World Cup 2014
Group G Preview: Taking a Shut Have a look at Ghana
For the third consecutive World Cup, the USA males’s soccer workforce will face a Ghana workforce that appears to have its quantity. Can the Yanks defeat their African enemies? Jon Arnold takes a detailed look.
BY
Jon Arnold
Posted
December 09, 2013
1:16 PM
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Editor’s Word: American Soccer Now will likely be throughout Group G and the complete World Cup expertise from today ahead. We now have early appears at Germany and Portugal prepared for you.
ESSENTIALS
Each American soccer fan is aware of Ghana (6pm Japanese, June 16; ESPN) because the workforce that
eradicated the U.S. from the final two World Cups—a 2-1 win in
additional time throughout a spherical of 16 match in 2010, and a bunch stage win by the
identical margin in 2006 that stored the Stars and Stripes from reaching the knockout
spherical. (Ghana additionally defeated the U.S. under-20 workforce, 4-1, on the 2013 U-20 World Cup.)
The Black Stars are famend for his or her expertise and velocity, and as quickly as they have been drawn into Group G with the Germans, it appeared a
foregone conclusion that the West African nation that has quirkily
grow to be a U.S. rival could be on the slate in 2014. If the previous
triumphs weren’t sufficient to persuade U.S. followers, Ghana is presently
ranked because the second-best workforce in Africa and is ranked twenty fourth total within the
FIFA rankings.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Ghana breezed via the primary stage of Confederation of African Soccer
qualification, scoring essentially the most objectives of any workforce and
lacking out on factors simply as soon as (a 1-0 loss to Zambia) within the group
portion. Then, the Black Stars dispatched former U.S. coach Bob Bradley’s Egypt workforce
within the two-legged playoff. A 6-1 win within the dwelling leg principally sealed
qualification, and the workforce prevented collapse by shedding 2-1 in Cairo
for a 7-3 combination victory.
THE COACH
James Kwesi Appiah, a former Black Star himself, has led
the workforce because the summer season of 2012 after a shock promotion after Goran Stevanovic was fired for failing
to win that 12 months’s African Cup of Nations. Stevanovic was the third
overseas coach Appiah labored underneath and the previous left again has grow to be
an outspoken supporter of African coaches main African groups. A
fourth-place end on this 12 months’s African Cup of Nations
did not see Appiah fired, possible due to the give attention to World Cup
qualification outcomes. Other than this job, Appiah hasn’t led any
main groups, although he did spend time studying from coaches all through
Europe, together with these at Manchester Metropolis.
KEY PLAYERS
Asamoah Gyan, the person who scored the objective to remove
the U.S. in 2010, possible wants little introduction, although maybe some
individuals will want a refresher. He moved from Sunderland to Al Ain in
2011 and nonetheless represents the UAE-based workforce on the membership stage. That
makes him no much less potent of a scoring menace for Ghana, scoring 39
objectives in 77 profession appearances for the Black Stars. He additionally appears extra
targeted than ever, incomes the captain’s armband in latest matches.
The Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, are additionally potent up entrance, with
the elder, Andre, prone to make a transfer to one of many world’s large
golf equipment if Marseille cannot shell out the money. He is in all probability extra possible
to play extensive for the Black Stars with one other succesful ahead, Majeed
Waris, on the opposite facet.
Within the midfield, there is a related glut of proficient, younger gamers
with Kevin-Prince Boateng, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah
on the rise and prone to study from the expertise of Michael Essien and Sulley
Muntari.
With all that attacking firepower, Ghana’s protection looks like it may
be exploited by the U.S. and the opposite Group G groups, however the actuality
is the unit has grown robust and is commonly the important thing to springing the
Ghanaian assault.
In objective, there aren’t any worldwide Ghanian superstars, however Fatau Dauda, who joined the Orlando Pirates this 12 months, has expertise with the nationwide workforce and is serviceable between the posts. Nonetheless, the switch to the South African facet hasn’t gone as deliberate with Dauda discovering it tough to get off the bench to earn first-team reps. This has precipitated some Ghanians to name his capability to be the workforce’s backstop in Brazil into query.
TACTICS
Ghana usually performs a lone striker up prime, which is able to
possible be Gyan, and places two wingers extensive to assist him within the assault
(often Waris and Andre Ayew). Whether or not within the 4-1-4-1 it performed
in opposition to Egypt or the 4-2-3-1 it additionally utilized in 2013, the workforce depends on
the central midfielders to guard the again line and look to hit on
the counter assault early and infrequently.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
After beating the U.S. within the Spherical of 16 in 2010,
the Ghanians confronted Uruguay in a match finest remembered by Luis Suarez
being despatched off for utilizing his palms to cease Dominic Adiyiah’s header. If the extra-time shot had gone in, Ghana possible would have superior.
As an alternative, the match went to penalties, and
Uruguay gained the penalty shootout, 4-2, to advance.
In 2006, Ghana superior from Group E and was greeted with a match
in opposition to Brazil, which it misplaced 3-0.
The Black Stars have certified for the final three World Cups however had
by no means certified earlier than 2006.
THEY SAID IT
“It is good to satisfy Germany, and likewise USA, who we beat in
Spherical of 16 in 2010. We’re a greater workforce than in 2010 and I am positive
there will likely be lots of surprises on this group. As soon as you’re ready
to go to the World Cup, you should be ready to face any workforce that
comes your means. If you wish to win the World Cup, it is advisable beat all
the groups in your group.” –Kwesi Appiah
“It occurs to us all the time, essentially the most tough group, the Group of
Demise, however we now have a wide variety to rival any workforce. We don’t concern
Germany, Portugal, and even the USA. Ghanaians could be relaxation
assured we are going to qualify and make the nation proud once more. There’s
nice teamwork and coordination amongst us, so we are going to work arduous.”
—Asamoah Gyan
“You may see that needs do come true. It is the draw of my goals. I
cannot wait to face my brother (Jerome, who represents Germany) on the
World Cup. It is going to even be nice to face my Schalke teammate Jermaine
Jones.” —Kevin-Prince Boateng
FORECAST
America faces Ghana first, and should get a end result
in opposition to the Ghanaians. There could possibly be hassle on the flanks for the
People, with some robust matchups posed by the wingers and fullbacks,
however the U.S. is used to taking part in counter-attacking groups.
The strain will likely be heavy on each squads, particularly as each will likely be
determined for all three factors figuring out matches with Portugal and
Germany, along with lengthy stretches of journey, await. Barring
damage to one of many workforce’s main stars, there’s nothing that ideas the
scale massively in both workforce’s favor, and you possibly can see both
advancing out of the group or crashing out with a disappointing exit.
It actually may go both means, and will probably be enjoyable to debate the
attainable situations of every within the six months to return. With that in
thoughts, the match will likely be important for each groups and may present
neutrals with loads of pleasure. It is going to be straightforward on the
impartial followers’ eyes, and it’ll little question be tough on partisan’s nerves.
What do you consider the USA’ probabilities in opposition to Ghana? Inform us under, and maintain an eye fixed out for related portraits of Portugal and Germany over the subsequent 24 hours.
