Luis
Suarez's handball
3 Jul 2010
"The 'Hand of God' now belongs to me. Mine is
the real 'Hand Of God'. I made the best save of the
tournament. Sometimes in training I play as a goalkeeper
so it was worth it," said Suarez.
"There was no alternative but for me to do that
and when they missed the penalty I thought 'It is
a miracle and we are alive in the tournament.'"
Luis
Suarez
Source:
www.telegraph.co.uk
|
|
| |
I
have the 'Hand of God' now," said Suarez. |
"The
hand of Suarez is the hand of God and the Virgin Mary, that's
how Uruguayans see it."
Oscar Tabarez - Uruguay coach
"When
a boxer reaches for a knife to fight instead of his fists,
it’s a sign that he has been over-powered by his opponent.
Ghana won somehow last night. The crying can stop."
by Kingsley Kobo www.goal.com
"The
Ghanaians are gutted, predictably. Gyan, who missed that
penalty in extra-time, is distrought. I quite wanted Uruguay
to win, to be honest, but in these circumstances? They have
cheated their way to victory. Within the rules of the game
we all love, but cheating all the same.
Boooooooooooooo!
But, at the same time, grudging respect to the cheating
little sods. It takes a real streak of evil to win like
this."
Simon
Burnton
guardian.co.uk
Friday 2 July 2010
Don’t
cry for Ghana
There are reasons for comfort...
By
Kingsley Kobo
3 Jul 2010
We saw tears and felt pain last night when the only surviving
African team at the World Cup, Ghana, was eliminated by
Uruguay at Soccer City Stadium.
Many
reasons to lament, many reasons to curse.
If
Ghana had been defeated during the 90 minutes of play, or
even during extra time we could easily call Uruguay the
stronger side.
But
as it happened, we can’t say that they out-played
the Africans and so deserved the victory; or that Ghana
played badly and deserved to be beaten.
No!
The Black Stars shined, staging a worthwhile battle against
the South Americans.
Uruguay
got underway with a robust intensity hoping to intimidate
the Blacks Stars early in order to cut into their throat
and leave them gasping in despair – like Brazil did
to Chile in their 3-0 win in the second round – but
Ghana withstood, dragging along the Charruas until their
superiority complex was gradually replaced by ambiguity.
When
Inter’s Sulley Muntari fired home a shot, which left
Nestor Muslera stretching to no avail, Uruguay knew they
were in trouble.
Even
when star striker Diego Forlan evened the score with a free-kick
early in the second half, Ghana didn’t cower.
We
were beginning to envisage a long night with fear and hope
warring in our souls.
Forlan
and Luis Suarez, whom many tipped could change the destiny
of the evening, remained constantly dampened by Ghana’s
tactics and cohesive production.
During
extra-time, we saw a more combative Ghana, menacing Uruguay’s
defence in search of a goal to seal victory, but at the
height of their arduous effort, Suarez’s unprofessional
hand ball robbed the Africans of a winning goal.
Don’t
blame Asamoah Gyan for wasting a golden opportunity of breaking
the jinx that has always limited African teams at the quarter-finals,
but salute the effort of these youngsters who came from
nowhere to reach this stage of the competition.
Everybody
can miss a penalty, after all, hitting the crossbar showed
how well he had aimed his shot.
Using
hands to parry a goal-bound ball showed how reduced and
feeble Uruguay had been during the dying minutes of the
game.
Ghana
had pushed and pressed them to an extent that they had to
apply an unconventional means of defending and fending off
danger.
And
to demonstrate how badly they needed the save, Luis Suarez
was lifted shoulder high by his mates as the hero of the
evening during their bliss celebration after the game.
I
am not here to blame Suarez, he and his team got their lot
– a red card, a penalty and a possible two-game suspension
– what I’m trying to point out is that Ghana
deserve kudos for rocking the two-time world champions Uruguay
down to their knees.
When
a boxer reaches for a knife to fight instead of his fists,
it’s a sign that he has been over-powered by his opponent.
Ghana won somehow last night. The crying can stop.
