Time zone: US/Eastern | Register | Login
Search:

2010 FIFA World Cup: Ghana 0-1 Germany – Report

Angela Asante, June 23 2010,
Ghana and Germany; both teams have made it into the Last 16 at the expense of Australia and Serbia. It was Oezil’s second half wonder goal that played the trick for Joachim Lowe’s men in a 1-0 victory over the Black Stars.

Germany and Ghana go through the last 16 - 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Related Content:
FIFA World Cup
Related Articles: Ghana, Germany, 2010 World Cup
Ghana vs Germany, First Half: A Balanced Game

Dressed in their black outfits for the first time in the 2010 World Cup, the Germans were keen to avoid a dark day in the football of the country. They knew they had to win to advance regardless of the outcome of the Australia vs Serbia game.

They used the right flank to unlock Ghana’s defense. Cacau first tested Richard Kingson from that angle of the field but was unsuccessful as his shot didn’t seem to trouble Ghana’s goalkeeper. Mueller tried his luck as well before Jonathan Mensah almost scored an own goal to offer Germany an early lead.

 

Having over 60% of ball possession, the Germans were obviously dominating over the Black Stars. Podolski was instrumental as his side pressed Milovan Rajevac’s men who could then only defend and try to win midfield battles. However, the Germans were leaving spaces at the back only for the Ghanaians to create a few attempts on goal. Unfortunately for the Black Stars, striker Asamoah Gyan was just not finding his scoring boots to finish Kwadwo Asamoah and Dede Ayew’s work in midfield.

Talking about the son of the legendary Abedi Pele, he had the most genuine opportunity to break the deadlock midway through the first half. At the other end of the field, youngster Oezil should have punished Ayew’s wasted chance as he beat the offside trap to find himself one-on-one with Ghana’s goalkeeper Richard Kingson. But the Black Stars shot-stopper came out of his goal line to clear the danger at the frustration of Germany.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Prince Boateng.

In defense, at least, Philip Lahm helped his team to hang on to the clean sheet until the first half was over. The Bayern Munich defender cleared the ball with his chest off the line during a corner. Man-to-watch Kevin-Prince Boateng would have broken the deadlock if the German captain had not performed such a vital clearance.

Kevin was meant to keep his temper and he looked to deal with that quite well as he didn’t react when Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger faked a fall as if Ghana’s number 23 player had fouled him during a battle for the ball.

The best player on the field, Dede Ayew, went into the referee’s book moments later and so did Germany’s Mueller. These incidents just marked how the tension of the game was rising as the first period of the game closed with the score board inscribing a 0-0 result.

Ghana vs Germany, Second Half: The Perfect Scenario

50th minute, golden chance! Kwadwo Asamoah put the fans in the crowd on their feet when a glorious opportunity fell onto him for the second one-on-one chance in the game. But as his poor flick was punched away, German fans found relief while disappointment painted the faces of Ghanaian supporters.

Finally, finally, Oezil redeemed himself with a stunning strike from outside the penalty box to complete a nice movement and make it 1-0 for Germany.  Joachim Lowe was seen celebrating on the touch line for the first time since Cacau scored Germany’s 4th goal against Australia on Match-day One. But the Ghanaians quickly renewed their desire to get something out of the game as Prince Tagoe flashed a header on target which got cleared away for a corner kick.

Ayew could have scored the equalizer for the Black Stars in the 66th minute after connecting with Asamoah Gyan’s lovely back heel. However, Philip Lahm was there to produce a wonderful blockade and keep Germany’s goal line from conceding.

Germany celebrate.As Australia were leading Serbia 2-0 in the other match, Ghanaian fans were relaxed – knowing that at this stage, their team would qualify. There were equal opportunities for both Germany and Ghana to score but the result remained 1-0 until the end. Now although Serbia pulled a goal back, Germany and Ghana marched onto the second round ahead of the other teams in Group D.

For the Boateng brothers, who faced each other on the pitch tonight, this is a dream come true as their respective countries have qualified into the Round of 16. Ghana finished second though and will now face USA in the next stage whereas England and Germany will meet for a fierce encounter. The Black Stars haven’t failed to make Africa proud. Can they bring down the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America, to reach the quarter-finals?


 

Related Articles

Member Sign In »

Username Password
Forgot Password | Remember
Not a Member Yet? Register Now