Blacks Stars make Africa proud.. Beat USA in Extra Time

18:30 GMT, June 26, 2010
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa



United States
1 - 2
Ghana

Asamoah Gyan kept the African flag flying at the World Cup with a spectacular left-foot strike in extra-time to take Ghana through to their first quarter-final.


It was the second time in successive World Cups that Ghana had defeated the United States, having effectively dumped them out of the tournament four years ago by beating them in the final group game.

Scoring Summary

United States	Ghana
Landon Donovan (pen 62')	Kevin-Prince Boateng (5')
	Asamoah Gyan (93')

Match Stats

United States

Ghana

20(6)	Shots (on Goal)	16(6)
11	Fouls	19
5	Corner Kicks	4
1	Offsides	4
51%	Time of Possession	49%
3	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
4	Saves	5

Match Information

Stadium:	Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa
Attendance:	28,646
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Viktor Kassai

Man of the Match: Richard Kingson 

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Richard Kingson - Although Asamoah Gyan will get the headlines for his winning goal, it was the form of goalkeeper Kingson that allowed Ghana to get to extra-time in the first place. He made three great saves in regulation time, the pick of which was to deny Benny Feilhaber in a one-on-one.

USA verdict: Yet another slow start for the USA meant they were up against it from the start. Ghana swarmed all over their midfield and defence and coach Bob Bradley was forced to make tactical change after just 30 minutes - replacing holding-midfielder Ricardo Clark with Maurice Edu. The change allowed the USA to get back into the game and, in the second-half, got the goal that their improvement deserved. But as the match restarted for extra-time the trademark early lapse of concentration returned as Ghana scored and this time they could not recover.

Ghana verdict: The Black Stars began in rampant fashion - scoring after just five minutes and then carving through the USA midfield with ease for the next 30 minutes. However, Ghana allowed the USA a foothold in the game before the break and in the second-half could not regain their dominance as they dropped deeper and deeper and invited pressure. Milovan Rajevac's side started extra-time in quick-fire fashion once again and took the lead just two minutes after the restart. Steven Appiah's calm assurance and rediscovered self belief saw Ghana through to the end.

Could do better: Ricardo Clark - He was selected ahead of Jose Torres and Maurice Edu in central midfield but his first contribution was the error that lead to Ghana's opening goal. He lasted only 30 minutes as the game passed him by before being hauled off. The poor lad may never recover.

Stat attack: The USA led for only 206 seconds at the 2010 World Cup.

USA vs Ghana - Preview

United States
v
Ghana




18:30 GMT, June 26, 2010
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa

USA's reward for beating England to the summit of Group C is a second-round meeting with Ghana instead of Germany. But given that their participation at the 2006 World Cup ended at the hands of the Black Stars, Bob Bradley and his side will not underestimate Saturday's opponents as they look to build on the momentum generated by Landon Donovan's dramatic goal against Algeria.


Four years ago in Germany, USA would have qualified for the knockout stages with a victory over Ghana in their final group game but goals from Haminu Draman and Stephen Appiah in Nuremberg condemned them to an early departure. Nine Ghanaians and seven Americans remain from that contest but, in South Africa, an improved USA side are targeting a place in the quarter-finals, and a meeting with either Uruguay or South Korea.

Competition Stats

	United States	Ghana
Goals	Landon Donovan 2	Asamoah Gyan 2
Assists		Asamoah Gyan 0
Yellows	Robbie Findley 2	Prince Tagoe 1

USA player to watch: Michael Bradley. Previously accused of benefiting from nepotism given that his father coaches the national side, the midfielder is very much a star in his own right after a brilliant World Cup to date. After scoring a crucial goal against Slovenia, Bradley was man-of-the-match in the 1-0 win with Algeria as he impressed with his all-round game. Snapping into tackles and launching counter-attacks, his was a box-to-box performance and reminiscent of one of his heroes, Roy Keane.

Ghana player to watch: Andre Ayew. Another player who has lived in the shadow of a famous father, Ayew has some act to follow in Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele. Though his progress at club level has been slow, the Marseille winger is effective for his country and shone at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the African Nations Cup before appearing in all three of Ghana's group games in South Africa. Ayew is a sprightly presence out wide and USA will need to keep him quiet.

Key battle: Clint Dempsey v John Pantsil. The Fulham team-mates will indulge in a personal duel on Saturday with Pantsil operating at right back and Dempsey expected to play wide on the left for USA. Both men boast extensive experience and their contest could be crucial in the context of the game. Dempsey has impressed for USA in South Africa and Pantsil faces a real test in blunting his colleague from Craven Cottage.

Trivia: If Ghana emerge victorious they will match the feats of Senegal (2002) and Cameroon (1990), who are the only two African sides to have made it to a World Cup quarter-final.

Stats: Ghana's past three goals at the World Cup finals (including the second in their 2-1 win over USA in 2006) been from the penalty spot.

Odds: USA (2.70), the draw (3.10) and Ghana (2.87) with Bet365. USA to win in extra time is 13.00.

Prediction: This looks set to be a close contest and do not be surprised if it goes the distance. USA have shown their resilience in the tournament and could just nick it.