SOURCE:
www.goal.com
Match
58 - Quarter-finals - 2 July |
Referee Olegario BENQUERENCA (POR) |
Johannesburg
Soccer City Stadium |
David
Smith talks to Ghanaians and South Africans supporting the
Black Stars at the World Cup:
audio
Uruguay - Ghana preview
1 July 2010
Although
Uruguay have a rich FIFA World Cup™ history, they
have not advanced as far as the quarter-finals since their
run to the last four in 1970. Ghana, their opponents on
Friday night, have never gone this far in the tournament,
having reached the second round four years ago in their
FIFA World Cup debut.
In
both 2006 and in South Africa, the Black Stars were Africa's
only representatives in the knock-out rounds, and they can
also become the first ever side from the continent to advance
to a semi-final with a win. In the way of Africa's hopes
is an in-form La Celeste led by one of the most dynamic
front-lines at the tournament.
The
match
Uruguay-Ghana,
Johannesburg (Soccer City), 2 July, 20:30
For
a team that struggled to qualify for the finals, Uruguay
emerged as one of the dark horses of the opening stage after
finishing top of Group A. After opening the event with a
scoreless draw with France, they have secured three consecutive
wins, largely thanks to the form of strikers Diego Forlan
and Luis Suarez. Forlan scored a brace in the 3-0 dismantling
of the hosts, while Suarez scored the trio of Uruguay's
goals in the 1-0 win over Mexico and 2-1 victory over Korea
Republic. Edinson Cavani is the most unheralded of the attacking
triumvirate, but the Palermo forward can also be lethal
if unchecked. However, Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has earned
a reputation for his tactical acumen, and the Serb has built
one of Africa's finest defences.
With
so much history on the line, Ghana could be forgiven for
being overawed with the occasion, but the Black Stars are
seemingly unflappable despite being the youngest team in
the tournament. A side boasting several players who won
the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year, they finished runners-up
at January's CAF Africa Cup of Nations on the back of three
consecutive 1-0 wins. They also held their nerve in a dramatic
2-1 extra-time victory over South Africa 2010's comeback
kings, the USA, in the second round. Asamoah Gyan has scored
three of the side's four goals, and despite being hampered
by an ankle injury, should be the fulcrum of the Ghanaian
attack. Kevin-Prince Boateng also appears likely to win
his fitness race, while the loss of starlet Andre Ayew to
suspension will be painful. The door might now be open for
the comeback of little-used Inter Milan midfielder Sulley
Muntari, and the possible return of previously injured centre-half
Isaac Vorsah could also be a major boost.
Players
to watch
Luis Suarez v John Mensah
A
veteran anchor at the back for Ghana, John Mensah will need
to call on all of his experience to stop the speed and creativity
of the Uruguay attack. The 23-year-old Ajax striker is technically
adept and capable of scoring from anywhere around the box.
Although the powerful Mensah should have the advantage in
the air, he could well be challenged for pace on the counter-attack,
but the potential return of Vorsah could provide him with
significant assistance.
The
stat
7 – Asamoah Gyan has scored seven goals for Ghana
out of the 11 they have tallied in full international matches
in 2010. Ayew, Boateng, Muntari and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
have claimed the others.
What
they said
“They are fast, strong, and they have done well in
other games, even against Germany,” Diego Forlan,
Uruguay forward.
“They
have a great team, especially in attack. This is what we
have to watch out for because they have players like Forlan
and Suarez,” Asamoah Gyan, Ghana striker.
Voice
of the fans
"Both teams have impressed me. Ghana has shown speed
and a great ability to pass. Their defence is not the best
but their ability to fire an attack has shown. As another
has commented, I think that the first to score will win.
In this case, Ghana will pull through," FIFA.com user
OnTarget06.
The
question
Can Ghana eclipse Cameroon's exploits in 1990 and Senegal
in 2002 to become the first African side in the last four?
Or will the two-time champion Uruguayans keep their good
run going in a tournament that has seen South American teams
immensely difficult to beat?
SOURCE:
www.fifa.com
Godin
out as Uruguay name XI
Tabarez happy to share starting side for Ghana clash
30th June 2010
Godin: Ruled out
Uruguay defender Diego Godin has been ruled out of the World
Cup quarter-final clash with Ghana on Friday as coach Oscar
Tabarez named his starting XI.
