimed a place in the second round to cap an excellent debut World Cup for the African’s and send Group rivals Czech Republic crashing out after their defeat to Italy.
For the USA it was more about pride after their opening defeat to the Czech Republic and in the end they lost out in a close game but can be proud of the performance they put in against Italy and also against Ghana.
Despite losing to Italy in the first game ‘the black stars’ advanced to the next stage with goals from Dramani and Appiah. Dempsey had previously leveled the scores at 1-1 but the captains’ penalty in first half stoppage time had been enough to grant the Ghanaian’s the passage they deserved to play against Brazil in round two.
The game started slowly and it’s first real chance was taken by Dramani who gave his side a 1-0 lead. Robbing the captain, Claudio Reyna on the edge of the area he slotted home in style to help his side in front. The American’s claimed a foul but the referee was not interested in their claims. The finish from the midfielder was clinical and issued a warning to the opposition that they were serious about progression.
Five minutes later they almost doubled their lead as Pimpong sped onto a through ball from Essien before firing just wide of the far post with Keller scrambling across. The shot was just slightly dragged but would have given the goalkeeper little chance had it been on target.
America looked to force their way back into the game but with Ghana’s high paced all action midfield very much on top they found it difficult to create much more than half chances before the break.
A well taken free kick swung in towards the box was enough to allow Richard Kingston to make his first save of the game on the half hour mark but it was no where near the production that was going to see the U.S. side threaten a confident Ghanaian defense.
Moments before the half however they were able to create something more substantial as Damarcus Beasley robbed a defender before breaking down the left and delivering a great cross to the back post where Clint Dempsey was waiting to smash the ball past the defenseless goalkeeper.
It was more than the USA deserved perhaps but their only chance of the half was well taken and warranted a goal for the effort and desire which went into its making.
The situation didn't last long however as Ghana immediately struck back with a penalty from Appiah after a foul on Pimpong in the box.
The decision was questionable but provided Ghana an excellent opportunity going into the break. After a long pause Appiah found the net and wheeled away in celebration with his team mates. A perfect time to score a goal perhaps but after the way they had battled ahead it was more important than any of the players realized at the time.
The second half bean with Ghana looking to add to the score line which they had added too at the end of the first period of play. Asamoah forced a save from the keeper after a long range drive and immediately the U.S. were becoming encamped in the edge of their own area.
Able to break free of the shackles that had held them back early in the game The U.S. came close to pegging Ghana back as Brian McBride found the post instead of the net with a low diving header. Good work from Lewis again down the left allowed the Fulham striker to get his effort in on goal but with the ball rebounding out not in, the team from North America started to realize that much like their tournament so far, there wasn't much luck going around.
Moments later Onyewu hit the roof of the net with a header from a Donovan corner and the US were again denied the goal which would have hit Ghana’s hopes of qualification. Leaping above his man the defender couldn’t get over the ball enough to find the back of the net.
It proved to be the final chance of the game for both sides as they shook hands at the end of the game and headed their separate ways.
For the USA it was more about pride after their opening defeat to the Czech Republic and in the end they lost out in a close game but can be proud of the performance they put in against Italy and also against Ghana.
Despite losing to Italy in the first game ‘the black stars’ advanced to the next stage with goals from Dramani and Appiah. Dempsey had previously leveled the scores at 1-1 but the captains’ penalty in first half stoppage time had been enough to grant the Ghanaian’s the passage they deserved to play against Brazil in round two.
The game started slowly and it’s first real chance was taken by Dramani who gave his side a 1-0 lead. Robbing the captain, Claudio Reyna on the edge of the area he slotted home in style to help his side in front. The American’s claimed a foul but the referee was not interested in their claims. The finish from the midfielder was clinical and issued a warning to the opposition that they were serious about progression.
Five minutes later they almost doubled their lead as Pimpong sped onto a through ball from Essien before firing just wide of the far post with Keller scrambling across. The shot was just slightly dragged but would have given the goalkeeper little chance had it been on target.
America looked to force their way back into the game but with Ghana’s high paced all action midfield very much on top they found it difficult to create much more than half chances before the break.
A well taken free kick swung in towards the box was enough to allow Richard Kingston to make his first save of the game on the half hour mark but it was no where near the production that was going to see the U.S. side threaten a confident Ghanaian defense.
Moments before the half however they were able to create something more substantial as Damarcus Beasley robbed a defender before breaking down the left and delivering a great cross to the back post where Clint Dempsey was waiting to smash the ball past the defenseless goalkeeper.
It was more than the USA deserved perhaps but their only chance of the half was well taken and warranted a goal for the effort and desire which went into its making.
The situation didn't last long however as Ghana immediately struck back with a penalty from Appiah after a foul on Pimpong in the box.
The decision was questionable but provided Ghana an excellent opportunity going into the break. After a long pause Appiah found the net and wheeled away in celebration with his team mates. A perfect time to score a goal perhaps but after the way they had battled ahead it was more important than any of the players realized at the time.
The second half bean with Ghana looking to add to the score line which they had added too at the end of the first period of play. Asamoah forced a save from the keeper after a long range drive and immediately the U.S. were becoming encamped in the edge of their own area.
Able to break free of the shackles that had held them back early in the game The U.S. came close to pegging Ghana back as Brian McBride found the post instead of the net with a low diving header. Good work from Lewis again down the left allowed the Fulham striker to get his effort in on goal but with the ball rebounding out not in, the team from North America started to realize that much like their tournament so far, there wasn't much luck going around.
Moments later Onyewu hit the roof of the net with a header from a Donovan corner and the US were again denied the goal which would have hit Ghana’s hopes of qualification. Leaping above his man the defender couldn’t get over the ball enough to find the back of the net.
It proved to be the final chance of the game for both sides as they shook hands at the end of the game and headed their separate ways.