USA 1-2 Ghana (aet)
Paul Wilson at Royal Bafokeng Stadium
guardian.co.uk,
There could still be time for Africa yet, even if the USA could not beat the clock for a second successive match. The Americans must have thought they had this game in the bag when it entered extra time. They had weathered Ghana's early storm and were looking the side most likely to score, yet although Africa's last remaining representatives are not the most patient or sophisticated of sides, they pack a powerful punch when it matters.
Just as they had done at the start of the game, the Black Stars hit the Stars and Stripes with a devastating early burst in the opening minutes of extra time. Although some nerve-shredding defending late in the extra period gave them every chance, the USA could not come back again once Asamoah Gyan's powerful strike had beaten Tim Howard for a second time. Ghana now go on to face Uruguay in the quarter-finals, and on this showing they may even have a chance, as long as they can tidy up their finishing and learn to score ordinary goals and not just rely on spectacular ones.
"Ghana are a talented team and their coach has them well organised," the USA coach, Bob Bradley, said. "They are capable of moving on." Milovan Rajevac, the Ghana coach, paid tribute to his side's reserves of energy. "We needed strength to go to the end and we found it," he said. "It is fantastic to be in the eight best teams, but our problem over the next six days is an injury to Kevin-Prince Boateng that will have our medical staff working hard, and two players [André Ayew and Jonathan Mensah] suspended through second yellow cards."
Ghana did not manage a goal from open play in their group games – their four points came courtesy of two penalties – yet they lost no time in opening their account in the knockout stage. Just five minutes were on the clock when Boateng dispossessed Ricardo Clark in the centre circle and set off on an impressive run that ended with him punching a low shot past Howard.
If the Americans had been studying Ghana's fairly languid performances against Germany and Australia they would have been surprised at the snap and polish the Africans brought to this game. This time they were up for it; and their plan seemed to be to knock their opponents off the ball at every opportunity. Steve Cherundolo was caught out by Ayew midway through the first half, fouling his man after losing possession and picking up a caution. Ayew took the free-kick himself and powered in a shot that Howard had to punch away.
Michael Bradley managed to bring a save from Richard Kingson at the other end, but found himself heading a clearance over his own bar shortly afterwards. Bradley sent on Maurice Edu after half an hour in an attempt to stiffen the American midfield and cut down the space available to the marauding Boateng.
The Americans produced their most convincing attack of the first half moments after the substitution, Bradley and Clint Dempsey helping release Robbie Findley, who brought a good save from Kingson. The goalkeeper, who had blundered against Australia, looked a lot more confident here, not only stopping shots but safely claiming crosses, although it was Howard who was dealing with the heavier fire.
The USA were foiled by Kingson's best save yet when he smothered Benny Feilhaber's shot. Boateng turned Donovan after a good Ghanaian move and put his shot over the bar, before the Africans had cause to regret their inability to put the game to bed when the USA equalised just past the hour. They could also regret some sloppy defending. Dempsey appeared to be blocked by John Mensah but he cheekily nutmegged the centre-back and made his way into the penalty area, obliging Jonathan Mensah to come across with a poorly timed cover tackle. Donovan stroked the penalty in off a post.
By the final quarter African exuberance was less pronounced and Kingson had to come a long way off his line to save from Jozy Altidore with his foot, another good piece of goalkeeping but an indication of how the match had swung. For most of the second half the USA employed the patient, probing style that has served them so well. They were enjoying the best chances as normal time ran out, with Bradley beating the offside trap but shooting straight at Kingson and Altidore holding off John Mensah to hook a shot wide.
The USA looked the side most likely to see out extra time without mishap, yet in almost a direct repeat of the opening goal they were caught early in the first period by a Ghana goal of surprising energy. If Carlos Bocanegra thought he could muscle Gyan out of the way when a high ball came down the middle he was mistaken. Gyan took the knock, stayed on his feet and accelerated away from the USA captain, beating Howard in the same unstoppable manner Boateng had pioneered.
"If God is with us anything is possible," Ayew said, making light of a second booking that rules him out of the quarter-final. "We fought for the continent. Everyone is very tired now, but we are all proud.
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