Godin
suffered a thigh injury during the 2-1 victory over South
Korea in Saturday's second round triumph and was forced
out of the action at the interval.
Tabarez
will again turn to Mauricio Victorino to deputise in Godin's
absence, after he stepped off the bench and performed well
against the Asian outfit.
Tabarez
is unsure if Godin will even be fit for a place on the bench,
but admitted: "We still have 48 hours.
"He
is not fully recovered. He is not in the team because in
my opinion he is not 100 per cent fit."
The
coach of the South American outfit will make one further
change to his starting XI, with Alvaro Fernandez coming
in for Alvaro Pereira in midfield.
Starting
XI
Fernando
Muslera, who has been beaten just once in four games, starts
in goal behind a back four of Maxi Pereira, Diego Lugano,
Victorino and Jorge Fucile.
Diego
Perez, Egidio Arevalo and Fernandez make up the midfield
with Luis Suarez,Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani operating
as an attacking trio.
Uruguay,
who lifted the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, finished fourth
in the 1970 showpiece but failed to qualify for five of
the nine tournaments since then.
They
are favourites to progress to the last four of the tournament
in Friday's clash at Soccer City in Johannesburg where either
Brazil or Holland will await.
Tabarez,
nicknamed 'The Master' from his previous career as a schoolteacher,
added: "We are calm. But we know the important thing
is the match, not how we feel today."
Source:
www.skysports.com
Ghana
spokesman says Boateng fit to face Uruguay in World Cup
quarter-final
30
June 2010
JOHANNESBURG
— Ghana expects Kevin-Prince Boateng to be fit for
its World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay after recovering
from a right thigh injury.
Boateng
missed training Monday but team spokesman Randy Abbey said
Tuesday he should be available for Friday's game.
Abbey
said Boateng had been "rested" but "will
be fine." Abbey also said Isaac Vorsah was back in
training after a week out with a right leg injury, while
doubts over fellow defenders John Mensah and Samuel Inkoom
had also cleared.
Ghana,
the last African representative at the World Cup, will be
without suspended players Jonathan Mensah and Andre Ayew.
Doubts
also surround Asamoah Gyan, who hurt his ankle in training
Monday and left the session with his foot wrapped in an
ice pack. Ghana's Football Association does not expect the
striker to miss Friday's match at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
An
African team has never reached the semifinals of the World
Cup but will seldom get a better chance than Ghana's opportunity.
The
16th-ranked Uruguay is listed 16 places higher than Ghana
by FIFA, but is appearing in the quarter-finals for the
first time in 40 years.
SOURCE:
AP
Thabo
Mbeki backs Black Stars 'of Africa'
29-Jun-2010
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki backs the Black
Stars to continue to lead Africa at the World Cup and do
the continent proud.
The
leader in message sent to the President of the Ghana Football
Association congratulated and extended his best wishes to
the playing body, coaching and management teams.
Read
full text of former President's message
I
wish to convey my heartfelt congratulations to you, the
Ghana Football Association and the Ghana Black Stars national
team for its outstanding success in advancing to the next
round of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
It
is clear that the Black Stars will now have to discharge
the highly honourable and well deserved responsibility to
represent Africa and the African Diaspora in the next stages
of the World Cup.
In
this regard the Black Stars will remain true to the role
that Ghana has played as an eminent leader of the peoples
of Africa and the African Diaspora as they have worked to
resolve the challenges we have had to confront.
I
am certain that these millions will now rally behind the
Black Stars to guarantee that we cap the fact of the very
successful hosting of the World Cup by Africa by ensuring
that on behalf of the Continent and the Diaspora, the Black
Stars, now of Africa, win the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Please
convey my congratulations, form support and best wishes
to the team as well as the coaching and management teams.
I
am certain that the Black Stars will continue to do us proud.
Sgnd
Thabo
Mbeki
Source:
Ghanafa.org
Vorsah
back in training
29-Jun-2010
Ghana
defender Isaac Vorsah has handed Milovan Rajevac a major
fitness boost for Friday's FIFA World Cup quarter-final
against Uruguay after training with his colleagues on Monday.
Vorsah
has been sidelined after Ghana’s opening Group D win
over Serbia at the World Cup because of injury.
But
on Monday, the central defender finally joined in the high
tempo training session at the Mogwase Stadium in Rustenburg.
His
return is timely as Jonathan Mensah serves a one-match suspension
after picking up his second booking in the tournament during
the round of 16 game against the United States.
Four
other players John Mensah, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew
and Hans Adu-Sarpei were excused from Monday’s session
as the continued with their recovery programmes.
Source:
Ghanafa.org
Andre's
yellow card appeal turned down
29-Jun-2010
The
FIFA Disciplinary Committee has turned down an appeal made
by the Ghana Football Association to can cancel the yellow
card shown to Andre Ayew in the 2010 FIFA World Cup match
between the US and Ghana on 26 June.
Andre
Ayew will thus serve a one-match suspension, meaning he
misses Ghana’s quarter-final match against Uruguay
on 2 July after being booked for the second time at the
tournament during last Saturday’s round of 16 clash
with the United States.
The
GFA immediately after the match requested to have referee
Viktor Kassai’s decision looked into again and overturned.
But
the FIFA Disciplinary Committee pointed out that according
to Article 72 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, disciplinary
decisions taken by the referee during matches are final.
“However,
according to article 77 b) of the FDC, the disciplinary
Committee is responsible for rectifying obvious errors in
the referee’s disciplinary decisions.
“To
this end, the Disciplinary Committee pointed out that the
referee saw the incident leading to the yellow card for
the player and clearly indicated in his report that the
reason behind this measure was that Andre Ayew committed
a reckless tackle against the opponent.
“The
Committee therefore excluded that article 77 b) of the FDC
could be applied in such a case.
“In
the light of the above, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee
concluded that the request filed by the Ghana Football Association
is rejected and confirmed that the player Andre Ayew, who
has received two yellow cards in two different matches in
this tournament, shall serve his one-match suspension in
the match URU v GHA of 2 July 2010,” a statement by
the Disciplinary Committee stated.
Source: Ghanafa.org
FIFA
may shift its stance
June 29, 2010
Sepp
Blatter has suggested that FIFA could backtrack on its decision
to block the introduction of goal-line technology, and will
clarify the governing body's stance at a press conference
on Tuesday.
"I
will have a press conference," he told Sky Sports News.
"We are in a World Cup. We have a principle and we
cannot change the principle in the World Cup.''
While
Blatter was quick to insist that there will be no change
to the rules during the World Cup, there was the suggestion
that FIFA will look again at the situation.
Blatter
will face the press himself after Monday's farcical press
briefing when FIFA officials were asked for their views
on technology and Frank Lampard's "goal" 20 times
but each time brushed away the question without giving a
clear answer.
FIFA
communications director Nicolas Maingot insisted he was
"not competent'' to answer questions on refereeing.
Maingot
said: "The International FA Board, which FIFA is a
member of along with the four British associations, dealt
with this topic in March. A clear decision on the use of
technology was taken at the time. I don't think football
is very much different from other sports and not all sports
have recourse to technology.''
The
international players' union FIFPro have added their voice
to calls for technology.
Tijs
Tummers, secretary of FIFPro's technical committee, said:
"We can do it, the football world wants it and yet
it is still being thwarted, that is unacceptable. The error
during the Germany-England match would have been the easiest
to avoid. There is not a single convincing argument against
the use of goal-line technology.
"With
offside incidents it is slightly more complicated, but the
Argentinian goal which was allowed to stand shows the failure
of the system even better. Technology does not undermine
the authority of referees, it only helps them.''
SOURCE:
www.espn.com
Gyan
concern for Ghana
Striker picks up ankle injury in training
28th June 2010
Gyan: Injury worry
Asamoah Gyan has given Ghana an injury concern ahead of
their World Cup quarter-final with Uruguay after picking
up a knock in training.
The
forward suffered an injury in training on Monday and left
the session with ice strapped to his ankle.
The
injury is not thought to be serious with Ghana's Football
Association revealing it does not expect Gyan to miss Friday's
showdown with Uruguay.
Gyan
has enjoyed a fine World Cup with Ghana, scoring three goals
in the finals so far, including the winner in Saturday's
second round success over the USA.
Ghana
are already sweating over the fitness of Kevin-Prince Boateng
after he suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the
US.
SOURCE:
www.skysports.com
Uruguay's
Godin faces Ghana fitness race
June 28 2010
Uruguay
defender Diego Godin could miss Friday's World Cup quarter-final
against Ghana because of a left thigh injury, a team spokesman
said on Monday.
"Godin
injured his left quadriceps and at the moment he is uncertain
for the game against Ghana," said Matias Faral.
The
Villarreal player suffered the injury in the second half
of the 2-1 last 16 win over South Korea in Port Elizabeth
on Saturday and was replaced by Mauricio Victorino. - Sapa-AFP
SOURCE:
www.iol.co.za
Rajevac
loves Stars' spirit
Date: 28-Jun-2010
“We
have been shocking the world in the last two years,”
Milovan Rajevac said as he gave a response to a question
about the suspension of two key members and injuries to
a couple for the game against Uruguay.
Midfielder
Andre Ayew and defender Jonathan Mensah are both suspended
for Friday’s quarter-final game in Johannesburg as
Ghana aim for a historic semi-final place.
“They
[Dede and Jonathan] are definitely out and this is a fact.
It’s through suspensions and these things happen in
tournaments. But we’ll try our best on the injured
players and make sure they are ready for the next match,”
Rajevac said on Monday at Ghana’s team hotel in Rustenburg.
Rajevac
who assembled the youngest team at the World Cup finals
in South Africa says his Black Stars squad which includes
some members of the winning FIFA Under-20 World Cup team
is happy with the team’s progress.
“Yesterday
[Referring to win over the United States] was a great day
for Ghanaian and African football. It was the first time
in the history of Ghana to reach the quarter finals,”
he said.
“Ghanaian
football has done well in the past two years reaching the
CHAN finals [Nations Cup for only local league players],
reaching the Nations Cup finals and winning the Under 20
World Cup.
“The
coach of the Under 20 team Sellas Tetteh did a great job
assembling the youngsters. Some of them are here doing a
good job and I’m happy they are learning so fast.”
Rajevac
would have expected to have his full squad available for
the game at the Soccer City Stadium against Uruguay but
some would be absent.
He
has been in this situation before, playing without key players
with the experience of leading the Black Stars without six
first team regulars to the Nations Cup and finishing as
runners-up still fresh on his mind.
But
how many times do Ghana produce their full line up at just
the right time, Rajevac is happy with the fact that his
squad knows how to compete.
"Ghana
is now among the eight best teams in the world. This is
fantastic. When we reached the final of the African Nations
Cup the boys learned how to compete. That is the most important
thing and I now hope Ghana will go further."
SOURCE:
Ghanafa.org
Injured
Ghana goal hero faces race against time
Sun Jun 27, 2010
By Mark Gleeson
RUSTENBURG
(Reuters) - Ghana goal hero Kevin-Prince Boateng faces a
week of intensive therapy in a bid to get fit for the World
Cup quarter-final after suffering a hamstring injury.
Boateng
scored a fifth minute goal on Saturday to set his side on
the way to a 2-1 win over the United States in their second
round match in Rustenburg but later limped off in the second
half.
Coach
Milovan Rajevac said the Germany-born midfielder would face
intensive treatment in a bid to be ready for the match against
Uruguay at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday.
Boateng
was among several Ghana players limping after the exertions
of the extra time triumph over the Americans at the Royal
Bafokeng Stadium.
"Boateng
was injured against Germany already. It is going to be a
huge problem to get him ready for the next game," said
Rajevac following the record-equaling performance by Ghana,
only the third African country to reach the last eight of
the World Cup.
NIGGLING
INJURIES
Rajevac
said there were also other players with niggling injuries.
Dede Ayew will also miss the match through suspension after
picking a second caution of the tournament.
"We
are going to see how the players react in the next days.
For me the priority now will be to try and get them all
ready for Friday. There is a lot of work ahead for the medical
staff."
SOURCE:
www.reuters.com
(C)
(-38') 
.gif){kind=small}
(+46'HT)
